📌Overview

Purpose: The Kagi MCP server framework provides a means for integrating Kagi's search capabilities efficiently within applications via the Model Context Protocol.

Overview: This server setup is intended for developers looking to leverage the Kagi search API. It facilitates easy integration with the Claude Desktop client, enabling users to ask questions and receive search results through an intuitive interface.

Key Features:

• Server Setup: Simple installation process using command-line instructions that include downloading dependencies and configuring the environment for Kagi's API access.

• Integration with Claude: Allows users to query the Kagi search engine directly from the Claude Desktop, streamlining the process of obtaining search results without additional steps.

• Debugging Tools: Includes commands for troubleshooting and inspecting server performance, ensuring users can efficiently resolve potential issues during setup and execution.

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Kagi MCP Server

Setup Instructions

Before anything, unless you are just using non-search tools, ensure you have access to the search API. It is currently in closed beta and available upon request. Please reach out to support@kagi.com for an invite.

Install uv

MacOS/Linux:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Windows:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Installing via Smithery

Alternatively, you can install Kagi for Claude Desktop via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install kagimcp --client claude

Setup with Claude Desktop

// claude_desktop_config.json
// Can find location through:
// Hamburger Menu -> File -> Settings -> Developer -> Edit Config
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagi": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["kagimcp"],
      "env": {
        "KAGI_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE",
        "KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE": "YOUR_ENGINE_CHOICE_HERE" // Defaults to "cecil" engine if env var not present
      }
    }
  }
}

Pose query that requires use of a tool

Examples:

• "Who was time's 2024 person of the year?" (for search)
• "summarize this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw" (for summarizer)

Debugging

Run:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uvx kagimcp

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Local/Dev Setup Instructions

Clone repo

git clone https://github.com/kagisearch/kagimcp.git

Install dependencies

Install uv first.

MacOS/Linux:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Windows:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Then install MCP server dependencies:

cd kagimcp

# Create virtual environment and activate it
uv venv

source .venv/bin/activate   # MacOS/Linux
# OR
.venv/Scripts/activate      # Windows

# Install dependencies
uv sync

Setup with Claude Desktop

Using MCP CLI SDK

# `pip install mcp[cli]` if you haven't
mcp install /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp/src/kagimcp/server.py -v "KAGI_API_KEY=API_KEY_HERE"

Manually

// claude_desktop_config.json
// Can find location through:
// Hamburger Menu -> File -> Settings -> Developer -> Edit Config
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagi": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "/ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp",
        "run",
        "kagimcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "KAGI_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE",
        "KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE": "YOUR_ENGINE_CHOICE_HERE" // Defaults to "cecil" engine if env var not present
      }
    }
  }
}

Pose query that requires use of a tool

Examples:

• "Who was time's 2024 person of the year?" (for search)
• "summarize this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw" (for summarizer)

Debugging

Run:

# If mcp cli installed (`pip install mcp[cli]`)
mcp dev /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp/src/kagimcp/server.py

# If not
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector \
      uv \
      --directory /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp \
      run \
      kagimcp

Then access MCP Inspector at http://localhost:5173. You may need to add your Kagi API key in the environment variables in the inspector under KAGI_API_KEY.

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Advanced Configuration

• Level of logging is adjustable through the FASTMCP_LOG_LEVEL environment variable (e.g. FASTMCP_LOG_LEVEL="ERROR")
• Summarizer engine can be customized using the KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE environment variable (e.g. KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE="daphne")

Learn about the different summarization engines here.