Overview

The Hacker News MCP server allows you to retrieve specific items directly using their unique identifiers. Every story, comment, poll, and job posting on Hacker News has a numeric ID that serves as its permanent reference. This querying method is essential when you need to access particular content, follow up on previously viewed items, or deep-dive into specific discussions.

Understanding Item IDs

Hacker News assigns a unique numeric ID to every item on the platform. You'll typically encounter these IDs in several ways:

• In URLs (e.g., news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12345678)
• When browsing story lists that return item metadata
• In references within comments or discussions
• From previous queries you've made through the server

These IDs are permanent and never change, making them reliable references for retrieving content even months or years after publication.

How to Query by ID

To retrieve a specific item, simply request it using its numeric identifier through your AI assistant. You can ask in natural language, such as:

• "Get Hacker News item 38544729"
• "Show me the details for HN item 38544729"
• "Retrieve comments for story ID 38544729"

The server interprets your request, fetches the item from Hacker News, and returns comprehensive details about that specific content.

What You'll Receive

When querying by ID, the server returns structured information tailored to the item type:

For stories, you'll receive the title, URL (if external), submission time, author, score, and the number of comments. This gives you a complete snapshot of the story's metadata and popularity.

For comments, the response includes the comment text, author, timestamp, and references to parent comments or the original story. This allows you to understand the context and follow conversation threads.

For other item types like polls or jobs, you'll receive the relevant fields specific to that content type.

Common Use Cases

Querying by ID is particularly useful when you want to:

• Follow up on specific discussions you've previously encountered
• Deep-dive into particular stories after seeing them in broader lists
• Track content over time by periodically checking the same ID to see updated scores or new comments
• Reference specific items in your research or documentation
• Verify information about content someone has shared with you

Tips for Effective Querying

Keep item IDs handy when conducting research, as they provide the fastest path to specific content. If you're analyzing multiple related items, consider maintaining a list of relevant IDs for easy reference. Remember that while IDs are permanent, the associated content (especially comment threads) may grow over time as discussions continue.