npm package: @fastmcp-me/brave-search-mcp-server
Description: Brave Search MCP Server: web results, images, videos, rich results, AI summaries, and more.
Author: Brave Software, Inc.
Latest version: 2.0.54

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# Brave Search MCP Server

An MCP server implementation that integrates the Brave Search API, providing comprehensive search capabilities including web search, local business search, image search, video search, news search, and AI-powered summarization. This project supports both STDIO and HTTP transports, with STDIO as the default mode.

## Migration

### 1.x to 2.x

#### Default transport now STDIO

To follow established MCP conventions, the server now defaults to STDIO. If you would like to continue using HTTP, you will need to set the `BRAVE_MCP_TRANSPORT` environment variable to `http`, or provide the runtime argument `--transport http` when launching the server.

#### Response structure of `brave_image_search`

Version 1.x of the MCP server would return base64-encoded image data along with image URLs. This dramatically slowed down the response, as well as consumed unnecessarily context in the session. Version 2.x removes the base64-encoded data, and returns a response object that more closely reflects the original Brave Search API response. The updated output schema is defined in [`src/tools/images/schemas/output.ts`](https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/main/src/tools/images/schemas/output.ts).

## Tools

### Web Search (`brave_web_search`)
Performs comprehensive web searches with rich result types and advanced filtering options.

**Parameters:**
- `query` (string, required): Search terms (max 400 chars, 50 words)
- `country` (string, optional): Country code (default: "US")
- `search_lang` (string, optional): Search language (default: "en")
- `ui_lang` (string, optional): UI language (default: "en-US")
- `count` (number, optional): Results per page (1-20, default: 10)
- `offset` (number, optional): Pagination offset (max 9, default: 0)
- `safesearch` (string, optional): Content filtering ("off", "moderate", "strict", default: "moderate")
- `freshness` (string, optional): Time filter ("pd", "pw", "pm", "py", or date range)
- `text_decorations` (boolean, optional): Include highlighting markers (default: true)
- `spellcheck` (boolean, optional): Enable spell checking (default: true)
- `result_filter` (array, optional): Filter result types (default: ["web", "query"])
- `goggles` (array, optional): Custom re-ranking definitions
- `units` (string, optional): Measurement units ("metric" or "imperial")
- `extra_snippets` (boolean, optional): Get additional excerpts (Pro plans only)
- `summary` (boolean, optional): Enable summary key generation for AI summarization

### Local Search (`brave_local_search`)
Searches for local businesses and places with detailed information including ratings, hours, and AI-generated descriptions.

**Parameters:**
- Same as `brave_web_search` with automatic location filtering
- Automatically includes "web" and "locations" in result_filter

**Note:** Requires Pro plan for full local search capabilities. Falls back to web search otherwise.

### Video Search (`brave_video_search`)
Searches for videos with comprehensive metadata and thumbnail information.

**Parameters:**
- `query` (string, required): Search terms (max 400 chars, 50 words)
- `country` (string, optional): Country code (default: "US")
- `search_lang` (string, optional): Search language (default: "en")
- `ui_lang` (string, optional): UI language (default: "en-US")
- `count` (number, optional): Results per page (1-50, default: 20)
- `offset` (number, optional): Pagination offset (max 9, default: 0)
- `spellcheck` (boolean, optional): Enable spell checking (default: true)
- `safesearch` (string, optional): Content filtering ("off", "moderate", "strict", default: "moderate")
- `freshness` (string, optional): Time filter ("pd", "pw", "pm", "py", or date range)

### Image Search (`brave_image_search`)
Searches for images with automatic fetching and base64 encoding for direct display.

**Parameters:**
- `query` (string, required): Search terms (max 400 chars, 50 words)
- `country` (string, optional): Country code (default: "US")
- `search_lang` (string, optional): Search language (default: "en")
- `count` (number, optional): Results per page (1-200, default: 50)
- `safesearch` (string, optional): Content filtering ("off", "strict", default: "strict")
- `spellcheck` (boolean, optional): Enable spell checking (default: true)

### News Search (`brave_news_search`)
Searches for current news articles with freshness controls and breaking news indicators.

