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How to install Exa MCP Server in Claude Desktop

To install Exa MCP Server in Claude Desktop, open Settings, Developer, Edit Config, paste the "exa-mcp-server" block into mcpServers in claude_desktop_config.json, and restart the app.

Built from the published package · server updated yesterday

  1. 1

    Open the config file

    In Claude Desktop, go to Settings, then Developer, then Edit Config.

  2. 2

    Add the server

    Paste this into the file. If you already have servers, add the "exa-mcp-server" entry inside your existing mcpServers block.

    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "exa-mcp-server": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": [
            "-y",
            "exa-mcp-server"
          ]
        }
      }
    }
  3. 3

    Restart Claude Desktop

    Quit the app fully and open it again. The server appears under the tools icon in a new chat.

Config file: macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json · Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

MCP servers run with your permissions. If Exa MCP Server needs an API key, add it under env in the config. Check its README.

Install Exa MCP Server in another app

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Questions

Does Exa MCP Server work in Claude Desktop?

Yes. Claude Desktop supports local mcp servers through a config file, remote servers as connectors, and Exa MCP Server installs with the steps above.

Exa MCP Server does not show up in Claude Desktop. What now?

Restart Claude Desktop fully, check the JSON is valid, and make sure Node.js (for npx) is installed. See common MCP errors and fixes.

Is Exa MCP Server safe?

It scores 94 of 100. Review the code before you install it, and only give it the access it needs. Grades and details.