Overview

Staying on top of specific topics, technologies, or keywords on Hacker News can be challenging given the constant flow of new submissions and discussions. The Hacker News MCP Server makes this monitoring process straightforward by allowing you to query and filter content programmatically through your AI assistant. Instead of manually refreshing the site or setting up complex monitoring systems, you can leverage natural language requests to track exactly what matters to you.

How to Track Topics

Using Natural Language Queries

The most direct approach is asking your AI assistant to find stories related to your topic of interest. For example, you might ask: "Show me recent Hacker News stories about Rust programming" or "Find discussions about machine learning frameworks." The assistant will retrieve current stories and scan their titles and content to identify relevant matches.

Monitoring Specific Keywords

To track particular keywords, simply request stories containing those terms. Ask questions like "What are people saying about WebAssembly on Hacker News?" or "Find stories mentioning cryptocurrency regulation." The server retrieves recent submissions and filters them based on your specified keywords, presenting you with targeted results rather than requiring you to browse through unrelated content.

Exploring Comment Threads

Topics often generate more insight in the comments than in the original submissions. Request comment analysis by asking: "Show me the discussion on the top story about database performance" or "What are people saying in the comments about the new framework release?" This allows you to dive into community perspectives and expert opinions that might not be visible from story titles alone.

Practical Monitoring Strategies

Regular Check-ins

Establish a routine by periodically asking for updates on your topics of interest. A simple query like "What are the top stories today about cloud infrastructure?" gives you an instant snapshot of relevant discussions without manual filtering.

User-Based Tracking

Follow thought leaders and experts by tracking specific users. Request "Show me recent submissions from [username]" or "What has [username] been commenting on lately?" to stay informed about contributions from individuals whose perspectives you value.

Comparative Analysis

Track multiple related keywords simultaneously to understand broader trends. Ask "Compare recent discussions about Docker versus Kubernetes" to see how different but related topics are trending within the community.

Best Practices

Keep your queries specific enough to filter noise but broad enough to catch relevant variations. Technology terms often have multiple names or acronyms, so consider asking about related terms. Combine story and comment analysis for comprehensive coverage—important discussions often happen in comment threads rather than reaching the front page as standalone submissions.