npm Search
MCP server for searching npm packages
What is npm Search?
npm Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to mcp server for searching npm packages
MCP server for searching npm packages
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- search_npm_packages
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y npm-search-mcp-serverManual Installation
npx -y npm-search-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use npm Search
The npm Search MCP Server exposes a single, focused tool that queries the npm package registry directly from AI conversations, returning structured metadata including package name, description, latest version, author, and license for any search query. It is built in JavaScript and runs via npx with zero configuration required, making it immediately usable with Claude Desktop and other MCP clients. Developers can use this server to discover, compare, and explore npm packages without leaving their AI assistant workflow.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ installed
- npx available in your PATH (comes with Node.js)
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor
- Internet access to query the npm registry
Install the package globally (optional)
You can install npm-search-mcp-server globally, or simply use npx to run it on demand without a separate install step.
npm install -g npm-search-mcp-serverAdd to Claude Desktop configuration
Edit your Claude Desktop config file to add the npm-search server. Using npx means Node.js handles downloading and running the package automatically.
{
"mcpServers": {
"npm-search": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "npm-search-mcp-server"]
}
}
}Restart Claude Desktop
Close and reopen Claude Desktop to load the npm-search server. The search_npm_packages tool will be available in subsequent conversations.
Verify the tool is available
Ask Claude to search for a package to confirm the tool is working correctly.
npm Search Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration for the npm Search MCP server using npx for zero-install execution.
{
"mcpServers": {
"npm-search": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "npm-search-mcp-server"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts using the search_npm_packages tool to find and explore npm packages.
- "Search npm for HTTP request libraries and compare the top results"
- "Find the most popular React form validation packages on npm"
- "What npm packages are available for parsing Markdown?"
- "Look up the express package on npm and tell me about it"Troubleshooting npm Search
npx: command not found when Claude tries to start the server
Ensure Node.js 18+ is installed and that npx is available in the PATH used by Claude Desktop. On macOS, you may need to set the PATH in your shell profile (.zshrc or .bash_profile) to include the Node.js bin directory.
search_npm_packages returns no results or times out
Check your internet connectivity, as the server queries the npm registry at registry.npmjs.org. If running in a corporate network, verify that outbound HTTPS traffic to the npm registry is not blocked by a firewall or proxy.
Frequently Asked Questions about npm Search
What is npm Search?
npm Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that mcp server for searching npm packages It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install npm Search?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y npm-search-mcp-server. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with npm Search?
npm Search works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is npm Search free to use?
Yes, npm Search is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Quick Config Preview
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