# Setup

> Set up BankMCP™ locally

- Skill: `noskillish/setup` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add noskillish/setup`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/noskillish/setup/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: noskillish (https://skillmd.com/u/noskillish)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/noskillish/setup

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# Set up BankMCP™ locally

You are guiding one person through running BankMCP™ on their own machine. Do the steps in order, one at a time, and confirm each before the next. Run commands yourself where you can; ask the user to do the parts that need their browser or their bank login. Do not guess values; read them from command output.

## 1. Node

Run `node --version`. BankMCP needs 24 or newer. If it is older or missing, tell the user to install the current LTS from https://nodejs.org and stop until it is done.

## 2. Register the server with Claude Code

Run:

```
claude mcp add --scope user bankmcp -- npx -y bankmcp
```

Then tell the user to restart Claude Code (or run `/mcp`) so the `bankmcp` tools appear. Wait for them to confirm the tools are listed.

## 3. Find the setup page

Call any BankMCP tool, for example `list_accounts`. On a fresh install it answers with a localhost address such as `https://localhost:8080`. Give the user that exact address and tell them:

- their browser will warn about a self-signed certificate on localhost; they should continue past it, it is the server they just started;
- the page lists four values for Enable Banking's form, each with a Copy button.

## 4. Enable Banking application

Tell the user to open https://enablebanking.com/cp/applications in another tab, create an account if needed, and add an application:

- Environment: **Production** for real accounts, **Sandbox** to try with test data.
- Paste the redirect URL, description, privacy URL and terms URL from the setup page.
- Keep "generate private key" selected. On Save a `.pem` file downloads once; the application id (a UUID) is shown after saving.

For Production, mention that the application starts Inactive and that clicking **Activate by linking accounts** and logging in at their bank is what activates it for their own accounts.

## 5. Finish the setup page

Back on the localhost page: paste the application id, choose the downloaded `.pem`, set the country, click Finish setup. The page turns into a status page. Confirm with the user.

## 6. Connect the first bank

Call `list_banks` with the user's country and let them pick. Call `start_consent` with the exact bank name and give them the URL. They log in at the bank and land on a "Bank connected" page. Then call `list_accounts` and show what got linked. Offer labels with `set_account_label`.

## If something fails

- Tool says "not set up yet" after setup: the server may need a restart; run `/mcp` and reconnect `bankmcp`.
- "redirect_uri" errors from Enable Banking: the redirect URL on the application must be exactly the one the setup page showed, including `https://` and the port.
- Port in use: set `PORT` for the server (for example `claude mcp add --scope user -e PORT=8085 bankmcp -- npx -y bankmcp`) and register the matching redirect URL.