Exa Search

by mrunmays

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About

Integrates with the Exa Search API to provide web search capabilities, returning structured results and maintaining a cache of recent searches for up-to-date information retrieval.

Details

Author: mrunmays
Repository: MrunmayS/exa-mcp-server
Categories: Productivity, Developer Tools, Design, AI, Search, Infrastructure, API
Tags: #web, #integration

Setting up with Highlight

This MCP is not yet compatible with Highlight’s one-click setup. However, you can still use it with Highlight by following these steps:

Download and install Highlight from highlightai.com/download
Navigate to the plugins tab and select "Add Custom Plugin"
Configure the plugin with the settings below
Plugin Name Exa Search

Command (node, npx, python, etc.) npx
Arguments
- Argument 1 /path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js
Environment
- EXA_API_KEY your-api-key-here
Please refer to the README for specific instructions on how to obtain API keys or other required environment variables.
Enable "Start Automatically" if you want the plugin to start when Highlight launches

Setting up with Cursor

Open Cursor's settings
Navigate to the MCP section
Click "Add new Global MCP server"
Copy and paste the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Claude Desktop

Open Claude Desktop's settings
Go to the Integrations tab
Click "Add MCP Server"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

Note: Make sure Claude Desktop is running before attempting to connect.

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Windsurf

Open Windsurf's preferences
Go to the Integrations section
Click "Add MCP Integration"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Cline

Open Cline's settings
Navigate to the Integrations section
Click "Add MCP Server"
Copy and paste the configuration below based on your operating system

Note: Make sure to restart Cline after adding the configuration.

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Goose

Open Goose's preferences
Go to the Integrations tab
Select "MCP Servers"
Click "Add New Server"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

From the repository

npm install -g exa-mcp-server

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/exa-labs/exa-mcp-server.git
cd exa-mcp-server

2. Install dependencies:

npm install --save axios dotenv

3. Build the project:

npm run build

4. Create a global link (this makes the server executable from anywhere):

npm link

You can find claude_desktop_config.json inside the settings of Claude Desktop app:

Open the Claude Desktop app and enable Developer Mode from the top-left menu bar.

Once enabled, open Settings (also from the top-left menu bar) and navigate to the Developer Option, where you'll find the Edit Config button. Clicking it will open the claude_desktop_config.json file, allowing you to make the necessary edits.

OR (if you want to open claude_desktop_config.json from terminal)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your-api-key-here with your actual Exa API key from dashboard.exa.ai/api-keys.

Once configured, you can ask Claude to perform web searches. Here are some example prompts:

Can you search for recent developments in quantum computing?

Search for and summarize the latest news about artificial intelligence startups in new york.

Find and analyze recent research papers about climate change solutions.

The server will:

1. Process the search request

2. Query the Exa API

3. Return formatted results to Claude

4. Cache the search for future reference

If you encounter issues review the MCP Documentation

Claude Desktop / Cursor

Paste into your MCP client config file to install this server.

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "exa search": {
            "env": {
                "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
            ],
            "command": "npx"
        }
    }
}

Linux

{
    "env": {
        "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
    },
    "args": [
        "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
    ],
    "command": "npx"
}

Macos

{
    "env": {
        "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
    },
    "args": [
        "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
    ],
    "command": "npx"
}

Windows

{
    "env": {
        "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
    },
    "args": [
        "/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"
    ],
    "command": "npx"
}

Exa MCP Server 🔍

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server lets AI assistants like Claude use the Exa AI Search API for web searches. This setup allows AI models to get real-time web information in a safe and controlled way.

Demo video https://www.loom.com/share/ac676f29664e4c6cb33a2f0a63772038?sid=0e72619f-5bfc-415d-a705-63d326373f60

What is MCP? 🤔

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a system that lets AI apps, like Claude Desktop, connect to external tools and data sources. It gives a clear and safe way for AI assistants to work with local services and APIs while keeping the user in control.

What does this server do? 🚀

The Exa MCP server:
- Enables AI assistants to perform web searches using Exa's powerful search API
- Provides structured search results including titles, URLs, and content snippets
- Handles rate limiting and error cases gracefully

Prerequisites 📋

Before you begin, ensure you have:

- Node.js (v18 or higher)
- Claude Desktop installed
- An Exa API key
- Git installed

You can verify your Node.js installation by running:

node --version  # Should show v18.0.0 or higher


Installation 🛠️
NPM Installation
npm install -g exa-mcp-server

Using Smithery
To install the Exa MCP server for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:
npx -y @smithery/cli install exa --client claude

Manual Installation
1.  Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/exa-labs/exa-mcp-server.git
cd exa-mcp-server

2.  Install dependencies:
npm install --save axios dotenv

3.  Build the project:
npm run build

4.  Create a global link (this makes the server executable from anywhere):
npm link

Configuration ⚙️
1. Configure Claude Desktop to recognize the Exa MCP server
You can find claude_desktop_config.json inside the settings of Claude Desktop app:
Open the Claude Desktop app and enable Developer Mode from the top-left menu bar.
Once enabled, open Settings (also from the top-left menu bar) and navigate to the Developer Option, where you'll find the Edit Config button. Clicking it will open the claude_desktop_config.json file, allowing you to make the necessary edits.
OR (if you want to open claude_desktop_config.json from terminal)
For macOS:
1.  Open your Claude Desktop configuration:
code ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

For Windows:
1.  Open your Claude Desktop configuration:
code %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

2.  Add the Exa server configuration:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["/path/to/exa-mcp-server/build/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "EXA_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your-api-key-here` with your actual Exa API key from dashboard.exa.ai/api-keys.

3. Restart Claude Desktop

For the changes to take effect:

1. Completely quit Claude Desktop (not just close the window)

2. Start Claude Desktop again

3. Look for the 🔌 icon to verify the Exa server is connected

Usage 🎯

Once configured, you can ask Claude to perform web searches. Here are some example prompts:

Can you search for recent developments in quantum computing?

Search for and summarize the latest news about artificial intelligence startups in new york.

Find and analyze recent research papers about climate change solutions.

The server will:

1. Process the search request

2. Query the Exa API

3. Return formatted results to Claude

4. Cache the search for future reference

Features ✨

Web Search Tool: Enables Claude to search the web using natural language queries

Error Handling: Gracefully handles API errors and rate limits

Type Safety: Full TypeScript implementation with proper type checking

Troubleshooting 🔧

Common Issues

1. Server Not Found

Verify the npm link is correctly set up

Check Claude Desktop configuration syntax

Ensure Node.js is properly installed

2. API Key Issues

Confirm your Exa API key is valid

Check the API key is correctly set in the Claude Desktop config

Verify no spaces or quotes around the API key

3. Connection Issues

Restart Claude Desktop completely

Check Claude Desktop logs:

        # macOS

        tail -n 20 -f ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp.log

Getting Help

If you encounter issues review the MCP Documentation

Acknowledgments 🙏

Exa AI for their powerful search API

Model Context Protocol for the MCP specification

Anthropic for Claude Desktop

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About

Details

Jump to

Setting up with Highlight

From the repository

Claude Desktop / Cursor

Linux

Macos

Windows

Exa MCP Server 🔍

What is MCP? 🤔

What does this server do? 🚀

Prerequisites 📋

Installation 🛠️

NPM Installation

Using Smithery

Manual Installation

Configuration ⚙️

1. Configure Claude Desktop to recognize the Exa MCP server

For macOS:

For Windows:

2. Add the Exa server configuration:

3. Restart Claude Desktop

Usage 🎯

Features ✨

Troubleshooting 🔧

Common Issues

Getting Help

Acknowledgments 🙏

Install

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