Understanding Search Capabilities

The Hacker News MCP Server provides powerful filtering and search techniques to help you quickly find relevant stories and comments. While the interface uses natural language, understanding how to structure your queries will yield more precise results.

Filtering Stories by Category

Access different story feeds by specifying the type you want to explore. Request "top stories" to see what's currently popular on the front page, "new stories" for the latest submissions, or "best stories" for content that has demonstrated sustained value. Each feed returns different results based on Hacker News' algorithms, so choosing the right category helps you find what matters most to you.

For time-sensitive monitoring, new stories let you catch emerging discussions early, while top stories show you what's already captured community attention.

Searching by Item ID

Every story and comment on Hacker News has a unique identifier. When you know the specific ID of an item you want to examine, request it directly for immediate access. This is particularly useful when following links from external sources or when you've previously identified items of interest and want to check for updates.

Filtering User Activity

Research specific contributors by requesting user profile information. Once you've identified valuable commenters or frequent submitters in your area of interest, you can access their complete submission and comment history. This helps you follow thought leaders, track expert opinions, or understand patterns in how specific users engage with the community.

Combining Filters for Targeted Results

Refine your searches by combining multiple criteria in your requests. For example, after retrieving top stories, you can then request comments on specific items that match your interests. Or start with a user profile to find their recent submissions, then dive into the comment threads on those submissions.

Temporal Filtering

While requests don't accept explicit date parameters, you can work with recency by specifying story feeds. New stories naturally provide the most recent content, while you can request older discussions by using specific item IDs you've identified from previous searches.

Analyzing Comment Threads

When examining discussions, request full comment trees to understand conversation context. Comments are organized hierarchically, so retrieving an entire thread shows you how discussions develop and branch. This is essential for understanding nuanced debates or following technical explanations that span multiple replies.

Best Practices

Structure your queries progressively—start broad, then narrow down. Begin with a story feed to identify interesting submissions, then request detailed information about specific items. For ongoing monitoring, regularly check new stories and follow up on items matching your criteria. This iterative approach ensures comprehensive coverage without overwhelming you with data.