Exa MCP Server
Search engine built for AI. High-quality, structured search results optimized for LLM consumption.
- Maintained by
- Exa
- Hosting
- Hosted by the vendor
- Authentication
- OAuth sign-in
- Last checked
OAuth preferred; an API key can instead be sent as an Authorization: Bearer or x-api-key header.
How to connect the Exa MCP server
Pick your AI client and paste the snippet. New to this? Our guide to how MCP clients and servers fit together explains what each piece does.
Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcpThen run /mcp inside Claude Code and choose Authenticate to sign in.
Full Claude Code setup guide →Claude Desktop and claude.ai
Name: Exa
Remote MCP server URL: https://mcp.exa.ai/mcpCustom connectors need a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan. On Team and Enterprise an owner adds them in admin settings.
Full Claude Desktop setup guide →Cursor
{
"mcpServers": {
"exa": {
"url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp"
}
}
}VS Code
{
"servers": {
"exa": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp"
}
}
}ChatGPT
Business, Enterprise and Edu plans (and Pro, read-only) can add this endpoint as an app in developer mode. ChatGPT setup guide →
Frequently asked questions
What is the Exa MCP server?
It is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server — a small piece of software that gives AI assistants like Claude a secure, governed connection to Exa. Search engine built for AI. High-quality, structured search results optimized for LLM consumption.
Is there an official Exa MCP server?
Yes. The Exa MCP server is an official integration, maintained by the vendor or the Model Context Protocol project, which makes it the safest default for business use. It is maintained by Exa.
Is the Exa MCP server hosted, or do I run it myself?
It is hosted. Exa runs the endpoint at https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp, so there is nothing to install: you add the URL to your AI client and sign in with your Exa account.
Do I need an API key for the Exa MCP server?
No API key is needed for the hosted server. You sign in through Exa's own OAuth screen, and the assistant only gets the access your account has.
What can an AI assistant actually do with Exa?
Through this server an assistant can work with web search, content extraction, semantic search, filtering — reading from and acting on Exa directly instead of you copy-pasting between windows. What you allow it to do is controlled by the permissions you grant.
How do I set this up for my business?
The setup section above has copy-paste config for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code. If you want it rolled out across a team with permissions, governance and support handled, that is what Crox's Build engagement covers.
New to MCP? Start with our plain-English guide to the Model Context Protocol or see how to connect AI to your business tools without writing code .
Want this connected to your business — with governance handled?
Crox maps your processes, connects AI to the tools you already use, and keeps it working as models change. Start with a readiness assessment or talk to us about a build.