What is the Hacker News MCP Server?

The Hacker News MCP Server provides a streamlined way to access Hacker News content directly through your AI assistant. Instead of manually browsing the website, you can retrieve stories, comments, and user information through natural language requests. This server connects to Hacker News APIs and returns structured data that's easy to work with.

Initial Setup

To begin using the Hacker News MCP Server, you'll need to ensure it's properly configured in your MCP-compatible application (such as Claude Desktop). The server requires no API keys or authentication since it accesses Hacker News's public API. Once configured, the server runs in the background, ready to handle your requests.

Check your MCP client's configuration file to verify the Hacker News server is listed and enabled. The exact configuration steps vary by client, but typically involve adding the server to a JSON configuration file.

Making Your First Request

Start with simple queries to familiarize yourself with the server's capabilities. Try asking your AI assistant:

• "What are the top stories on Hacker News right now?"
• "Show me the newest submissions on Hacker News"
• "Get comments for Hacker News story ID 12345"

The server processes these natural language requests and returns relevant data, including story titles, URLs, scores, submission times, and author information.

Exploring Stories and Comments

The server provides access to different story feeds. Top stories show what's currently popular on the front page. New stories display recent submissions. Best stories highlight content with lasting value.

When exploring comments, you can access entire discussion threads to understand community perspectives. Comments are structured hierarchically, allowing you to follow conversation threads and see how discussions develop.

Working with User Profiles

Request information about specific Hacker News users to see their submission history, comment activity, and karma scores. This is useful for identifying subject matter experts or tracking contributions from particular community members.

Practical Applications

Use the server to monitor trending tech topics, discover high-quality technical articles vetted by the community, or research what developers are saying about specific technologies. The real-time access ensures you're always working with current information.

Tips for Effective Use

Be specific in your requests. Instead of asking broadly about "technology news," request particular story types or topics. When examining discussions, ask for specific story IDs to get focused results. Remember that the server accesses public data only—private information isn't available.