How to add WebSearch MCP to Claude Desktop

Real-time web search for MCP clients via a self-hosted crawler API over stdio. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 37★ · stdio · no auth

Claude Desktop config for WebSearch MCP

npm install -g websearch-mcp

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "websearch-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "websearch-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "API_URL": "http://localhost:3001",
        "MAX_SEARCH_RESULT": "5"
      }
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
2Paste the WebSearch MCP config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
5Open a chat and confirm WebSearch MCP's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

Node.js with npx (to run the websearch-mcp package)
A running WebSearch Crawler API backend (Docker image laituanmanh/websearch-crawler) reachable at API_URL
FlareSolverr service (for bypassing Cloudflare protection), started via the provided docker-compose.yml
Docker and Docker Compose to run the crawler service

What WebSearch MCP can do in Claude Desktop

web_search

Search the web in real time. Parameters: query (required); numResults (optional, default 5); language (optional, e.g. 'en'); region (optional, e.g. 'us'); excludeDomains (optional); includeDomains (optional); excludeTerms (optional); resultType (optional: 'all', 'news', or 'blogs'). Returns results with title, snippet, url, siteName, and byline.

Security

Requires a self-hosted WebSearch Crawler API backend (Docker image laituanmanh/websearch-crawler plus FlareSolverr) reachable at API_URL; no built-in authentication between the MCP server and the crawler. The MCP server itself takes no API key. Also installable via Smithery.

WebSearch MCP + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the WebSearch MCP config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is WebSearch MCP safe to use with Claude Desktop?

Does this need an API key?

No. The MCP server itself takes no API key; it talks to your self-hosted crawler service at API_URL. You are responsible for running and securing that crawler backend.

What backend does it require?

A WebSearch Crawler API service, provided as the Docker image laituanmanh/websearch-crawler, alongside a FlareSolverr container. The README includes a docker-compose.yml (with an Apple Silicon workaround) to start both.

How do I install it?

Run it with `npx websearch-mcp`, install globally with `npm install -g websearch-mcp`, or install for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery (`npx -y @smithery/cli install @mnhlt/WebSearch-MCP --client claude`).

View repo Full WebSearch MCP page