How to integrate Shipengine MCP with Claude Code

Manage your Shipengine directly from Claude Code with zero worries about OAuth hassles, API-breaking issues, or reliability and security concerns. You can do this in two different ways: Via Composio Connect - Direct and easiest approach Via Composio SDK - Programmatic approach with more control

Shipengine logoShipengine
Api Key

ShipEngine is a shipping API that connects with multiple carriers to manage shipments, labels, and tracking. Streamline your shipping process and reduce manual effort with one unified tool.

66 Tools

Introduction

Manage your Shipengine directly from Claude Code with zero worries about OAuth hassles, API-breaking issues, or reliability and security concerns.

You can do this in two different ways:

  1. Via Composio Connect - Direct and easiest approach
  2. Via Composio SDK - Programmatic approach with more control

Also integrate Shipengine with

Why use Composio?

  • Only one MCP URL to connect multiple apps with Claude Code with zero auth hassles.
  • Programmatic tool calling allows LLMs to write its code in a remote workbench to handle complex tool chaining. Reduces to-and-fro with LLMs for frequent tool calling.
  • Handling Large tool responses out of LLM context to minimize context rot.
  • Dynamic just-in-time access to 20,000 tools across 1000+ other Apps for cross-app workflows. It loads the tools you need, so LLMs aren't overwhelmed by tools you don't need.

Connecting Shipengine to Claude Code using Composio

1. Add the Composio MCP to Claude

Terminal

2. Start Claude Code

bash
claude

3. Open your MCP list

bash
/mcp

4. Select Composio and click on Authenticate

Select Composio and click Authenticate

5. This will redirect you to the Composio OAuth page. Complete the flow by authorizing Composio and you're all set.

Composio OAuth authorization page
Composio authorization complete
Ask Claude to connect to your account and authenticate via the link

What is the Shipengine MCP server, and what's possible with it?

The Shipengine MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that connects your AI agent and assistants like Claude, Cursor, etc directly to your Shipengine account. It provides structured and secure access to your shipping operations, so your agent can perform actions like generating shipping labels, tracking packages, validating addresses, and managing carrier integrations on your behalf.

  • Automated label creation and management: Instantly generate, purchase, and void shipping labels across multiple carriers, letting your agent streamline fulfillment without manual entry.
  • Real-time package tracking: Ask your agent to track shipments by carrier or tracking number to get up-to-date delivery statuses and shipment histories.
  • Address validation and correction: Have your agent validate and standardize shipment addresses to prevent delivery errors and reduce returns.
  • Carrier rate comparison: Enable your agent to fetch and compare real-time shipping rates from all connected carriers, helping you save on delivery costs.
  • Shipping manifest and batch processing: Let your agent generate manifests or process batches of shipments in a single command, making high-volume shipping fast and efficient.

Connecting Shipengine via Composio SDK

Composio SDK is the underlying tech that powers Rube. It's a universal gateway that does everything Rube does but with much more programmatic control. You can programmatically generate an MCP URL with the app you need (here Shipengine) for even more tool search precision. It's secure and reliable.

How the Composio SDK works

The Composio SDK follows a three-phase workflow:

  1. Discovery: Searches for tools matching your task and returns relevant toolkits with their details.
  2. Authentication: Checks for active connections. If missing, creates an auth config and returns a connection URL via Auth Link.
  3. Execution: Executes the action using the authenticated connection.

Step-by-step Guide

Step by step10 STEPS
1

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:
  • Claude Pro, Max, or API billing enabled Anthropic account
  • Composio API Key
  • A Shipengine account
  • Basic knowledge of Python or TypeScript
2

Install Claude Code

bash
# macOS, Linux, WSL
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

# Windows PowerShell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

# Windows CMD
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

To install Claude Code, use one of the following methods based on your operating system:

3

Set up Claude Code

bash
cd your-project-folder
claude

Open a terminal, go to your project folder, and start Claude Code:

  • Claude Code will open in your terminal
  • Follow the prompts to sign in with your Anthropic account
  • Complete the authentication flow
  • Once authenticated, you can start using Claude Code
Claude Code initial setup showing sign-in prompt
Claude Code terminal after successful login
4

Set up environment variables

bash
COMPOSIO_API_KEY=your_composio_api_key_here
USER_ID=your_user_id_here

Create a .env file in your project root with the following variables:

  • COMPOSIO_API_KEY authenticates with Composio (get it from Composio dashboard)
  • USER_ID identifies the user for session management (use any unique identifier)
5

Install Composio library

npm install @composio/core dotenv

Install the Composio TypeScript library to create MCP sessions.