**Parameters:**
- `query` (string, required): Search terms (max 400 chars, 50 words)
- `country` (string, optional): Country code (default: "US")
- `search_lang` (string, optional): Search language (default: "en")
- `ui_lang` (string, optional): UI language (default: "en-US")
- `count` (number, optional): Results per page (1-50, default: 20)
- `offset` (number, optional): Pagination offset (max 9, default: 0)
- `spellcheck` (boolean, optional): Enable spell checking (default: true)
- `safesearch` (string, optional): Content filtering ("off", "moderate", "strict", default: "moderate")
- `freshness` (string, optional): Time filter (default: "pd" for last 24 hours)
- `extra_snippets` (boolean, optional): Get additional excerpts (Pro plans only)
- `goggles` (array, optional): Custom re-ranking definitions

### Summarizer Search (`brave_summarizer`)
Generates AI-powered summaries from web search results using Brave's summarization API.

**Parameters:**
- `key` (string, required): Summary key from web search results (use `summary: true` in web search)
- `entity_info` (boolean, optional): Include entity information (default: false)
- `inline_references` (boolean, optional): Add source URL references (default: false)

**Usage:** First perform a web search with `summary: true`, then use the returned summary key with this tool.

## Configuration

### Getting an API Key

1. Sign up for a [Brave Search API account](https://brave.com/search/api/)
2. Choose a plan:
   - **Free**: 2,000 queries/month, basic web search
   - **Pro**: Enhanced features including local search, AI summaries, extra snippets
3. Generate your API key from the [developer dashboard](https://api-dashboard.search.brave.com/app/keys)

### Environment Variables

The server supports the following environment variables:

- `BRAVE_API_KEY`: Your Brave Search API key (required)
- `BRAVE_MCP_TRANSPORT`: Transport mode ("http" or "stdio", default: "stdio")
- `BRAVE_MCP_PORT`: HTTP server port (default: 8080)
- `BRAVE_MCP_HOST`: HTTP server host (default: "0.0.0.0")
- `BRAVE_MCP_LOG_LEVEL`: Desired logging level("debug", "info", "notice", "warning", "error", "critical", "alert", or "emergency", default: "info")
- `BRAVE_MCP_ENABLED_TOOLS`: When used, specifies a whitelist for supported tools
- `BRAVE_MCP_DISABLED_TOOLS`: When used, specifies a blacklist for supported tools

### Command Line Options

```bash
node dist/index.js [options]

Options:
  --brave-api-key <string>    Brave API key
  --transport <stdio|http>    Transport type (default: stdio)
  --port <number>             HTTP server port (default: 8080)
  --host <string>             HTTP server host (default: 0.0.0.0)
  --logging-level <string>    Desired logging level (one of _debug_, _info_, _notice_, _warning_, _error_, _critical_, _alert_, or _emergency_)
  --enabled-tools             Tools whitelist (only the specified tools will be enabled)
  --disabled-tools            Tools blacklist (included tools will be disabled)
```

## Installation

### Installing via Smithery

To install Brave Search automatically via [Smithery](https://smithery.ai/server/brave):

```bash
npx -y @smithery/cli install brave
```

### Usage with Claude Desktop

Add this to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

#### Docker

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "BRAVE_API_KEY", "docker.io/mcp/brave-search"],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

#### NPX

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@brave/brave-search-mcp-server", "--transport", "http"],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Usage with VS Code

For quick installation, use the one-click installation buttons below:

