docsearch/packages/website/docs/mcp/installation.mdx

---
title: Install DocSearch MCP
description: Install and configure the DocSearch MCP server.
sidebar_label: Installation
---

import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';

DocSearch MCP is a hosted remote MCP server. It doesn't require authentication:

```text
https://mcp.algolia.com/1/docsearch/mcp
```

Use `@docsearch/cli` to configure a supported coding agent, or add the endpoint to another MCP client manually.

## Install with `@docsearch/cli`

The DocSearch CLI requires Node.js 20 or later. Run the interactive installer without installing the package globally:

<Tabs groupId="package-manager" aria-label="Package manager">
  <TabItem value="npm" label="npm">

```sh
npx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="yarn" label="Yarn">

```sh
yarn dlx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="pnpm" label="pnpm">

```sh
pnpm dlx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="bun" label="Bun">

```sh
bunx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup
```

  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

The installer asks whether to update the current project or your user-level settings. It detects and configures these clients:

- Cursor
- Claude Code
- Codex
- OpenCode
- Gemini CLI

For each selected client, the installer adds the `algolia-docsearch` server, a rule that describes when to search documentation, and a skill that describes the tool workflow. Project setup finds the repository root before writing files. You can run setup again without removing unrelated configuration.

Pass a scope and client flags to skip the prompts:

<Tabs groupId="package-manager" aria-label="Package manager">
  <TabItem value="npm" label="npm">

```sh
npx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --project --cursor --claude --yes
npx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --global --all --yes
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="yarn" label="Yarn">

```sh
yarn dlx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --project --cursor --claude --yes
yarn dlx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --global --all --yes
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="pnpm" label="pnpm">

```sh
pnpm dlx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --project --cursor --claude --yes
pnpm dlx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --global --all --yes
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="bun" label="Bun">

```sh
bunx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --project --cursor --claude --yes
bunx @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2 setup --global --all --yes
```

  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

Use `--cursor`, `--claude`, `--codex`, `--opencode`, or `--gemini` to select clients. Use either `--project` or `--global`, not both.

To install the `docsearch` command globally, run:

<Tabs groupId="package-manager" aria-label="Package manager">
  <TabItem value="npm" label="npm">

```sh
npm install --global @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2
docsearch setup
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="yarn" label="Yarn">

```sh
yarn global add @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2
docsearch setup
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="pnpm" label="pnpm">

```sh
pnpm add --global @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2
docsearch setup
```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="bun" label="Bun">

```sh
bun add --global @docsearch/cli@^0.0.2
docsearch setup
```

  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Install a client plugin

Plugins include the MCP connection and instructions that teach the client when and how to use DocSearch.

### Claude Code

Run these commands inside Claude Code:

```text
/plugin marketplace add algolia/docsearch
/plugin install algolia-docsearch@algolia-docsearch-marketplace
```

The plugin adds the MCP server, a skill, and the `/algolia-docsearch:docs` command.

### Cursor

The Cursor plugin package is in the DocSearch repository at:

```text
mcp/plugins/docsearch/cursor/algolia-docsearch
```

It includes the MCP server configuration, a rule, and a skill.

## Configure a supported agent manually

Manual configuration adds the server but doesn't install the rules and skills supplied by the CLI or plugins.

<Tabs groupId="mcp-client" aria-label="MCP client">
<TabItem value="cursor" label="Cursor">

Add this entry to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` for user-level configuration or `.cursor/mcp.json` for project configuration:

```json title=".cursor/mcp.json"
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "algolia-docsearch": {
      "url": "https://mcp.algolia.com/1/docsearch/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="claude" label="Claude Code">

Add the user-level remote server with the Claude Code CLI:

```sh
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http algolia-docsearch https://mcp.algolia.com/1/docsearch/mcp
```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="codex" label="Codex">

Add the remote server with the Codex CLI:

```sh
codex mcp add algolia-docsearch --url https://mcp.algolia.com/1/docsearch/mcp
```

You can also add the URL under `[mcp_servers.algolia-docsearch]` in `~/.codex/config.toml`.

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="opencode" label="OpenCode">

Add this entry to `opencode.json` or `opencode.jsonc`:

```json title="opencode.json"
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "algolia-docsearch": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://mcp.algolia.com/1/docsearch/mcp",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="gemini" label="Gemini CLI">

Add this entry to `.gemini/settings.json` for project configuration or `~/.gemini/settings.json` for user-level configuration:

```json title=".gemini/settings.json"
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "algolia-docsearch": {
      "httpUrl": "https://mcp.algolia.com/1/docsearch/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Connect another MCP client

You can also connect clients that support remote HTTP MCP servers. Use these connection methods:

- **Claude Desktop**: Add a custom connector named `Algolia DocSearch` with the endpoint URL.
- **ChatGPT**: Add a no-auth custom connector. Availability depends on the plan and workspace settings.
- **Pi**: Install an MCP extension or adapter before adding the server.
- **VS Code**: Add a remote server to the workspace or user MCP configuration. The tools are available in Copilot Chat agent mode.
- **Windsurf**: Add the endpoint to the Cascade MCP configuration, then restart Windsurf.
- **Zed**: Add the endpoint as a context server.
- **Conductor**: Configure the server in the selected Claude Code, Codex, or Cursor host. Conductor doesn't use a separate MCP configuration for those sessions.
- **Antigravity**: Add the endpoint through **Manage MCP Servers > View raw config**, then refresh the installed servers.

Configuration keys differ by client. Follow the client's MCP documentation and keep the server name `algolia-docsearch` and the endpoint URL unchanged.

## Verify the installation

Ask your client to search public documentation:

```text
Use DocSearch MCP to find the Next.js middleware matcher documentation.
```

Confirm that the client calls a tool whose name starts with `algolia_docsearch_` and returns source links from the selected documentation.

If verification fails, see [Troubleshooting](/docs/mcp/usage#troubleshooting).