Overview

Real-time monitoring of Hacker News topics allows you to stay informed about emerging discussions, track specific technologies, or monitor mentions of products and companies as they happen. This guide walks you through setting up effective monitoring workflows using the Hacker News MCP server with Close CRM.

Understanding Real-Time Access

The Hacker News MCP server provides access to live data feeds, pulling the most current submissions and updates directly from Hacker News. Unlike cached or delayed data sources, this ensures you're always working with up-to-the-minute information, making it ideal for tracking breaking news or rapidly evolving discussions in the tech community.

Setting Up Basic Monitoring

Start by requesting current story feeds through natural language commands to your AI assistant. Ask for "top stories on Hacker News" or "new submissions on Hacker News" to see what's currently trending or recently posted. The server returns structured data including titles, URLs, scores, and submission times.

For ongoing monitoring, establish a regular cadence of queries. You might check top stories hourly during business hours or review new submissions every 30 minutes when monitoring time-sensitive topics.

Tracking Specific Topics

To monitor specific subjects, combine story retrieval with keyword filtering. Request stories about particular technologies, companies, or themes. For example, ask your assistant to "find recent Hacker News stories about artificial intelligence" or "show me discussions mentioning our product name."

Since comment threads often contain deeper insights than headlines suggest, don't overlook monitoring comments. Request comment threads on relevant stories to gauge community sentiment and identify expert perspectives.

Monitoring User Activity

If specific thought leaders or community members are relevant to your interests, track their activity through user profile queries. Request a user's recent submissions or comments to follow their contributions and stay informed about topics they're discussing.

Creating Monitoring Workflows

Integrate monitoring into your daily workflow by establishing routines. Start your day by reviewing overnight top stories, check for new submissions related to your industry at midday, and end by examining comment threads on relevant discussions.

Document patterns you notice over time. Track which topics generate the most engagement, note recurring themes, and identify when specific subjects gain traction. This historical context enhances your ability to spot significant trends early.

Best Practices

Focus your monitoring on specific, actionable topics rather than trying to track everything. Be consistent with your checking schedule to avoid missing important discussions. When you identify relevant stories, dive into comment threads where valuable insights often emerge.