> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unstructured.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Unstructured Transform MCP server installation for the IBM Bob Shell

> Learn how to install the Unstructured Transform MCP server into the IBM Bob Shell. You can then point to your files and have Transform start producing partitioned, enriched, chunked, and embedded data based on your files in minutes.

## Requirements

Before you begin, you must have the following:

* An IBM Cloud account. To see if you have an account, [log in to your IBM Cloud account](https://cloud.ibm.com/login). [Create an IBM Cloud account](https://cloud.ibm.com/registration).
* An IBM Bob plan. To see if you have a plan, use the IBMid for your IBM Cloud account to [log in to IBM Bob](https://bob.ibm.com/login).
* The IBM Bob Shell installed on your local development machine. [Install the IBM Bob Shell](https://bob.ibm.com/download).
* Node.js installed on your local development machine. To see if it is, in your terminal, run `node -v` or `node --version`. [Install Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/download).

## Install the Transform MCP server

<Tip>
  You should be able to instruct the IBM Bob Shell to install the Transform MCP server by asking the IBM Bob Shell the following:

  ```text theme={null}
  Install the Unstructured Transform MCP server by using these instructions: 
  https://docs.unstructured.io/transform/install/ibm-bob-shell.md
  ```

  If this does not work, to install the Transform MCP server manually, complete the following steps.

  If you are able to successfully connect, skip ahead to [parse your source files](#parse-your-source-files).
</Tip>

1. Open the IBM Bob Shell's `mcp.json` settings file in a text editor. This file is typically located at:

   * For macOS and Linux: `~/.bob/settings/mcp.json`
   * For Windows: `%APPDATA%\Bob\settings\mcp.json`

2. Add the following entry to the `mcpServers` object:

   ```json theme={null}
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "unstructured-transform": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.transform.unstructured.io"],
         "alwaysAllow": [
           "request_file_upload_url",
           "start_transform_job",
           "check_job_status",
           "get_job_results",
           "start_extraction_job",
           "suggest_extraction_schema_for_file",
           "get_instructions"
         ],
         "disabled": false
       }
     }
   }
   ```

3. Save and close the `mcp.json` file.

4. From your terminal, authenticate with the Transform MCP server:

   ```bash theme={null}
   npx -y mcp-remote https://mcp.transform.unstructured.io
   ```

   A web browser tab will appear, prompting you to authenticate with Transform. Follow the on-screen directions to finish authenticating.

5. After you authenticate, back in your terminal, press `Ctrl + C` to exit and return to your terminal prompt.

6. The Transform MCP server is ready for you to start using.

## Parse your source files

Parsing requests have the following limits:

* Each file must be of a [supported file type](/transform/supported-file-types).
* Each file must be 50 MB or less in size.
* Each request must have 10 files or fewer.
* Only 5 requests can be running at a time.

The Transform MCP server is designed to notify the IBM Bob Shell about these limits. Because of this, the IBM Bob Shell should notify you whenever it encounters a file that exceeds 50 MB in size. Also, the IBM Bob Shell should formulate strategies to send requests that are 10 files or fewer and not cause more than 5 requests to be running at a time.

1. After you install the Transform MCP server, from your terminal, switch to the folder on your local machine that stores the files you want Transform to parse.
2. Start an IBM Bob Shell session by running the `bob` command.
3. If prompted, log in to Bob with your IBM Cloud account.
4. Enter the following prompt:

   ```text theme={null}
   Use the Unstructured Transform MCP server to parse the files in this project.

   Provide the results as JSON files, one JSON file per source file.
   ```

   As needed, adapt the phrase `in this project` in the preceding prompt to indicate a more specific project folder. Also, as needed, guide the IBM Bob Shell as to where to write Transform's output into the project.

   Transform parses your input files and delivers its results to you as a set of output files, one output file per input file.

## Next steps

* [Control Transform file parsing output](/transform/output): Control how the Unstructured Transform MCP server instructs Transform to partition, enrich, chunk, and embed the data based on your files.
* [Control Transform structured data extraction](/transform/sde): Control how the Unstructured Transform MCP server extracts and formats structured data from your files.
* [Control Transform generated sample code](/transform/code): Control how the Unstructured Transform MCP server generates sample curl or Python code that demonstrates how to use Transform to partition, enrich, chunk, and embed the data based on your files.

## Questions? Need help?

* For technical support, [request support](/support/request).