get started

two tracks.
one local server.

Choose the path that matches how you want to set up affiliate-mcp. Both keep your credentials and affiliate data on your machine.

track 1 · non-technical

claude desktop .mcpb

Install the host-native extension. Claude owns the runtime, configuration, and secure credential fields, so no Node.js, terminal, or separate setup app is required.

Secure setup fields currently cover Awin, CJ, Impact, and Partnerize. Adding other networks uses the technical track until portable browser setup ships.

follow the .mcpb track ▾
track 2 · technical

cli + local stdio

Use the complete setup wizard, test your credentials, then connect through a host-native package, CLI installer, or local stdio configuration.

follow the technical track ▾
good to know

there is no token to paste

On both these local tracks your affiliate credentials are API keys, entered once into Claude Desktop's secure fields or the setup wizard, and stored on your machine. You never copy a connection token into Claude's settings. The hosted tier works the same way — you connect Claude to it with a browser sign-in, not a pasted token — and it is a separate, optional product, not required to use affiliate-mcp locally.

The standalone Electron/DMG setup app is a fixes-only compatibility fallback for existing macOS users, not a third primary track. Existing desktop-app users →

non-technical track: the claude desktop extension

No terminal, no Node.js, no config files, and no connection token to paste. Claude Desktop installs the local server, stores your keys in its own secure fields, and wires everything up.

01

download the extension

One file, .mcpb. It contains the whole local server.

download the Claude extension ▸
02

install it in claude desktop

Open Claude Desktop, then Settings → Extensions → Advanced settings → Install Extension… and pick the file you just downloaded. Claude owns installation, permissions, and secret storage from here.

03

enter your network keys

During install, Claude Desktop shows secure fields for your API credentials and stores them in your operating system's keychain. This is where your keys go: not into a chat box, and not as a pasted token.

Guided fields currently cover Awin, CJ, Impact, and Partnerize. For any other network, run the technical track once and point the extension at that config, until portable browser setup ships.

04

restart, then ask

Claude only loads new tools when it starts. Fully quit Claude Desktop, reopen it, start a fresh chat, and ask "what affiliate networks do you have access to?"

see what you can ask ▸
00

technical track: what you need

node 20+

A free runtime. Grab it from nodejs.org if you don't have it.

your logins

The accounts you already use for the affiliate networks you're on. Nothing new to sign up for.

claude or codex

Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Codex installed. That's where you'll ask the questions.

01

run the setup wizard

Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows), paste the line, press enter. It walks you through one network at a time and shows exactly where to find each login.

terminal
$ npx affiliate-networks-mcp setup ? which network? Awin ? which side? publisher ? paste your API token •••••••••••• checking against Awin… ok ✓ publisher id 123456 found ? add another network? no saved → ~/.affiliate-mcp/.env (mode 0600, your machine only)
02

check it's wired up

One line per network: ok for healthy, or a plain reason if something's off.

terminal
$ npx affiliate-networks-mcp test Awin ok CJ Affiliate ok Rakuten error — token expired, re-run setup
03

connect it to your ai

Pick a shipped client path. The wizard offers these automatically at the end, too.

terminal
?

client support states

  • shipped + testedClaude Desktop .mcpb, Claude Desktop CLI/manual config, Claude Code, and Codex have repository-owned setup paths and automated validation. This does not claim live proof against every host version. The .mcpb is the primary non-technical path.
  • partially shippedClaude Cowork uses a private-mirror flow and requires org-admin follow-through.
  • possible, untestedCursor, VS Code, and generic local MCP clients can be compatible with the local stdio server, but do not yet have a tested first-party setup journey here.
  • planned, not shippedPortable browser credential setup and a remote HTTPS MCP path for ChatGPT require separate reviewed implementation. ChatGPT cannot use the local stdio server directly.
04

ask it anything

Open a new conversation and check it's connected. You should see every network you set up.

what you'll see
Claude affiliate · connected
what affiliate networks do you have access to?

You're connected to 3 networks:

Awin · publisherCJ Affiliate · publisherRakuten · publisher

Ask me anything — earnings, pending commissions, link audits, or a report.

?

stuck?

  • "…returns nothing"The server's loaded but credentials are missing. Ask "help me set up my affiliate network credentials", or re-run npx affiliate-networks-mcp setup.
  • "unknown skill: plugin"The plugin commands are shell commands, not chat. Run them in your terminal, not inside the conversation.
  • stale versionForce a fresh fetch with npx --yes affiliate-networks-mcp@latest.