Overview

The Hacker News MCP Server allows you to retrieve specific stories, comments, and other content by using their unique item IDs. Every piece of content on Hacker News—whether it's a story, comment, poll, or job posting—has a distinct numerical identifier that you can use to access it directly. This article explains how to leverage item IDs to find and retrieve specific content efficiently.

What is an Item ID?

An item ID is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every piece of content on Hacker News. You'll typically encounter these IDs in URLs when browsing Hacker News. For example, in the URL https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12345678, the item ID is 12345678. This system allows for precise retrieval of any story, comment, or other content regardless of its age or current visibility on the site.

How to Find Item IDs

There are several ways to discover item IDs:

• From URLs: When viewing any story or comment on Hacker News, the item ID appears in the browser's address bar
• From Story Lists: When you retrieve top stories, new stories, or best stories through the server, each result includes its item ID
• From Comment Threads: Parent and child comments in threads include their respective item IDs, making it easy to navigate discussion hierarchies
• From User Profiles: A user's submission and comment history includes item IDs for all their contributions

Retrieving Stories by Item ID

Once you have an item ID, you can request that specific item through your AI assistant connected to the Hacker News MCP Server. Simply ask for the story or item using its numerical identifier. The server will retrieve the complete information associated with that ID, including:

• Story title and URL
• Author username
• Submission timestamp
• Current score (upvotes)
• Number of comments
• Full text for text-based submissions

Practical Applications

Following Up on Discussions: If you previously identified an interesting story, save its item ID to return later and check how the discussion has evolved or what new comments have been added.

Deep Linking: Share specific stories or comments with colleagues by referencing their item IDs, ensuring everyone accesses exactly the same content.

Historical Research: Item IDs remain constant over time, allowing you to access older stories and discussions that may no longer appear in current feeds but retain their valuable insights and historical context.

Tips for Efficiency

When working with multiple items, keep a note of relevant item IDs for quick reference. Since IDs are sequential and permanent, they provide a reliable method for bookmarking and organizing Hacker News content that matters to your research or monitoring needs.