Matrix / AI Research / Exa

Exa MCP server

AI Research · remote · Up · Docs + endpoint checked 2026-10-16

Exa has an official hosted MCP server at https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp. It uses Keyless (rate-limited), OAuth (?login), or API key (x-api-key header) over Streamable HTTP; local stdio (npx exa-mcp-server). Agents can use: web_search_exa, web_fetch_exa, web_search_advanced_exa (opt-in). Last checked 2026-10-16 10:06 PT: Up.

Works in
ClaudeChatGPTClaude CodeCursor
Sources: Claude · ChatGPT · Claude Code · Cursor, checked 2026-10-16
Access
Read only
Credits
Some tools use credits
Plan
Free
Setup
Self-serve
No admin step in the vendor's setup notes. Source: exa.ai, checked 2026-10-16
Useful for
AEs, SDRs, Marketing, Sales leaders

Exa MCP endpoint and transport

https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp
Transport
Streamable HTTP; local stdio (npx exa-mcp-server)
Docs
Official Exa MCP docs

Connect Exa without code

Exa's docs confirm it works in Claude and ChatGPT. You don't need a terminal or a config file. Check Exa's docs first: some vendors give you a personal URL or an API key to use in place of the plain endpoint.

Claude (web and desktop app)

If Exa shows up when you browse connectors in Claude, connect it from there instead. That skips steps 2 to 4.

  1. In Claude, open Customize → Connectors.
  2. Click + Add, then Add custom connector.
  3. Name it “Exa”, paste the server URL https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp, and click Continue.
  4. Review the sign-in settings Claude detected and click Add.
  5. Click Connect and sign in to Exa. Then ask Claude something like “What can the Exa connector do?”

On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors → Add → Custom → Web. Each person then connects it from Customize → Connectors. Free plans can add one custom connector.

Steps from the Claude Help Center: support.claude.com, checked 2026-10-16

ChatGPT

If Exa has its own plugin in ChatGPT's directory, install that instead.

  1. Go to chatgpt.com/plugins.
  2. Select +, then Add custom MCP server. If you don't see it, your plan or workspace settings may not allow custom servers, so ask your workspace admin.
  3. Enter a name and description. Under Connection, paste the server URL https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp.
  4. Set up sign-in, read the warning, and select I understand and want to continue.
  5. Select Create as a plugin. In a new chat, type @ and pick Exa.
Steps from the OpenAI developer docs: developers.openai.com, checked 2026-10-16
From Exa's docs: ChatGPT and Codex: install the Exa plugin from OpenAI's plugin directory. Claude Desktop, Web and Cowork: Exa's official connector in the directory. Claude Code: claude plugin install exa@claude-plugins-official. Cursor: Cursor marketplace or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. VS Code one-click install is documented (GitHub Copilot is not named). Claude Team/Enterprise admins can provision via Enterprise Managed Auth (Okta XAA). agent_run only appears with OAuth (?login) or an API key.Source: exa.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Developer setup (Claude Code, Cursor)

Add this to .mcp.json (Claude Code, project root) or ~/.cursor/mcp.json (Cursor). Remove the // comment line if your client requires strict JSON.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exa": {
      "url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}
  1. Add the endpoint to your client config (above), or as a custom connector in Claude.
  2. Complete the OAuth sign-in. In Claude Code, run /mcp and pick the server.
  3. Test it with a prompt like: “List the tools the Exa MCP server exposes.”

Exa MCP authentication

Keyless (rate-limited), OAuth (?login), or API key (x-api-key header)

Use OAuth sign-in for interactive use. For headless runs, use an API key in the X-Api-Key header.

What it can change

Read only The documented tools only read data. None of them create, change, delete or send anything.

Source: exa.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Cost and credits

Some tools use credits

Keyless connections use free rate limits; agent_run is usage-based and needs OAuth or an API key. With OAuth or an API key, usage bills to your Exa team's plan (pay-as-you-go credits; Free Tier gets $10/month).

Source: exa.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Plan required

Free

Source: exa.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Admin and governance

Controls Exa itself provides. Settings inside Claude or ChatGPT aren't counted here.

What the Exa MCP server can do

Exa MCP status

Up HTTP 200 · 116 ms · checked 2026-10-16 10:06 PT. Full status and history.

Exa MCP FAQ

What is the Exa MCP server URL?

https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp

How does Exa MCP authenticate?

Keyless (rate-limited), OAuth (?login), or API key (x-api-key header).

Which apps does Exa MCP work with?

Exa's docs confirm it works in Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code and Cursor. Other apps aren't confirmed in the docs yet.

Can I use Exa in Claude or ChatGPT without code?

Yes. Exa's docs confirm it works in Claude and ChatGPT. Add it as a connector in the app settings and sign in. No terminal or config file needed.

Can the Exa MCP server change my data?

No. The tools in Exa's docs only read data.

Does Exa MCP use credits?

Some tools use credits. Keyless connections use free rate limits; agent_run is usage-based and needs OAuth or an API key. With OAuth or an API key, usage bills to your Exa team's plan (pay-as-you-go credits; Free Tier gets $10/month).

What Exa plan do I need for MCP?

Free.

Is the Exa MCP server official?

Yes. It's documented on exa.ai, last checked 2026-10-16.

Related MCP servers

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