  • @composio/core provides the core Composio functionality
  • dotenv loads environment variables from your .env file
6

Generate Composio MCP URL

import 'dotenv/config';
import { Composio } from '@composio/core';

const { COMPOSIO_API_KEY, USER_ID } = process.env;

if (!COMPOSIO_API_KEY || !USER_ID) {
  throw new Error('COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID required in .env');
}

const composioClient = new Composio({ apiKey: COMPOSIO_API_KEY });

const composioSession = await composioClient.create(USER_ID, {
  toolkits: ['shipengine'],
});

const composioMcpUrl = composioSession?.mcp.url;

console.log(`MCP URL: ${composioMcpUrl}`);
console.log(`\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:`);
console.log(`claude mcp add --transport http shipengine-composio "${composioMcpUrl}" --headers "X-API-Key:${COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"`);

Create a script to generate a Composio MCP URL for Shipengine. This URL will be used to connect Claude Code to Shipengine.

What's happening

  • We import the Composio client and load environment variables
  • Create a Composio instance with your API key
  • Call create() to create a Tool Router session for Shipengine
  • The returned mcp.url is the MCP server URL that Claude Code will use
  • The script prints this URL so you can copy it
7

Run the script and copy the MCP URL

node --loader ts-node/esm generate_mcp_url.ts
# or if using tsx
tsx generate_mcp_url.ts

Run your TypeScript script to generate the MCP URL.

  • The script connects to Composio and creates a Tool Router session
  • It prints the MCP URL and the exact command you need to run
  • Copy the entire claude mcp add command from the output
8

Add Shipengine MCP to Claude Code

bash
claude mcp add --transport http shipengine-composio "YOUR_MCP_URL_HERE" --headers "X-API-Key:YOUR_COMPOSIO_API_KEY"

# Then restart Claude Code
exit
claude

In your terminal, add the MCP server using the command from the previous step. The command format is:

  • claude mcp add registers a new MCP server with Claude Code
  • --transport http specifies that this is an HTTP-based MCP server
  • The server name (shipengine-composio) is how you'll reference it
  • The URL points to your Composio Tool Router session
  • --headers includes your Composio API key for authentication

After running the command, close the current Claude Code session and start a new one for the changes to take effect.

9

Verify the installation

bash
claude mcp list

Check that your Shipengine MCP server is properly configured.

  • This command lists all MCP servers registered with Claude Code
  • You should see your shipengine-composio entry in the list
  • This confirms that Claude Code can now access Shipengine tools

If everything is wired up, you should see your shipengine-composio entry listed:

Claude Code MCP list showing the toolkit MCP server
10

Authenticate Shipengine

The first time you try to use Shipengine tools, you'll be prompted to authenticate.

  • Claude Code will detect that you need to authenticate with Shipengine
  • It will show you an authentication link
  • Open the link in your browser (or copy/paste it)
  • Complete the Shipengine authorization flow
  • Return to the terminal and start using Shipengine through Claude Code

Once authenticated, you can ask Claude Code to perform Shipengine operations in natural language. For example:

  • "Generate shipping label for new order"
  • "Track status of outgoing packages"
  • "Validate customer address before shipping"

Complete Code

Here's the complete code to get you started with Shipengine and Claude Code:

import 'dotenv/config';
import { Composio } from '@composio/core';

const { COMPOSIO_API_KEY, USER_ID } = process.env;

if (!COMPOSIO_API_KEY || !USER_ID) {
  throw new Error('COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID required in .env');
}

const composioClient = new Composio({ apiKey: COMPOSIO_API_KEY });

const composioSession = await composioClient.create(USER_ID, {
  toolkits: ['shipengine'],
});

const composioMcpUrl = composioSession?.mcp.url;

console.log(`MCP URL: ${composioMcpUrl}`);
console.log(`\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:`);
console.log(`claude mcp add --transport http shipengine-composio "${composioMcpUrl}" --headers "X-API-Key:${COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"`);

Conclusion

You've successfully integrated Shipengine with Claude Code using Composio's MCP server. Now you can interact with Shipengine directly from your terminal using natural language commands.

Key features of this setup:

  • Terminal-native experience without switching contexts
  • Natural language commands for Shipengine operations
  • Secure authentication through Composio's managed MCP
  • Tool Router for dynamic tool discovery and execution

Next steps:

  • Try asking Claude Code to perform various Shipengine operations
  • Add more toolkits to your Tool Router session for multi-app workflows
  • Integrate this setup into your development workflow for increased productivity

You can extend this by adding more toolkits, implementing custom workflows, or building automation scripts that leverage Claude Code's capabilities.

TOOLS

Supported Tools

Every Shipengine action and event your agent gets out of the box.

Add Tag to Shipment

Tool to add a tag to a shipment for organization and filtering.

Add to Batch

Tool to add shipments or rate IDs to an existing batch.

Cancel Shipment

Tool to cancel a shipment by ID.

Connect LTL Carrier

Tool to connect an LTL carrier account to ShipEngine.

Connect Shipsurance Account

Tool to connect a Shipsurance insurance account to ShipEngine.

Create Account Image

Tool to create a new account image in ShipEngine.

Create Package Type

Tool to create a custom package type definition in ShipEngine.

Create Tag

Tool to create a new tag in ShipEngine.

Create Tag 2

Tool to create a new tag for organizing shipments.

