LlamaParse MCP — Usage Guide

Authentication

All tools require a valid session. If a tool call returns an authentication error, ask the user to re-authenticate before retrying. Do not retry automatically without prompting the user.

Uploading a File

Every operation (parse, classify, split) requires a fileId obtained by uploading first. There are two upload paths — choose based on where the file lives:

• File accessible via URL — use uploadFileByUrl. Pass the direct download URL and a descriptive file name. This is the preferred path when the user shares a link.
• Local or binary file — call getUploadUrl first to obtain a pre-signed upload URL and token, then POST the file to the returned endpoint. The token is valid for 10 minutes; complete the upload before it expires.

For getUploadUrl, always set purpose to match the intended downstream operation ('parse', 'classify', 'split', etc.) so the server can apply the right storage policy.

Choosing What to Do with a File

Once you have a fileId, pick the tool that matches the user's goal: