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tavily-mcp
CommunityMCP server by tavily-ai · updated · ★ 2.4k · 12k downloads a week
MCP server for advanced web search using Tavily tavily-mcp is a community project by tavily-ai, not verified by a company domain.
Last commit 7 days ago
MIT: permissive, fine for commercial use
Published package or server URL, 2,440 stars, original repository
Asks for administrator rights (sudo)
What you need
| Setting | Needed | What it is |
|---|---|---|
TAVILY_Environment variable, secret | Required | Your Tavily API key from tavily.com |
DEFAULT_Environment variable | Optional | JSON string with default search parameters (e.g., {"include_images": true, "max_results": 15}) |
From the publisher's entry in the official MCP Registry. Required settings are already in the install config below as placeholders.
Install tavily-mcp
Built from the published package, never by AIclaude mcp add tavily-mcp -e TAVILY_API_KEY=YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY -- npx -y tavily-mcpRun in your terminal. Add --scope user to use it in every project.
{
"mcpServers": {
"tavily-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"tavily-mcp"
],
"env": {
"TAVILY_API_KEY": "YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}Settings, Developer, Edit config. Paste into claude_desktop_config.json and restart.
{
"mcpServers": {
"tavily-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"tavily-mcp"
],
"env": {
"TAVILY_API_KEY": "YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (all projects) or .cursor/mcp.json (this project).
{
"servers": {
"tavily-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"tavily-mcp"
],
"env": {
"TAVILY_API_KEY": "YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}Add to .vscode/mcp.json. VS Code uses "servers", not "mcpServers".
codex mcp add tavily-mcp --env TAVILY_API_KEY=YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY -- npx -y tavily-mcp{
"mcpServers": {
"tavily-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"tavily-mcp"
],
"env": {
"TAVILY_API_KEY": "YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}Add to ~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json (all projects) or .agents/mcp_config.json (this project).
gemini mcp add tavily-mcp npx -y tavily-mcpGemini 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 tavily-mcp block.
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Security check
C- Asks for administrator rights (sudo)In
README.md:`sudo
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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tavily-mcp: common questions
How do I install tavily-mcp?
In Claude Code run claude mcp add tavily-mcp -e TAVILY_API_KEY=YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY -- npx -y tavily-mcp. For Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code, paste the config shown above and restart. See the install guides.
Is tavily-mcp the official server?
tavily-mcp is a community project by tavily-ai, not verified by a company domain.
Is tavily-mcp free?
The code is published under the MIT licence. The service it connects to may have its own pricing.
Is tavily-mcp safe to use?
It scores 88 of 100. Grades: maintenance A, licence A, quality B. Security check: grade C (asks for administrator rights (sudo)). Review the code before you install. How grades work.
What are alternatives to tavily-mcp?
Similar MCP servers: exa, Agent Skills Search Server, brave, Atlassian Rovo MCP Server.
Does tavily-mcp work with ChatGPT?
Not directly. It runs locally, and ChatGPT only connects to remote servers with a URL. Use it in Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code or Codex.