Understanding User Profiles

The Hacker News MCP Server provides comprehensive access to user profile data, allowing you to research community members and analyze their contributions. Each user profile contains valuable information including their karma score, account age, biographical details ("about" section), and complete submission and comment history.

To query a user profile, simply ask your AI assistant about a specific Hacker News user by their username. For example, you might request "Show me the profile for user 'pg'" or "What's the karma score for user 'tptacek'?" The server will retrieve the user's current profile information, presenting it in a structured format that's easy to understand and analyze.

Accessing Activity History

User activity history is one of the most powerful features for understanding contributions and expertise. Every user's submitted stories and comments are accessible through their profile, providing insight into their areas of interest and engagement patterns.

When you request a user's activity history, you'll receive details about their submissions including story titles, URLs, scores, and timestamps. Comment history shows the user's participation in discussions, revealing their expertise and perspective on various topics. This information is particularly valuable when researching subject matter experts, tracking thought leaders in specific domains, or understanding how influential community members engage with different subjects.

Practical Applications

Identifying Experts: Research users who frequently contribute to discussions in your area of interest. Their comment history can reveal deep technical knowledge and unique perspectives.

Tracking Contributors: Monitor the activity of specific users whose insights you value, staying informed about their latest submissions and commentary.

Understanding Influence: Analyze karma scores and submission patterns to identify influential community members whose opinions carry weight in technical discussions.

Research Context: When evaluating a comment or submission, viewing the author's profile provides context about their background, expertise, and track record within the community.

Tips for Effective Queries

Be specific with usernames when requesting profile information—exact matches are required. You can combine user profile queries with other server capabilities, such as examining comments a user made on specific stories or analyzing their submission patterns over time. Remember that all data reflects real-time information from Hacker News, ensuring you're working with current profiles and recent activity rather than outdated snapshots.