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Exa MCP Server 🔍

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Claude can perform Web Search | Exa with MCP (Model Context Protocol)

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Overview

Exa MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude to perform web searches using Exa's powerful search API, providing real-time web information safely.

To use the server, first ensure you have Node.js and Claude Desktop installed, along with an Exa API key. Clone the repository, install dependencies, build the project, and configure Claude Desktop to recognize the server.

  • Enables web searches using natural language queries via AI assistants - Structured search results with titles, URLs, and content snippets - Error handling and rate limiting management - Full TypeScript implementation ensuring type safety
  1. Performing advanced web searches for recent developments (e.g., in AI or quantum computing).
  2. Summarizing news about specific topics like artificial intelligence startups.
  3. Finding and analyzing research papers on various subjects.

Add to your AI client

Use these steps to connect Exa MCP Server 🔍 in Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and other MCP-compatible apps. The same JSON appears in the Use with menu above for one-click copy.

Cursor

Add this to your .cursor/mcp.json file in your project root, then restart Cursor.

.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa-mcp-server-exa-labs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-exa-mcp-server-exa-labs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop

Add this server entry to the mcpServers object in your Claude Desktop config, then restart the app.

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa-mcp-server-exa-labs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-exa-mcp-server-exa-labs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Add this to your project's .mcp.json file. Claude Code will detect it automatically.

.mcp.json (project root)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa-mcp-server-exa-labs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-exa-mcp-server-exa-labs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (Copilot)

Add this to your .vscode/mcp.json file. Requires the GitHub Copilot extension with MCP support enabled.

.vscode/mcp.json

{
  "servers": {
    "exa-mcp-server-exa-labs": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-exa-mcp-server-exa-labs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Windsurf

Add this to your Windsurf MCP config file, then restart Windsurf.

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa-mcp-server-exa-labs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-exa-mcp-server-exa-labs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Cline

Open Cline settings, navigate to MCP Servers, and add this server configuration.

Cline MCP Settings (via UI)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa-mcp-server-exa-labs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-exa-mcp-server-exa-labs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

**How do I configure Claude Desktop with the Exa MCP Server?**

You need to add the Exa server configuration in the Claude Desktop settings and restart the application.

**What should I do if I encounter a 'Server Not Found' error?**

Ensure npm link is set up correctly, check the Claude Desktop configuration syntax, and confirm that Node.js is properly installed.

**Is there documentation available for troubleshooting?**

Yes, you can review the [MCP Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) for help.7:["$","div",null,{"className":"container mx-auto flex flex-col gap-4","children":["$L26","$L27",["$","$L28",null,{"currentProject":{"id":83,"uuid":"ed4bc42b-4e13-4799-8378-c261c4ee7e16","name":"exa-mcp-server","title":"Exa MCP Server 🔍","description":"Claude can perform Web Search | Exa with MCP (Model Context Protocol)","avatar_url":"https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/77906174?v=4","created_at":"2024-12-13T09:00:31.728Z","updated_at":"2024-12-13T09:35:58.690Z","status":"created","author_name":"exa-labs","author_avatar_url":"https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/77906174?v=4","tags":"[]","category":"research-and-data","is_featured":false,"sort":1,"url":"https://github.com/exa-labs/exa-mcp-server","target":"_self","content":"$29","summary":"$2a","img_url":"https://camo.githubusercontent.com/f464cd2b8c38d1af3f43520ae0a56ac77c2561572bd59ebe2d4807710e854af5/68747470733a2f2f62616467652e667572792e696f2f6a732f6578612d6d63702d7365727665722e737667","type":null,"metadata":"{\"star\":\"1673\",\"license\":\"MIT license\",\"language\":\"TypeScript\",\"is_official\":false,\"latest_commit_time\":\"2025-05-24 03:12:51\"}","user_uuid":null,"tools":null,"sse_url":null,"sse_provider":null,"sse_params":null,"is_official":false,"server_command":null,"server_params":null,"server_config":null,"allow_call":false,"is_innovation":false,"is_dxt":false,"dxt_manifest":null,"dxt_file_url":null,"is_audit":false},"randomProjects":[],"currentServerKey":"$undefined"}]]}]

Research and data