SearXNG
An MCP server for SearXNG that provides web search capabilities with concise model-visible output while preserving full result payloads in metadata. It supports search, parallel fetching, URL extraction, and research workflows through both local stdi
What is SearXNG?
SearXNG is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to mcp server for searxng that provides web search capabilities with concise model-visible output while preserving full result payloads in metadata. it supports search, parallel fetching, url extraction,...
An MCP server for SearXNG that provides web search capabilities with concise model-visible output while preserving full result payloads in metadata. It supports search, parallel fetching, URL extraction, and research workflows through both local stdi
This server falls under the Search & Data Extraction category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- web_search
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y searxngManual Installation
npx -y searxngConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use SearXNG
MCP-searxng is a lightweight Model Context Protocol server that connects AI assistants to a SearXNG privacy-focused metasearch instance. It exposes a single search tool that queries your own self-hosted SearXNG server and returns concise, model-readable results while keeping full result metadata available in the response payload. This makes it ideal for research workflows where you need web search without sending queries to a third-party search API.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.10 or later with the uv package manager installed
- A running SearXNG instance (self-hosted locally or on a server; defaults to http://localhost:8080)
- An MCP-compatible AI client such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf
- Optional: Docker for running SearXNG via the official Docker image
Set up a SearXNG instance
If you do not already have a SearXNG instance, run one locally with Docker. It will be available at http://localhost:8080.
docker run -d -p 8080:8080 --name searxng searxng/searxngInstall mcp-searxng via uvx (recommended)
The easiest way to run MCP-searxng is directly via uvx, which requires no manual installation of the package.
uvx mcp-searxngConfigure your MCP client with uvx
Add the server to your client's JSON config. Set the SEARXNG_URL environment variable if your instance runs on a different port or host.
{
"mcpServers": {
"searxng": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-searxng"],
"env": {
"SEARXNG_URL": "http://localhost:8080"
}
}
}
}Alternative: install from source
Clone the repository if you need to customise the server or run from a local path.
git clone https://github.com/SecretiveShell/MCP-searxng.git
cd MCP-searxng
uv syncConfigure the MCP client for a local source install
When running from source, point your MCP config at the absolute path to main.py.
{
"mcpServers": {
"searxng": {
"command": "uv",
"args": [
"--project", "/absolute/path/to/MCP-searxng/",
"run", "/absolute/path/to/MCP-searxng/mcp-searxng/main.py"
],
"env": {
"SEARXNG_URL": "http://localhost:8080"
}
}
}
}SearXNG Examples
Client configuration
Minimal MCP config using uvx pointing at a local SearXNG instance.
{
"mcpServers": {
"searxng": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-searxng"],
"env": {
"SEARXNG_URL": "http://localhost:8080"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
The server exposes a single search(query) tool. Use it through natural language in your AI client.
- "Search the web for the latest Python 3.13 release notes"
- "Find recent articles about Rust memory safety improvements"
- "Search for open-source alternatives to Elasticsearch"
- "Look up the current RFC status for HTTP/3 QUIC"
- "Find documentation for the SearXNG search API"Troubleshooting SearXNG
Connection refused to http://localhost:8080
Make sure your SearXNG container or service is actually running: docker ps or systemctl status searxng. If it runs on a different port, update SEARXNG_URL accordingly.
Claude Desktop shows the server as disconnected after restart
This is a known issue: fully terminate the Claude Desktop process before restarting it when the MCP server is active. On macOS use Activity Monitor to force-quit if needed.
Search returns empty results
SearXNG must have at least one search engine enabled and accessible. Open your SearXNG instance in a browser (http://localhost:8080) and confirm searches return results there before testing via MCP.
Frequently Asked Questions about SearXNG
What is SearXNG?
SearXNG is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that mcp server for searxng that provides web search capabilities with concise model-visible output while preserving full result payloads in metadata. it supports search, parallel fetching, url extraction, and research workflows through both local stdi It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install SearXNG?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y searxng. 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 SearXNG?
SearXNG works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is SearXNG free to use?
Yes, SearXNG 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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Browse More Search & Data Extraction MCP Servers
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Set Up SearXNG in Your Editor
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Quick Config Preview
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