Prerequisites

Before setting up the Hacker News MCP server, ensure you have Context7 installed and configured on your system. You'll need basic familiarity with MCP server configuration and access to your Context7 settings.

Installation Steps

Adding the Server to Context7

Open your Context7 configuration file, typically located in your application settings or configuration directory. Add the Hacker News MCP server to your server list by including its connection details in the MCP servers section.

The server connects directly to Hacker News APIs, so no authentication credentials or API keys are required. This makes setup straightforward—simply register the server with Context7 and it's ready to use.

Verifying the Connection

After adding the server configuration, restart Context7 to establish the connection. You can verify the server is working correctly by asking your AI assistant a simple query like "What are the top stories on Hacker News right now?" If the server responds with current stories, you're successfully connected.

Using the Server

Retrieving Stories

Ask for different story feeds using natural language. Request "top stories" to see what's trending, "new stories" for recent submissions, or "best stories" for highly-valued content. Each story includes the title, URL, score, author, and submission time.

Exploring Comments

To read discussions, reference a specific story and ask for its comments. You can explore entire comment threads, helping you understand community perspectives and technical debates around any submission.

Researching Users

Query user profiles by mentioning a Hacker News username. The server retrieves karma scores, submission history, and biographical information, useful for identifying experts or understanding community contributors.

Tips for Effective Use

Keep queries specific for better results. Instead of asking broadly about "technology," request stories about particular topics like "AI developments" or "startup funding." The server returns real-time data, so you're always accessing current information rather than outdated content.

Use the server for trend monitoring by regularly checking top stories, conduct research by diving into comment threads, or discover quality content that's been community-vetted through Hacker News's voting system.