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pubmed-mcp-server
CommunityMCP server by cyanheads · updated · ★ 163 · 1.9k downloads a week
Search PubMed/Europe PMC, fetch articles and full text (PMC/EPMC/Unpaywall), citations, MeSH terms. pubmed-mcp-server is a community project by cyanheads, not verified by a company domain.
Last commit 10 days ago
Apache-2.0: permissive, fine for commercial use
Clear description, published package or server URL, 163 stars, original repository
No risky patterns in the files we checked
What you need
| Setting | Needed | What it is |
|---|---|---|
MCP_Environment variable | Optional | Sets the minimum log level for output (e.g., 'debug', 'info', 'warn'). Default: info |
NCBI_Environment variable | Optional | NCBI API key for higher rate limits (10 req/s vs 3 req/s). |
NCBI_Environment variable | Optional | Contact email sent with NCBI requests (recommended by NCBI). |
UNPAYWALL_Environment variable | Optional | Contact email for Unpaywall. When set, pubmed_fetch_fulltext falls back to Unpaywall open-access copies for DOIs not in PMC. |
From the publisher's entry in the official MCP Registry. Required settings are already in the install config below as placeholders.
Install pubmed-mcp-server
Built from the published package, never by AIclaude mcp add pubmed-mcp-server -- npx -y @cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-serverRun in your terminal. Add --scope user to use it in every project.
{
"mcpServers": {
"pubmed-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Settings, Developer, Edit config. Paste into claude_desktop_config.json and restart.
{
"mcpServers": {
"pubmed-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (all projects) or .cursor/mcp.json (this project).
{
"servers": {
"pubmed-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to .vscode/mcp.json. VS Code uses "servers", not "mcpServers".
codex mcp add pubmed-mcp-server -- npx -y @cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server{
"mcpServers": {
"pubmed-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to ~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json (all projects) or .agents/mcp_config.json (this project).
gemini mcp add pubmed-mcp-server npx -y @cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-serverGemini CLI was replaced by Antigravity CLI in June 2026 and remains only for enterprise licences and paid API keys.
MCP servers run with your permissions and can read what you give them access to. Some need an API key: check the README and add it under env in the pubmed-mcp-server block.
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Security check
ANo download-and-run commands, hidden instructions or signs of sending keys out were found.
Checked automatically: README.md, package.json. This looks for known risky patterns and is not a full audit. How grades work
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pubmed-mcp-server: common questions
How do I install pubmed-mcp-server?
In Claude Code run claude mcp add pubmed-mcp-server -- npx -y @cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server. For Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code, paste the config shown above and restart. See the install guides.
Is pubmed-mcp-server the official server?
pubmed-mcp-server is a community project by cyanheads, not verified by a company domain.
Is pubmed-mcp-server free?
The code is published under the Apache-2.0 licence. The service it connects to may have its own pricing.
Is pubmed-mcp-server safe to use?
It scores 83 of 100. Grades: maintenance A, licence A, quality B. Security check: grade A, no risky patterns found in the files checked. Review the code before you install. How grades work.
What are alternatives to pubmed-mcp-server?
Similar MCP servers: exa, Agent Skills Search Server, brave, Atlassian Rovo MCP Server.
Does pubmed-mcp-server work with ChatGPT?
Yes. Add its server URL in ChatGPT as a custom connector. See MCP in ChatGPT.