Create Warehouse

Tool to create a new warehouse.

Create Webhook

Tool to create a ShipEngine webhook.

Delete Account Image by ID

Tool to delete a ShipEngine account image by its ID.

Delete Batch

Tool to delete a batch by ID.

Delete Package

Tool to delete a custom package type by ID.

Delete Warehouse

Tool to delete a warehouse from your ShipEngine account.

Delete Webhook

Tool to delete a ShipEngine webhook subscription.

Disconnect Carrier

Tool to disconnect a carrier account from ShipEngine.

Disconnect Shipsurance

Tool to disconnect a Shipsurance insurance account from ShipEngine.

Download File

Tool to download a file from ShipEngine.

Get Account Image by ID

Tool to retrieve account image settings by label image ID.

Get Batch by External ID

Tool to retrieve batch details using an external batch ID.

Get Batch by ID

Tool to retrieve detailed information about a specific batch by its ID.

Get Batch Errors

Tool to retrieve errors that occurred during batch processing.

Get Bulk Rates

Tool to get shipping rates for multiple shipments in a single request.

Get Insurance Balance

Tool to retrieve the current Shipsurance insurance funds balance.

Get LTL Carrier Credential Requirements

Tool to retrieve credential requirements for connecting an LTL carrier.

Get LTL Carrier Features

Tool to retrieve features supported by an LTL carrier.

Get LTL Carrier Options

Tool to list available options/accessorials for an LTL carrier.

Get LTL Carrier Packages

Tool to list available package/handling unit types for an LTL (Less Than Truckload) carrier.

Get LTL Carrier Services

Tool to list available services for an LTL carrier.

Get Package by ID

Tool to get details of a specific custom package type by ID.

Get Shipment by External ID

Tool to retrieve shipment details using an external shipment ID.

Get Shipment by ID

Tool to retrieve a shipment by ID.

Get Shipment Rates

Tool to retrieve shipping rates for an existing shipment.

Get Tracking Information

Tool to retrieve tracking information for a shipment.

Get Warehouse by ID

Tool to retrieve details of a specific warehouse by ID.

Get Webhook by ID

Tool to retrieve details of a specific webhook by ID.

List Account Images

Tool to list all account images.

List Account Settings

Tool to list all account settings for the ShipEngine account.

List Batches (v2)

Tool to list all batches with comprehensive filtering options.

List Carrier Package Types

Tool to list all available package types for a specific carrier.

List Labels (Extended)

Tool to list all shipping labels with comprehensive filtering options.

List LTL Carriers

Tool to list all LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) carrier accounts connected to your ShipEngine account.

List Manifests (Advanced)

Tool to list all manifests with optional filtering by warehouse and carrier.

List Packages

Tool to list all package types.

List Scheduled Pickups

Tool to list all scheduled pickups with optional filters.

List Shipments (v2)

Tool to list all shipments with optional filtering parameters.

List Tags (v2)

Tool to list all tags in your account.

List Warehouses

Tool to list all warehouses.

List Webhook Events

Retrieve a list of available webhook event types supported by ShipEngine.

List Webhooks

Tool to list all webhooks configured on your account.

Parse Address

Tool to parse unstructured address text and extract structured address components.

Process Batch Labels

Tool to process a batch to create and purchase shipping labels for all shipments in the batch.

Remove From Batch

Tool to remove shipments or rate IDs from a batch.

Remove Tag from Shipment

Tool to remove a tag from a shipment.

Start Tracking Package

Tool to subscribe to tracking updates for a package via webhooks.

Stop Tracking Package

Tool to unsubscribe from tracking updates for a package.

Track LTL Shipment

Tool to track an LTL shipment using carrier code and PRO number.

Update Account Image By ID

Tool to update an account image by ID in ShipEngine.

Update LTL Connection

Tool to update LTL carrier connection credentials in ShipEngine.

Update Package Type

Tool to update an existing custom package type definition.

Update Shipment

Tool to update an existing shipment's details.

Update Shipments Tags

Tool to update tags on one or more shipments in bulk.

Update Warehouse

Tool to update an existing warehouse's details and address.

Update Webhook

Tool to update a ShipEngine webhook.

Validate Address

Tool to validate and normalize shipping addresses.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

With a standalone Shipengine MCP server, the agents and LLMs can only access a fixed set of Shipengine tools tied to that server. However, with the Composio Tool Router, agents can dynamically load tools from Shipengine and many other apps based on the task at hand, all through a single MCP endpoint.

Yes, you can. Claude Code fully supports MCP integration. You get structured tool calling, message history handling, and model orchestration while Tool Router takes care of discovering and serving the right Shipengine tools.

Yes, absolutely. You can configure which Shipengine scopes and actions are allowed when connecting your account to Composio. You can also bring your own OAuth credentials or API configuration so you keep full control over what the agent can do.

All sensitive data such as tokens, keys, and configuration is fully encrypted at rest and in transit. Composio is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and follows strict security practices so your Shipengine data and credentials are handled as safely as possible.

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