How to add Algolia MCP Server to Windsurf

Query and manage Algolia search indices from an agent: search, settings, analytics, A/B tests, and Recommend. Paste the config into ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json and restart Windsurf.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 28★ · stdio · apikey · official

Windsurf config for Algolia MCP Server

git clone git@github.com:algolia/mcp.git && cd mcp/cmd/mcp && go build

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "algolia-mcp-server": {
      "command": "/path/to/the/repo/cmd/mcp/mcp",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "ALGOLIA_APP_ID": "<your-app-id>",
        "ALGOLIA_INDEX_NAME": "<your-index-name>",
        "ALGOLIA_API_KEY": "<your-api-key>",
        "ALGOLIA_WRITE_API_KEY": "<your-admin-api-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1Open Windsurf → Cascade → the hammer/MCP icon → Configure (or edit ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json).
2Paste the Algolia MCP Server config below.
3Fill in placeholder secrets, then save.
4Click Refresh in the MCP panel.
5Algolia MCP Server's tools become available to Cascade.

Before you start

Go toolchain installed (go.dev/doc/install) to build the binary
Algolia application ID, index name, and API key; admin key only if you want write operations
An MCP client such as Claude Desktop (README builds on the official MCP quickstart)

What Algolia MCP Server can do in Windsurf

search

Enables all search operations, both read and write.

search_read

Read-only search: list indices, get settings, run queries, get objects.

search_write

Write operations: clear, copy, delete, move indices; set settings; insert/delete objects.

collections

Work with Algolia collections.

analytics

Access Algolia Analytics data.

abtesting

Manage and inspect A/B tests.

querysuggestions

Work with Query Suggestions configuration.

recommend

Access Algolia Recommend.

Security

With only the search API key it is effectively read-mostly; adding ALGOLIA_WRITE_API_KEY hands the agent your admin key, which can delete indices and rewrite settings — enable search_write only when needed. Algolia explicitly says this repo is experimental, unsupported, not covered by SLA, and may break or disappear; MCP usage counts against your Algolia plan.

Algolia MCP Server + Windsurf FAQ

Where is the Windsurf config file?

Windsurf reads MCP servers from ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json. Paste the Algolia MCP Server config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Algolia MCP Server safe to use with Windsurf?

Is the Algolia MCP server production-safe?

Algolia says no: the repo is experimental, not officially supported, outside the SLA, and may change or be removed at any time. It is fine for exploration; for production leanings use Algolia's hosted MCP documented on algolia.com, and never give the admin key to an agent you don't supervise.

Can I make it read-only?

Yes, two ways: omit ALGOLIA_WRITE_API_KEY so write tools have no credentials, and/or set MCP_ENABLED_TOOLS to search_read plus whichever analytics-style groups you want. Write operations only work with the admin key configured.

Why does it need Go instead of npx?

The server is written in Go and distributed as source; you compile a native binary with go build and point your MCP config at its absolute path. Algolia maintains a separate Node.js variant at algolia/mcp-node if you prefer the npm ecosystem.

View repo Full Algolia MCP Server page