Tavily MCP

How to Install and Use Tavily MCP

Tavily MCP is a powerful server that helps you search, extract, map, and crawl websites easily. It works with tools like Claude Desktop, Cursor, and VS Code. Here’s a simple guide to get you started with installing and using Tavily MCP.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have a few things ready. You need a Tavily API key, which you can get for free by signing up at tavily.com. Also, install one of these apps: Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code. Finally, you need Node.js (version 20 or higher) and Git if you plan to use the Git method.

Running Tavily MCP with NPX

The easiest way to run Tavily MCP is using NPX. This method does not require you to install anything permanently.

To start the server, open your terminal and run:

npx -y tavily-mcp@latest

This command downloads and runs Tavily MCP instantly.

Installing Tavily MCP via Git

If you want more control, you can install Tavily MCP from the GitHub repository.

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/tavily-ai/tavily-mcp.git
cd tavily-mcp

1. Install the required packages:

npm install

1. Build the project:

npm run build

Now the server is ready to run from your local machine.

Configuring Tavily MCP in VS Code

To use Tavily MCP in VS Code, you need to add a configuration file with your API key.

1. Open VS Code and press Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac).

2. Type and select Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON).

3. Add this JSON block, replacing <your-api-key> with your actual Tavily API key:

{
  "mcp": {
    "inputs": [
      {
        "type": "promptString",
        "id": "tavily_api_key",
        "description": "Tavily API Key",
        "password": true
      }
    ],
    "servers": {
      "tavily": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "tavily-mcp@latest"],
        "env": {
          "TAVILY_API_KEY": "${input:tavily_api_key}"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Save the file. Now VS Code can use Tavily MCP with your API key.

Using Tavily MCP with Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop supports adding integrations like Tavily MCP.

1. Open Claude Desktop and click the button with two sliders.

2. Go to “Add integrations” and click it.

3. Name the integration (for example, “Tavily MCP”) and enter this URL with your API key:

https://mcp.tavily.com/mcp/?tavilyApiKey=<your-api-key>

1. Click Add to confirm.

Now Tavily MCP is connected to Claude Desktop, and you can use its tools directly.

Connecting to the Remote Tavily MCP Server

If you don’t want to run the server locally, you can connect to Tavily’s remote MCP server.

Use this URL with your API key:

https://mcp.tavily.com/mcp/?tavilyApiKey=<your-api-key>

You can also pass your API key in an Authorization header like this:

Authorization: Bearer <your-api-key>

This way, you get all the benefits without installing or configuring anything on your computer.

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With these steps, you can quickly set up and start using Tavily MCP for web searching, data extraction, and more. Just get your Tavily API key, pick your preferred app, and follow the simple instructions above.