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How to Install and Configure the Hacker News MCP Server

Prerequisites

Before installing the Hacker News MCP server, ensure you have the Perplexity desktop application installed and updated to the latest version. No API keys or authentication credentials are required, as the server connects directly to Hacker News's public API.

Installation Steps

To add the Hacker News MCP server to your Perplexity setup, you'll need to modify your MCP configuration file. This file tells Perplexity which servers to load and how to connect to them.

Locate Your Configuration File

Find your MCP settings file, typically located in your application's configuration directory. The exact path varies by operating system, but Perplexity usually stores this in a standard configuration location.

Add the Server Configuration

Open your MCP configuration file in a text editor and add the Hacker News server entry. You'll need to specify the server's command and any required arguments. The configuration should point to the server's executable or script that handles communication with Hacker News.

Add an entry similar to this structure (adjust the path based on where you've installed the server):

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

Save and Restart

After saving your configuration file, restart Perplexity completely to load the new server connection.

Verifying the Installation

Once Perplexity restarts, the Hacker News server should be available. You can verify the installation by asking questions that would require Hacker News data, such as:

  • "What are the current top stories on Hacker News?"
  • "Show me recent comments on the top Hacker News post"
  • "Find Hacker News discussions about [specific technology]"

If the server is properly configured, Perplexity will fetch live data from Hacker News and present it in response to your queries.

Using the Server

With the server running, you can interact with Hacker News naturally through conversation. Ask about trending stories, explore comment threads, research user profiles, or track discussions on specific topics. The server handles all API interactions behind the scenes, delivering structured information directly into your Perplexity workflow.

Troubleshooting

If the server doesn't respond, verify your configuration syntax is correct, ensure you have an active internet connection, and check that Perplexity has been fully restarted. Reviewing Perplexity's logs can also help identify connection issues.

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The Perplexity integration lets you search the web and access real-time information directly through AI-powered queries, enabling your assistant to retrieve current facts, news, and research without leaving the conversation.

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