Cursor + LedgerMCP

Do your bookkeeping in Cursor

Cursor is a capable agent; it just needs a ledger it can operate. LedgerMCP is real double-entry accounting software that connects to Cursor over MCP with one API key. Free to start.

Start free, no cardSee the tools Cursor gets

Cursor, connected

Import ./statements/june.csv and categorize everything.
Imported 84 transactions and categorized 81. Three are flagged for review. Two internal transfers matched so nothing double-counts. Want me to reconcile against the statement balance?

Connect Cursor in three steps

Cursor connects with an API key in an MCP config block, the same shape as Claude Code and Claude Desktop.

  1. 1

    Create an API key

    In LedgerMCP, go to Settings, then Agent access, and mint a key. New accounts are created during sign-in; the key is shown once.

  2. 2

    Add the MCP server to Cursor

    Open Cursor Settings, then MCP, then “Add new MCP server”, and paste the JSON on this page with your key in the Authorization header.

  3. 3

    Confirm the tools loaded

    Cursor lists the LedgerMCP tools once connected. Ask it to “list my businesses” to confirm the key works end to end.

Then keep the books from the editor. Drop a statement CSV into the workspace and ask Cursor to import and categorize it. Everything posts as balanced journal entries you can review in the app. From there Cursor works like staff: you ask in plain language and it calls the tools.

Prefer read-only? Mint a read-only key in Settings → Agent access and use it in the same config. Cursor can run reports and answer questions but cannot write a line to the books.

Connect your agent
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ledgermcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://ledgermcp.com/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer lmcp_YOUR_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Things to ask your editor

Cursor reads statements from your workspace, asks when a category is ambiguous, and posts everything as balanced journal entries. You review its work in the web app.

Under each request, Cursor is calling real MCP tools, the same 66-tool surface documented at /docs.

  • List my businesses and set up books for the consulting one.
  • Split that Costco charge: $180 supplies, $95 meals.
  • Tag everything from Acme LLC as a vendor and show the 1099 total.
  • Run verify_books and tell me if anything is off.

Books next to your code

You already live in Cursor. Keep a client’s or your own books in the same window: drop a CSV into the workspace, ask Cursor to import and categorize, and review the postings without leaving the editor.

Scripted month-end

Because the tools are deterministic and idempotent, a month-end close reads like a runbook: import, categorize, match transfers, reconcile to the bank balance, book depreciation, lock. Re-running is safe.“Close out June: import the statement, reconcile checking to $12,410.22, and lock the month.”

Catch-up in a batch

Behind on books? Feed Cursor a folder of statements. Bulk import dedupes rows and bulk categorize posts each row independently, so one odd transaction never blocks the rest; you review only what it flags.“Work through ./statements month by month and flag anything you are unsure about.”

Read-only analysis

Point a read-only key at your books and let Cursor answer questions without any risk of a write: burn rate, top vendors, category trends, a quick P&L, all from the live postings.“With read-only access, what’s my average monthly profit over the last six months?”

Why an editor agent can be trusted with money

Giving an agent a spreadsheet means trusting it not to make mistakes. Giving it LedgerMCP means it cannot make the expensive ones. The ledger enforces the rules so you do not have to check Cursor’s arithmetic. The full guarantees are on the security page.

Always balanced

Debits equal credits at commit, enforced in Postgres, not hoped for in app code.

Nothing edits history

Postings are immutable for everyone, including us. Corrections are linked reversals.

Retries are harmless

Idempotency keys mean a replayed request returns the original entry, never a duplicate.

Everything reversible

Every write sits in the audit log with a one-click reverse.

Common questions

Can Cursor do bookkeeping?

Yes, once it has a ledger to operate. Connected to LedgerMCP over MCP, Cursor imports statements, posts balanced journal entries, splits transactions, matches transfers, reconciles accounts, and runs reports.

How do I connect Cursor to LedgerMCP?

Mint an API key in Settings → Agent access, then in Cursor open Settings → MCP → “Add new MCP server” and paste the JSON on this page with your key in the Authorization header.

Is this different from connecting Claude?

Only the connection step. claude.ai connects by URL over OAuth; Cursor, Claude Code, and Claude Desktop connect with an API key in an MCP config block.

Can I give Cursor read-only access?

Yes. A read-only key in the same config lets Cursor report on the books without being able to write to them.

Can Cursor break my books?

No. Entries must balance or the database rejects them, and every write lands in the audit log with a one-click reverse.

Do I need to keep Cursor open for the books to work?

No. Cursor is just one client. Your books live on LedgerMCP: use the web app directly, connect Claude or ChatGPT as well, or switch clients entirely. The ledger does not depend on any one agent.

What does it cost?

Free. Unlimited books, CSV import, reports, and the full tool surface cost nothing. Live bank feeds start at $9 per month pooled across all your books, and the Growth and Scale plans include a built-in AI assistant.

Keep the books from Cursor

One API key connects the editor to your books.

Start free, no cardRead the docs