HTML to PDF in Cursor

Turn HTML files, templates or URLs into PDFs from Cursor's agent with the html-pdf.com remote MCP server. Paste one JSON config and you're done.

Quick answer: add "html-pdf": { "url": "https://html-pdf.com/mcp", "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer hp_live_..." } } under mcpServers in ~/.cursor/mcp.json, then ask the agent "Convert https://example.com to PDF".

One-click install

This is the fastest way to connect. Add html-pdf to Cursor opens Cursor with the server filled in.

Cursor then asks you to log in to html-pdf.com (OAuth), so you don't need to copy a key. New accounts get 100 free credits. Prefer a key in a config file? Follow the steps below instead.

Get an API key

For the manual config you need a key. Get one at https://html-pdf.com/login, or with a single request:

curl -X POST https://html-pdf.com/v1/signup \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"email": "you@example.com"}'

Copy the api_key (shown once), then open the link we email you to confirm your address. That adds 100 free credits, and 1 credit = 1 PDF page.

Connect

This step adds the server to Cursor. Put it in ~/.cursor/mcp.json for all projects, or .cursor/mcp.json for a single project:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "html-pdf": {
      "url": "https://html-pdf.com/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer hp_live_..." }
    }
  }
}

It is a remote Streamable HTTP server, so there is nothing to install. Open Cursor Settings → MCP and check that html-pdf shows a green status and lists html_to_pdf, url_to_pdf, get_credits, buy_credits.

If you put the config in the project, keep the key out of git.

Try it

Once connected, you just ask in plain words. You don't write any code. For example:

• "Render templates/invoice.html with the sample data in fixtures/order.json to a PDF."
• "Convert https://example.com/docs to PDF, A4, with screen styles."
• "Check how my receipt template paginates. Make a PDF and tell me how many pages it has."

You get back a download link (valid 24h), the page count and remaining credits.

Tips

These habits help you iterate on templates without wasting credits.

• Page breaks: use break-before: page between sections and break-inside: avoid on rows and cards that must not split.
• Page numbers: footer_html with <span class="pageNumber"></span> / <span class="totalPages"></span>, plus a bottom margin.
• Iterate on templates: ask the agent to render, check the page count and adjust the CSS. Set max_pages so a broken loop never produces a 500-page PDF. Failed renders are free.
• Production code: ask the agent to call POST https://html-pdf.com/v1/pdf from your backend with the same options.

Troubleshooting

Most issues come from invalid JSON or assets the renderer can't reach.

• Red status in MCP settings: the JSON is invalid, or the Authorization value is missing the Bearer prefix.
• 403 email_not_confirmed: the email behind the key isn't confirmed yet. Click the link we emailed you (it adds the 100 free credits), then try again.
• Images missing in the PDF: local paths like ./logo.png can't be reached. Use absolute https:// URLs or data: URIs.
• Fonts look wrong: load web fonts with an absolute URL (for example Google Fonts) in the HTML <head>.

FAQ

How do I add an MCP server in Cursor?

Add an entry under mcpServers in ~/.cursor/mcp.json (or .cursor/mcp.json per project) with the server url and an Authorization header. Then check for a green status in Cursor Settings → MCP.

Why are images missing from my PDF?

The renderer can't read local files like ./logo.png. Use absolute https:// URLs or data: URIs instead.

Is it free to try?

Yes. Each new account gets 100 free credits once you confirm your email, with no card. 1 credit = 1 PDF page, and failed renders cost nothing.

Do credits expire?

No. Purchased credits never expire. Packs go from $10 for 1,000 credits to $250 for 50,000.

Full reference: API docs · MCP server