What is A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides translation capabilities using the DeepL API.?
This server allows users to translate text between numerous languages, rephrase text, and access all DeepL API features including automatic language detection and formality control. It can be run easily using npm and integrates with Claude Desktop for direct translation capabilities.
Documentation
deepl-mcp-server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides translation capabilities using the DeepL API.
Features
Translate text between numerous languages
Rephrase text using DeepL's capabilities
Access to all DeepL API languages and features
Automatic language detection
Formality control for supported languages
Usage
The easiest way to run this server is to use the npm package without installing anything:
npx deepl-mcp-server
If you want to install this locally, so you can play with it to your heart's content, you can do so using npm:
npm install deepl-mcp-server
Alternately, if you want to contribute, you can clone this repository and install dependencies:
git clone https://github.com/DeepLcom/deepl-mcp-server.git
cd deepl-mcp-server
npm install
Configuration# DeepL API Key
You'll need a DeepL API key to use this server. You can get one by signing up at DeepL API. With a DeepL API Free account you can translate up to 500,000 characters/month for free.
Using with Claude Desktop
This MCP server integrates with Claude Desktop to provide translation capabilities directly in your conversations with Claude.
Configuration Steps
Install Claude Desktop if you haven't already
Create or edit the Claude Desktop configuration file:
On macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
On Windows: %AppData%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
On Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Add the DeepL MCP server configuration. If you want to use the npm package without installing anything, as described above:
If you've pulled down this code, but you haven't done an npm install, or if you just prefer to, you can use npx /{ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_SERVER}/deepl-mcp-server here instead of node /{ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_SERVER}/deepl-mcp-server/src/index.mjs.
Replace {ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_SERVER} with an absolute path to your local copy of this repository - for example, /Users/robotwoman/Code/deepl-mcp-server
Replace {YOUR_API_KEY} with your actual DeepL API key
Restart Claude Desktop
Once configured, Claude will be able to use the DeepL translation tools when needed. You can ask Claude to translate text between languages, and it will use the DeepL API behind the scenes.
Available Tools
This server provides the following tools:
get-source-languages: Get list of available source languages for translation
get-target-languages: Get list of available target languages for translation
translate-text: Translate text to a target language
rephrase-text: Rephrase text in the same or different language
Tool Details# translate-text
This tool translates text between languages using the DeepL API.
Parameters:
text: The text to translate
targetLang: Target language code (e.g., 'en-US', 'de', 'fr')
formality (optional): Controls formality level of the translation:
'less': use informal language
'more': use formal, more polite language
'default': use default formality
'prefer_less': use informal language if available, otherwise default
'prefer_more': use formal language if available, otherwise default
rephrase-text
This tool rephrases text in the same or different language using the DeepL API.
Parameters:
text: The text to rephrase
Supported Languages
The DeepL API supports a wide variety of languages for translation. You can use the get-source-languages and get-target-languages tools to see all currently supported languages.