Prerequisites

Before connecting the Hacker News MCP server to Close, ensure you have the following:

• An active Close account with appropriate permissions
• The MCP server installed and accessible on your system
• Basic familiarity with Close's integration settings

Connection Steps

Step 1: Locate Your Close Configuration

Navigate to your Close settings and find the MCP server configuration section. This is typically found under Integrations or API Settings in your Close workspace.

Step 2: Add the Hacker News Server

In your Close MCP configuration file, add the Hacker News server entry. You'll need to specify the server type and connection details. The server connects directly to Hacker News APIs, so no authentication keys are required for basic functionality.

Step 3: Configure Server Settings

Add the Hacker News MCP server to your configuration with the appropriate command and arguments. Specify any environment variables if needed, though the Hacker News server typically requires minimal configuration since it accesses public Hacker News data.

Step 4: Test the Connection

Once configured, restart Close or reload your MCP connections to establish the link. Test the connection by asking Close to retrieve current top stories from Hacker News or fetch information about a specific post. A successful response confirms the server is properly connected.

Using the Server in Close

After connection, you can interact with Hacker News directly through Close using natural language. Ask Close to:

• Show trending stories on Hacker News
• Retrieve comments from specific discussions
• Find user profiles and their contribution history
• Monitor new submissions in real-time

The server translates your requests into API calls and returns formatted data within Close's interface.

Common Use Cases

Sales Intelligence: Track mentions of prospects or competitors in Hacker News discussions to gather unfiltered market feedback.

Lead Research: Investigate potential leads by reviewing their Hacker News profiles, understanding their expertise and community influence.

Market Monitoring: Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies discussed by the tech community.

Competitive Analysis: Monitor how competitors' announcements are received and discussed by technical audiences.

Troubleshooting

If the connection fails, verify your configuration syntax and ensure Close has network access to reach Hacker News APIs. Check that the server path is correct and that all required dependencies are installed. Restart Close after making configuration changes to ensure they take effect.