What You'll Need

Before connecting the Hacker News MCP server to your AI assistant, ensure you have:

• An active Zapier account with MCP server support
• Access to an AI assistant that supports MCP integration
• Basic familiarity with server configuration settings

Setting Up the Connection

Step 1: Access Your MCP Settings

Navigate to your AI assistant's settings or configuration panel. Look for the MCP servers section, which is typically found under integrations or advanced settings. This is where you'll add and manage external server connections.

Step 2: Add the Hacker News Server

Click the option to add a new MCP server. You'll need to provide the server details:

• Enter a recognizable name like "Hacker News" to identify the server
• Input the server connection details or endpoint URL provided by Zapier
• Save the configuration to establish the connection

Step 3: Verify the Connection

After adding the server, confirm that the connection is active. Most AI assistants will display a status indicator showing whether the server is successfully connected. If you encounter any issues, double-check your connection details and ensure your AI assistant has the necessary permissions.

Using the Hacker News Server

Once connected, you can interact with Hacker News through natural language requests to your AI assistant. Here are some examples:

Retrieve Top Stories: Ask "What are the current top stories on Hacker News?" to get a list of popular submissions with scores and links.

Read Comments: Request "Show me the comments on story #12345678" to explore discussion threads and community perspectives.

Check User Profiles: Say "Get information about user 'username'" to view karma, submission history, and biographical details.

Monitor New Content: Ask "What are the newest Hacker News submissions?" to stay current with fresh content as it appears.

Tips for Best Results

The server works best when you provide specific requests. Instead of vague queries, specify whether you want top stories, new submissions, or particular comment threads. You can also combine requests, such as asking for top stories and then diving deeper into specific discussions.

The server accesses live Hacker News data, so you're always working with current information rather than outdated content.