Prerequisites

Before connecting to the Hacker News MCP server, ensure you have the MCP client application (such as Claude Desktop or another MCP-compatible tool) installed on your system. You'll also need basic familiarity with editing JSON configuration files.

Installation Steps

1. Locate Your MCP Configuration File

Find the configuration file for your MCP client. For Claude Desktop, this is typically located at:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

2. Add the Server Configuration

Open the configuration file in your preferred text editor and add the Hacker News MCP server to the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hackernews": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@huggingface/mcp-server-hackernews"]
    }
  }
}

If you already have other servers configured, simply add the hackernews entry alongside them, ensuring proper JSON syntax with commas between entries.

3. Restart Your MCP Client

Close and restart your MCP client application completely to load the new server configuration. The Hacker News server should now be available for use.

Verifying the Connection

Once your client restarts, test the connection by asking a simple question like "What are the top stories on Hacker News right now?" If the server is properly connected, you'll receive current story information including titles, scores, and links.

Using the Server

With the connection established, you can interact with Hacker News through natural language queries:

• Browse stories: Ask for top, new, or best stories
• Read comments: Request comment threads for specific submissions
• View user profiles: Look up information about Hacker News users
• Track discussions: Monitor conversations about specific topics or technologies

The server handles all API interactions automatically, presenting information in an easily readable format.

Troubleshooting

If the server doesn't connect, verify that:

• Your JSON configuration is properly formatted with no syntax errors
• You have an active internet connection
• Your MCP client has been fully restarted after configuration changes

The Hacker News MCP server requires no authentication or API keys, making setup straightforward and maintenance-free.