PDF-Tools

MCP server · GitHub · ★ 158 · graded 2026-10-19Source linked

Fill, sign, merge, split, and extract PDFs from Claude Desktop and other MCP hosts. Maintained by the Open Document Alliance.

No outside reports on file

PDF-Tools reads local files; restrict its folder reach, network access, and credentials before installing.

Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 19, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee.

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What it can access

Local filesReads local filesNOTED
Command executionNo shell command runner notedLOW
Network reachLocal or standard API callsLOW
CredentialsNo API token requiredLOW
Package sourceGitHub (Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools)PUBLIC

Inferred from this listing’s public package details and description. Check the project’s source before installing.

Install

No npm or PyPI package is listed. Install from source: github.com/Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools ↗

All setup options ↓

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Everything known

We found nothing about this project in the sources we read (last checked 2026-10-30). That does not mean it has no problems.

0 incidents · 0 advisories · 0 news articles · 0 community threads · checked 2026-10-30

Popularity grade: C (from public signals such as stars and downloads, not a code review). Graded 2026-10-19.

Sources we read: OSV, GitHub Advisory Database, CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities, 44 security news feeds and our incident library. Last checked 2026-10-30.

Check a specific version →

About PDF-Tools

PDF-Tools is an MCP server focused on Files & documents: Fill, sign, merge, split, and extract PDFs from Claude Desktop and other MCP hosts. Maintained by the Open Document Alliance.

It is hosted on GitHub at Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools (158 GitHub stars). Based on its public metadata, its operational scope includes: reads local files.

Setup

These use the package this listing points to. Check the project’s own instructions before running anything.

No npm or PyPI package is listed for this MCP server. Source code and setup steps: github.com/Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools.

Why this grade

CC — Moderate risk signals

Signal-based grade (2/7 points): public source code. This reflects adoption and transparency, not a code review.

Popularity and upkeep

25/100

GitHub stars: 158
Listing last refreshed: 2026-10-29

These are public popularity signals, not a maintenance check. Look at the repository’s commit history and open issues.

Risks to watch for

Local file read access: Reads local documents or database files. Point it only at the specific files needed for the task so sensitive workspace files remain out of reach.
Dependency & version pinning: Distributed via GitHub (Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools). Pin an exact release version or commit SHA rather than floating tags so upstream updates are reviewed first.

How to lower the risk

Least-privilege permissions

Give it access only to the specific folders, accounts or projects it needs, never your whole drive or admin account.
Use a separate, limited API key or login just for this tool so you can switch it off without affecting anything else.

Network isolation

Run it on a work computer or sandbox account, not one holding personal or company-sensitive data.
If your IT team can, limit which websites and services it is allowed to contact.

Monitoring

Check its activity history or logs weekly at first, and look at what it changed or sent.
Turn on alerts for new logins or unusual usage on any account it connects to.

Red flags to watch for

It asks for more access than its job requires, or prompts you to paste passwords.
It suddenly updates with new owners, or starts contacting unfamiliar websites.

Questions

How do I install PDF-Tools?

PDF-Tools does not publish a standalone npm or PyPI package. Clone or follow the setup instructions in its source repository at github.com/Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools.

Are there security reports about PDF-Tools?

No reports found for this package in our research (last checked 2026-10-30). PDF-Tools currently holds Grade C (Moderate risk signals) based on public adoption and transparency signals. Review the permissions and source repository before granting access to local files, shell commands, or API keys.

Is PDF-Tools actively maintained?

PDF-Tools has 158 GitHub stars. Our directory data was last refreshed on 2026-10-29. Check recent commit activity, release tags, and open issues at github.com/Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools before pinning it in production.

What are alternatives to PDF-Tools?

Compare PDF-Tools side by side with similar MCP servers in the Related tools section on this page, or browse all MCP servers on AgentArmorHQ.

Maintain or use PDF-Tools? Show its live grade in your GitHub README, docs site, or run a check from the terminal before you install.

GitHub README Markdown:

markdown

[![AgentArmorHQ Risk Grade for PDF-Tools](https://agentarmorhq.com/api/badge/open-document-alliance-pdf-tools)](https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/open-document-alliance-pdf-tools)

HTML embed:

html

<a href="https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/open-document-alliance-pdf-tools"><img src="https://agentarmorhq.com/api/badge/open-document-alliance-pdf-tools" alt="AgentArmorHQ Risk Grade for PDF-Tools" height="20" /></a>

Terminal check:

terminal

curl -fsSL https://agentarmorhq.com/api/cli | node --input-type=module - check "open-document-alliance-pdf-tools"

Share with your security lead

Need sign-off to use PDF-Tools? Copy this note for Slack, a ticket or a pull request.

### AgentArmorHQ Security Review Memo: PDF-Tools
- **Listing URL:** https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/open-document-alliance-pdf-tools
- **Type:** App connector
- **Risk Grade:** Grade C (Moderate risk signals)
- **Outside Security Advisories on File:** 0
- **Public Adoption:** 158 GitHub stars

#### Permission & Blast-Radius Signals
- **Local files:** Reads local files
- **Command execution:** No shell command runner noted
- **Network reach:** Local or standard API calls
- **Credentials:** No API token required
- **Package source:** GitHub (Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools)

#### Recommended Hardened Setup
- **Source Repo:** https://github.com/Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools
- **Controls:** Pin an exact version in `.mcp.json`, scope access to a single workspace folder, and use a least-privilege read-only token where supported.

_Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 19, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee._

Key facts

Type: App connector
Publisher: Open-Document-Alliance
Source code: github.com/Open-Document-Alliance/PDF-Tools
Est. context load: ~850 tokens / turn (~5 tool schemas, 0.43% of 200k context)
Popularity: 158 GitHub stars
Last updated: 2026-10-29
Last graded: 2026-10-19

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