[![Install with NPX in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-NPM-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=brave-search&inputs=%5B%7B%22password%22%3Atrue%2C%22id%22%3A%22brave-api-key%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22promptString%22%2C%22description%22%3A%22Brave+Search+API+Key%22%7D%5D&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40brave%2Fbrave-search-mcp-server%22%2C%22--transport%22%2C%22stdio%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%22BRAVE_API_KEY%22%3A%22%24%7Binput%3Abrave-api-key%7D%22%7D%7D) [![Install with NPX in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-NPM-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=brave-search&inputs=%5B%7B%22password%22%3Atrue%2C%22id%22%3A%22brave-api-key%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22promptString%22%2C%22description%22%3A%22Brave+Search+API+Key%22%7D%5D&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40brave%2Fbrave-search-mcp-server%22%2C%22--transport%22%2C%22stdio%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%22BRAVE_API_KEY%22%3A%22%24%7Binput%3Abrave-api-key%7D%22%7D%7D&quality=insiders)  
[![Install with Docker in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Docker-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=brave-search&inputs=%5B%7B%22password%22%3Atrue%2C%22id%22%3A%22brave-api-key%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22promptString%22%2C%22description%22%3A%22Brave+Search+API+Key%22%7D%5D&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22docker%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22run%22%2C%22-i%22%2C%22--rm%22%2C%22-e%22%2C%22BRAVE_API_KEY%22%2C%22mcp%2Fbrave-search%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%22BRAVE_API_KEY%22%3A%22%24%7Binput%3Abrave-api-key%7D%22%7D%7D) [![Install with Docker in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Docker-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=brave-search&inputs=%5B%7B%22password%22%3Atrue%2C%22id%22%3A%22brave-api-key%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22promptString%22%2C%22description%22%3A%22Brave+Search+API+Key%22%7D%5D&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22docker%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22run%22%2C%22-i%22%2C%22--rm%22%2C%22-e%22%2C%22BRAVE_API_KEY%22%2C%22mcp%2Fbrave-search%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%22BRAVE_API_KEY%22%3A%22%24%7Binput%3Abrave-api-key%7D%22%7D%7D&quality=insiders)

For manual installation, add the following to your User Settings (JSON) or `.vscode/mcp.json`:

#### Docker

```json
{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "password": true,
      "id": "brave-api-key",
      "type": "promptString",
      "description": "Brave Search API Key",
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "BRAVE_API_KEY", "mcp/brave-search"],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "${input:brave-api-key}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

#### NPX

```json
{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "password": true,
      "id": "brave-api-key",
      "type": "promptString",
      "description": "Brave Search API Key",
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "brave-search-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@brave/brave-search-mcp-server", "--transport", "stdio"],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "${input:brave-api-key}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Build

### Docker

```bash
docker build -t mcp/brave-search:latest .
```

### Local Build

```bash
npm install
npm run build
```

## Development

### Prerequisites

- Node.js 22.x or higher
- npm
- Brave Search API key

### Setup

1. Clone the repository:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server.git
cd brave-search-mcp-server
```

2. Install dependencies:
```bash
npm install
```

3. Build the project:
```bash
npm run build
```

### Testing via Claude Desktop

Add a reference to your local build in `claude_desktop_config.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brave-search-dev": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["C:\\GitHub\\brave-search-mcp-server\\dist\\index.js"], // Verify your path
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Testing via MCP Inspector

1. Build and start the server:
```bash
npm run build
node dist/index.js
```

2. In another terminal, start the MCP Inspector:
```bash
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js
```

STDIO is the default mode. For HTTP mode testing, add `--transport http` to the arguments in the Inspector UI.

### Testing via Smithery.AI

1. Establish and acquire a smithery.ai account and API key
2. Run `npm run install`, `npm run smithery:build`, and lastly `npm run smithery:dev` to begin testing

### Available Scripts

- `npm run build`: Build the TypeScript project
- `npm run watch`: Watch for changes and rebuild
- `npm run format`: Format code with Prettier
- `npm run format:check`: Check code formatting
- `npm run prepare`: Format and build (runs automatically on npm install)

- `npm run inspector`: Launch an instance of MCP Inspector
- `npm run inspector:stdio`: Launch a instance of MCP Inspector, configured for STDIO
- `npm run smithery:build`: Build the project for smithery.ai
- `npm run smithery:dev`: Launch the development environment for smithery.ai

### Docker Compose

For local development with Docker:

```bash
docker-compose up --build
```

## License

This MCP server is licensed under the MIT License. This means you are free to use, modify, and distribute the software, subject to the terms and conditions of the MIT License. For more details, please see the LICENSE file in the project repository.