Lightning Enable MCP Server
An open-source MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI agents to make Lightning Network payments. All tools are free — no license or subscription required.
Available in .NET and Python.
What It Does
Give your AI agent a Lightning wallet and it can:
- Pay invoices — Send Bitcoin via Lightning to any BOLT11 invoice
- Access L402 APIs — Automatically pay L402 challenges for seamless API access
- Track spending — Budget limits, payment history, and balance checks
- Create invoices — Generate invoices to receive payments
- Exchange currency — Convert USD/BTC (Strike wallet)
Quick Install
# .NET
dotnet tool install -g LightningEnable.Mcp
# Python
pip install lightning-enable-mcp
# Python (no install)
uvx lightning-enable-mcp
# Docker
docker pull refinedelement/lightning-enable-mcp:latest
Claude Desktop Config
Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:
.NET:
{
"mcpServers": {
"lightning-enable": {
"command": "dotnet",
"args": ["tool", "run", "lightning-enable-mcp"],
"env": {
"STRIKE_API_KEY": "your-strike-api-key"
}
}
}
}
Python:
{
"mcpServers": {
"lightning-enable": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["lightning-enable-mcp"],
"env": {
"STRIKE_API_KEY": "your-strike-api-key"
}
}
}
}
Config file locations:
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Linux:
~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Supported Wallets
| Wallet | Setup | L402 Support |
|---|---|---|
| Strike | API key | Yes |
| LND | REST + macaroon | Yes (guaranteed) |
| NWC (CoinOS) | Connection string | Yes |
| NWC (CLINK) | Connection string | Yes |
| NWC (Alby) | Connection string | Untested |
| OpenNode | API key | No (no preimage) |
Try It: Lightning Enable Store
The Lightning Enable Store is a live L402-powered web store. Ask Claude:
Buy me a Lightning Enable t-shirt from store.lightningenable.com
Documentation
- .NET README — Full .NET documentation
- Python README — Full Python documentation
- Full Docs — Complete guide with all 13 tools
- AI Spending Security — Budget controls and safety
Repository Structure
lightning-enable-mcp/
├── dotnet/
│ ├── src/LightningEnable.Mcp/ # .NET MCP server
│ ├── tests/LightningEnable.Mcp.Tests/ # .NET tests
│ └── LightningEnable.Mcp.sln # Solution file
├── python/
│ └── lightning-enable-mcp/ # Python MCP server
├── .github/workflows/publish-mcp.yml # CI/CD
├── LICENSE # MIT
└── README.md # This file
License
MIT — see LICENSE.
Links
- Lightning Enable — Payment enablement middleware
- Documentation — Full docs
- Store — Live L402 demo
- NuGet — .NET package
- PyPI — Python package
- Docker Hub — Docker image