Prerequisites

Before connecting to the Hacker News MCP server, ensure you have Tavily properly installed and configured on your system. You'll also need an active internet connection, as the server retrieves live data from Hacker News in real-time.

Installation Steps

To add the Hacker News MCP server to your Tavily configuration, you'll need to update your MCP settings file. Locate your Tavily configuration directory and open the MCP settings file in your preferred text editor.

Add the Hacker News server configuration to your list of MCP servers. The server connects directly to the Hacker News API and doesn't require authentication credentials, making setup straightforward. Simply include the server reference in your configuration, and Tavily will handle the connection automatically when you restart the application.

Verifying the Connection

After updating your configuration and restarting Tavily, verify that the Hacker News server is connected and operational. You can do this by asking your AI assistant a simple question about Hacker News content, such as "What are the current top stories on Hacker News?" or "Show me the latest posts from Hacker News."

If the server is properly connected, you'll receive structured information about current Hacker News content. If you encounter connection issues, double-check your configuration syntax and ensure that Tavily has successfully restarted with the new settings.

Using the Server

Once connected, interact with Hacker News through natural language queries. Ask your AI assistant to retrieve top stories, search for specific topics, explore comment threads, or look up user profiles. The server translates your requests into API calls and returns formatted results.

For example, you can request "Find the most popular stories about artificial intelligence on Hacker News today" or "Show me the comments on the top story." The server handles all technical details, allowing you to focus on accessing the information you need.

Troubleshooting

If the server isn't responding, first confirm that your internet connection is stable and that Hacker News itself is accessible. Restart Tavily to ensure configuration changes have been properly loaded. Check your MCP settings file for any syntax errors that might prevent the server from initializing correctly.

For persistent issues, consult the Tavily documentation or verify that you're using a compatible version of the software that supports MCP server integration.