What is the Hacker News MCP Server?

The Hacker News MCP Server connects your AI assistant to Hacker News, one of the tech community's most influential discussion platforms. Through this server, you can access stories, comments, and user profiles without leaving your workflow. Simply ask your AI assistant about trending topics, specific discussions, or community insights, and the server handles the rest.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• An MCP-compatible client (such as Claude Desktop or another AI assistant that supports MCP)
• Node.js installed on your system
• Basic familiarity with configuration files

Installation

The server typically installs through your MCP client's configuration. Add the Hacker News server to your client's configuration file, which usually involves specifying the server package name and any required parameters. Consult your specific MCP client's documentation for exact configuration syntax.

Once configured, restart your AI assistant to activate the connection.

Basic Usage

After installation, interact with Hacker News through natural language queries. Here are some ways to get started:

Browse Current Stories

Ask your assistant to "show me the top stories on Hacker News" or "what's trending on HN right now?" The server retrieves the current front page stories with titles, scores, and submission details.

Read Discussions

Request "show me comments on [story title]" to explore discussion threads. You'll receive structured comment data including the conversation hierarchy, making it easy to follow discussions and identify valuable insights.

Research Users

Query "what has [username] posted recently?" to view a user's submission history, comments, and karma. This is useful for following thought leaders or researching contributors in specific technical domains.

Monitor Topics

Ask your assistant to search for specific keywords or track emerging trends. For example, "find recent Hacker News discussions about [technology]" helps you stay informed about community perspectives on topics relevant to your work.

Tips for Effective Use

Start with broad queries like "what are today's top stories?" to get familiar with the data format. As you become comfortable, refine your requests to target specific information needs.

The server provides real-time data, so check back regularly to catch breaking discussions and emerging trends. Hacker News moves quickly, and timely information can be invaluable for staying current in the tech world.

When researching topics, explore both the stories and their comments—some of the most valuable insights come from community discussions rather than the original submissions.