What is Kagi Search?

Kagi Search is a MCP server for searching the web through Kagi’s search API and other tools like video summarization.

How to use Kagi Search?

1. Ensure you have access to Kagi’s search API (request at support@kagi.com for entry into the beta).
2. Install 'uv' and then install Kagi Search via Smithery or manually.
3. Configure by adding the API key and (optionally) summarizer engine to Claude Desktop’s configuration file.
4. Pose queries that require tools, such as web searches or video summaries.

Key features of Kagi Search?

• Integration with Kagi’s search and summarization tools.
• Compatibility with Claude Desktop.
• Various summarization engines (e.g., "daphne", "cecil").
• Customizable logging and search configuration.

Use cases of Kagi Search?

1. Fetching search results using Kagi’s private, uncensored web search.
2. Summarizing videos or web pages via the summarization API.
3. Using efficiently search tools from the comfort of Claude Desktop.
4. Setting custom summarization engine parameters.

FAQ from Kagi Search?

• Do I need a Kagi API key? How do I obtain it?

Yes. Email support@kagi.com for access (closed beta subject to availability).

• Is Smithery required?

No, but it provides an easy install method. Manual installation is also available.

• Where is the Claude Desktop config file located?

Hamburger Menu → File → Settings → Developer → Edit Config.

• How do I debug caused by Kagi Search?

Run the MCP Inspector and observe logs.

Kagi MCP server

Setup Intructions

Before anything, unless you are just using non-search tools, ensure you have access to the search API. It is currently in closed beta and available upon request. Please reach out to support@kagi.com for an invite.

Install uv first.

MacOS/Linux:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Windows:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Installing via Smithery

Alternatively, you can install Kagi for Claude Desktop via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install kagimcp --client claude

Setup with Claude Desktop

// claude_desktop_config.json
// Can find location through:
// Hamburger Menu -> File -> Settings -> Developer -> Edit Config
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagi": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["kagimcp"],
      "env": {
        "KAGI_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE",
        "KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE": "YOUR_ENGINE_CHOICE_HERE" // Defaults to "cecil" engine if env var not present
      }
    }
  }
}

Pose query that requires use of a tool

e.g. "Who was time's 2024 person of the year?" for search, or "summarize this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw" for summarizer.

Debugging

Run:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uvx kagimcp

Local/Dev Setup Instructions

Clone repo

git clone https://github.com/kagisearch/kagimcp.git

Install dependencies

Install uv first.

MacOS/Linux:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Windows:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Then install MCP server dependencies:

cd kagimcp

# Create virtual environment and activate it
uv venv

source .venv/bin/activate # MacOS/Linux
# OR
.venv/Scripts/activate # Windows

# Install dependencies
uv sync

Setup with Claude Desktop

Using MCP CLI SDK

# `pip install mcp[cli]` if you haven't
mcp install /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp/src/kagimcp/server.py -v "KAGI_API_KEY=API_KEY_HERE"

Manually

# claude_desktop_config.json
# Can find location through:
# Hamburger Menu -> File -> Settings -> Developer -> Edit Config
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagi": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "/ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp",
        "run",
        "kagimcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "KAGI_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE",
        "KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE": "YOUR_ENGINE_CHOICE_HERE" // Defaults to "cecil" engine if env var not present
      }
    }
  }
}

Pose query that requires use of a tool

e.g. "Who was time's 2024 person of the year?" for search, or "summarize this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw" for summarizer.

Debugging

Run:

# If mcp cli installed (`pip install mcp[cli]`)
mcp dev /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp/src/kagimcp/server.py

# If not
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector \
      uv \
      --directory /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/kagimcp \
      run \
      kagimcp

Then access MCP Inspector at http://localhost:5173. You may need to add your Kagi API key in the environment variables in the inspector under KAGI_API_KEY.

Advanced Configuration

• Level of logging is adjustable through the FASTMCP_LOG_LEVEL environment variable (e.g. FASTMCP_LOG_LEVEL="ERROR")
  • Relevant issue: https://github.com/kagisearch/kagimcp/issues/4
• Summarizer engine can be customized using the KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE environment variable (e.g. KAGI_SUMMARIZER_ENGINE="daphne")
  • Learn about the different summarization engines here