Today we’re announcing Alpaca's MCP Server, empowering Trading API users to leverage AI in their workflows. Alpaca’s MCP Server allows traders to research the market, analyze data, and place orders using natural language across AI interfaces and coding tools like ChatGPT, VSCode, Cursor, Claude, Gemini CLI. Users can now extract insights and act on them faster across multiple asset classes, including US equities, options, and crypto—all through a single unified interface.
Whether you’re new to trading or an experienced developer, Alpaca’s MCP Server lowers the barrier to programmatic trading and can help optimize advanced workflows. The Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server is available across devices including laptops, desktops, and mobile phones.
What Is an MCP Server?
AI agents are getting smarter, but connecting them to real trading tools can still be complex. Many trading setups require multiple APIs, custom logic, and manual integration.
The MCP optimizes this by giving AI a standard way to access real data and execute real actions, essentially acting as a bridge. It exposes the tools and information you choose, and the AI agent interacts with them through a structured and safe protocol. No juggling SDKs. No complicated authentication flow. The server presents everything the agent is allowed to use in a clean, predictable format.
Why Alpaca’s MCP Server Matters for Traders
Alpaca’s MCP Server brings this same bridge-like concept to trading by exposing capabilities powered by Alpaca’s Trading API, including:
- Market data, both historical and live
- Order actions such as entry, change, and cancel
- Portfolio details like positions, buying power, and unrealized P/L
- Optional automation like alerts or risk checks
This helps users accelerate their research, streamline decision making, and support efficient trade execution, helping users capitalize on potential market opportunities more efficiently.
Reinforced Decisions, Transparent Execution
Trading decisions often begin with pulling and analyzing clear information. The MCP Server gives your AI model structured access to real time market data, news context, portfolio details, and order actions powered by Alpaca’s Trading API. Instead of acting on its own, the AI assistants help surface relevant insights, organize information, and prepare the actions you ask for.
When it executes a task, you see the inputs, parameters, and results, helping you stay informed and in control with full visibility at every step.
Example Prompts:
- Generate a list of healthcare related large cap stocks names and compare their daily change using Alpaca’s snapshot data
- Analyze NVDA quarterly news, their next corporate announcement, summarize last month P&L on my account, and then use 2% notional to buy shares
- How has my portfolio performed daily this week?
One Interface for Many Markets
Trading often spans several asset classes, but switching between tools, dashboards, and context can slow everything down. Alpaca’s MCP Server brings equities, ETFs, crypto, and multi-leg options into one workflow and interface. This allows an AI agent to research, analyze, and help execute trading ideas without switching between platforms or juggling APIs.
Example Prompts:
- Use 3% of my purchasing power to buy SPY with a limit 2% below the current price
- Compare BTC and ETH performance and their correlation over the past month using live + historical market data
- Build a multi-leg options spread algorithm for AAPL and explain the theoretical max profit and loss
For more examples of how to develop prompts for options trading, read our “Vibe Coding Tutorial: How to Build Options Trading Algorithms with Alpaca’s MCP Server & Cursor AI” guide.
Code-Optional, Extensible by Design
Alpaca’s MCP Server lets traders begin with natural language prompts and move into vibe coding or full code whenever they want to optimize strategies. For example, you can start with simple prompts for research and execution, then shift into code for custom logic, automation, or trading bot workflows.
As your workflow grows, you can connect the MCP Server alongside other MCP servers through an MCP-compatible client like VS Code, Cursor, or Claude Code. This allows traders to combine multiple toolsets inside one interface.
Example Prompts:
- Create a Python script that implements an automated bull call spread trading algorithm (Debit Spread) using Alpaca's MCP Server.
- Create a Python script that runs a mean reversion strategy using Bollinger Bands and the Z score of SPY’s price, using Alpaca's MCP Server.
Important Considerations When Trading with Alpaca’s MCP Server
Using Alpaca’s MCP Server introduces a few important considerations:
- Make sure your Alpaca API keys are linked to the correct account type such as live or paper.
- Some AI tools (MCP clients) may require a paid subscription if you use the MCP Server frequently.
- Review and confirm orders directly on your Alpaca dashboard. You can do this in real time to ensure accuracy before or after submitting trades.
Getting Started
With Alpaca’s MCP Server, you can log in to your Trading API account (or sign up), then set it up with the AI interface of your choice. Both new and existing traders can learn more through Alpaca’s MCP Server tutorials:
- How to Deploy Alpaca’s MCP Server Remotely On Claude Mobile App
- Vibe Coding Tutorial: How to Build Options Trading Algorithms with Alpaca’s MCP Server & Cursor AI (and YouTube Video)
- How to Build an MCP-Based Trading Workflow with Claude, Alpaca's Trading API, and Google Sheets
Still have questions? Learn more in our API documentation or contact us at [email protected].
Insights generated by our MCP server and connected AI agents are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice. Alpaca does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Past performance from models does not guarantee future results. Please conduct your own due diligence before making any decisions. All firms mentioned operate independently and are not liable for one another.
The content of this article is for general informational purposes only. All examples are for educational and illustrative purposes only.
Options trading is not suitable for all investors due to its inherent high risk, which can potentially result in significant losses. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing.
Fractional share trading allows a customer to buy and sell fractional share quantities and dollar amounts of certain securities. Fractional share trading presents unique risks and is subject to particular limitations that you should be aware of before engaging in such activity. See Alpaca Customer Agreement at https://alpaca.markets/disclosures for more details.
All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit, or protect against loss. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities, or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.
Securities brokerage services are provided by Alpaca Securities LLC ("Alpaca Securities"), member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Technology and services are offered by AlpacaDB, Inc.
Cryptocurrency is highly speculative in nature, involves a high degree of risks, such as volatile market price swings, market manipulation, flash crashes, and cybersecurity risks. Cryptocurrency regulations are continuously evolving, and it is your responsibility to understand and abide by them. Cryptocurrency trading can lead to large, immediate and permanent loss of financial value. You should have appropriate knowledge and experience before engaging in cryptocurrency trading. For additional information, please click here.
Cryptocurrency services are made available by Alpaca Crypto LLC ("Alpaca Crypto"), a FinCEN registered money services business (NMLS # 2160858), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AlpacaDB, Inc. Alpaca Crypto is not a member of SIPC or FINRA. Cryptocurrencies are not stocks and your cryptocurrency investments are not protected by either FDIC or SIPC. Please see the Disclosure Library for more information.
AlpacaDB, Inc., the parent company of Alpaca Securities LLC and Alpaca Crypto LLC, provides services and technology, including the brokerage infrastructure API supporting Alpaca’s financial services. This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or cryptocurrencies or open a brokerage account or cryptocurrency account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca Securities or Alpaca Crypto, respectively, are not registered or licensed, as applicable.
