# Hacker News MCP Server (`nyxar_dev/hackernews-mcp`) Actor Read top stories, comments, and search Hacker News via MCP. Get real-time tech news, discussions, and trending topics from the HN community. - **URL**: https://apify.com/nyxar\_dev/hackernews-mcp.md - **Developed by:** [Nyxar Dev](https://apify.com/nyxar_dev) (community) - **Categories:** AI, Developer tools - **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing Pay per usage This Actor is paid per platform usage. The Actor is free to use, and you only pay for the Apify platform usage, which gets cheaper the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-usage ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Hacker News MCP Server An Apify Actor that exposes Hacker News data through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Browse top stories, read discussions, and search the entire HN archive from any MCP-compatible client. ### What does it do? This MCP server gives you direct access to Hacker News through three focused tools: - **Browse top stories** -- fetch the current front page with scores, authors, and comment counts. - **Read full stories with comments** -- dive into any story and its discussion thread. - **Search the archive** -- find stories across the entire Hacker News history using the Algolia search API. The server uses the official Hacker News Firebase API for real-time data and the Algolia HN Search API for full-text search. ### Why use it? - **Zero configuration** -- no API keys needed. Hacker News APIs are open and free. - **Real-time data** -- stories, scores, and comments are fetched live from HN's Firebase backend. - **Full-text search** -- search millions of HN posts and comments via Algolia. - **Pay-per-use** -- only pay when your agent actually calls a tool. No idle costs. - **Standards-based** -- built on the Model Context Protocol, works with any MCP-compatible client. ### How to use #### MCP client setup Add this to your MCP client configuration (e.g. `claude_desktop_config.json`): ```json { "mcpServers": { "hackernews": { "type": "url", "url": "https://nyxar_dev--hackernews-mcp.apify.actor/mcp" } } } ```` #### Cursor Go to **Settings > MCP Servers** and add: - **Name**: `hackernews` - **Type**: `url` - **URL**: `https://nyxar_dev--hackernews-mcp.apify.actor/mcp` #### Other MCP clients Point any MCP-compatible client to: ``` https://nyxar_dev--hackernews-mcp.apify.actor/mcp ``` ### Tools #### `get_top_stories` Fetch the top N stories currently on the Hacker News front page. | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|--------|---------|--------------------------------------| | `count` | number | 10 | Number of stories to fetch (1-30) | Returns an array of stories, each with: `rank`, `id`, `title`, `url`, `score`, `author`, `commentCount`, and `time`. #### `get_story` Get a single story by its Hacker News ID, including up to 10 top-level comments. | Parameter | Type | Required | Description | |-----------|--------|----------|--------------------------| | `id` | number | Yes | The Hacker News story ID | Returns the full story object with a `comments` array. Each comment includes: `id`, `author`, `text` (HTML), `time`, and `replyCount`. #### `search_stories` Search the entire Hacker News archive using the Algolia Search API. | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|--------|---------|------------------------------------| | `query` | string | -- | The search term (required) | | `page` | number | 0 | Page number for pagination | Returns: `query`, `totalHits`, `page`, `totalPages`, and a `results` array with: `id`, `title`, `url`, `author`, `points`, `commentCount`, and `createdAt`. ### Output example #### `get_top_stories` (count: 3) ```json [ { "rank": 1, "id": 41942315, "title": "Show HN: I built a tool to manage dotfiles", "url": "https://github.com/example/dotfiles", "score": 284, "author": "techuser", "commentCount": 97, "time": "2026-04-04T08:30:00.000Z" }, { "rank": 2, "id": 41942200, "title": "The hidden cost of microservices", "url": "https://blog.example.com/microservices-cost", "score": 201, "author": "archdev", "commentCount": 143, "time": "2026-04-04T07:15:00.000Z" }, { "rank": 3, "id": 41941988, "title": "Rust in the Linux kernel: one year later", "url": "https://lwn.net/Articles/rust-kernel-update", "score": 178, "author": "kernelhacker", "commentCount": 62, "time": "2026-04-04T06:45:00.000Z" } ] ``` ### Pricing This Actor uses pay-per-event pricing: | Event | Price per call | |-------------|----------------| | Tool call | $0.03 | You are only charged when a tool is invoked. No charges for idle time or the MCP connection itself. # Actor input Schema ## Actor input object example ```json {} ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("nyxar_dev/hackernews-mcp").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("nyxar_dev/hackernews-mcp").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call nyxar_dev/hackernews-mcp --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=nyxar_dev/hackernews-mcp", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Hacker News MCP Server", "description": "Read top stories, comments, and search Hacker News via MCP. Get real-time tech news, discussions, and trending topics from the HN community.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "8dhGTK3xwP88ZL3dn" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/nyxar_dev~hackernews-mcp/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-nyxar_dev-hackernews-mcp", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/nyxar_dev~hackernews-mcp/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-nyxar_dev-hackernews-mcp", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/nyxar_dev~hackernews-mcp/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-nyxar_dev-hackernews-mcp", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": {} }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```