Overview

The Hacker News MCP Server provides real-time access to one of technology's most active discussion platforms, making it an invaluable tool for staying informed about breaking tech news. By connecting directly to Hacker News through your AI assistant, you can monitor emerging stories, track community reactions, and discover important developments as they unfold—all without manually refreshing your browser or writing custom scripts.

Monitoring Breaking News

To stay on top of breaking tech news, leverage the server's real-time story feeds. Request the latest "new" stories to see submissions as they arrive, catching news at its earliest stages. As stories gain traction, switch to the "top" feed to identify which submissions are resonating with the community and rising to prominence.

You can ask your AI assistant questions like "What are the top stories on Hacker News right now?" or "Show me the newest submissions about artificial intelligence." The server retrieves current data directly from Hacker News, ensuring you're working with up-to-the-minute information rather than cached results.

Gauging Community Reaction

Breaking news becomes more meaningful when you understand how the tech community responds to it. Use the server's comment access capabilities to dive into discussion threads on major announcements. Ask to see comments on specific stories to read expert opinions, identify concerns, and gauge overall sentiment.

This real-time comment analysis helps you understand not just what's happening, but what developers, founders, and tech professionals think about it—providing context that raw news headlines can't deliver.

Tracking Specific Topics

Set up targeted monitoring by regularly querying for stories containing specific keywords or from particular domains. For instance, if you're following developments in a specific technology or company, periodically ask your assistant to check for relevant submissions. The server's flexible querying capabilities make it easy to customize your news monitoring to match your interests.

Identifying Trending Discussions

Pay attention to submission scores and comment counts to identify which topics are generating the most engagement. Stories with rapidly increasing scores and active comment threads indicate subjects that have captured the community's attention. This signal helps you prioritize which breaking news deserves deeper investigation.

Best Practices

Check the "new" feed frequently during active hours (typically weekday mornings in US time zones) to catch important stories early. Cross-reference breaking news with comment discussions to get a complete picture, and track specific users who consistently provide insightful analysis in your areas of interest. By combining real-time story access with community discussion monitoring, you'll maintain comprehensive awareness of what matters in the tech world.