stackexchange-mcp-server
Server Details
Search Stack Exchange questions, fetch Q&A threads as markdown, look up tag FAQs and user profiles.
- Status
- Healthy
- Last Tested
- Transport
- Streamable HTTP
- URL
- Repository
- cyanheads/stackexchange-mcp-server
- GitHub Stars
- 1
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Usage analytics
See which tools your agents call, how often, and when, so you can understand usage patterns and catch anomalies.
Tool Definition Quality
Average 4.4/5 across 5 of 5 tools scored.
Each tool targets a distinct functionality: tag FAQ, thread retrieval, user profile, site listing, and search. No two tools overlap in purpose, and cross-references are clearly documented.
All tools follow a consistent 'stackexchange_verb_noun' pattern with snake_case. Verbs are descriptive and nouns reflect the resource (e.g., get_thread, list_sites).
With 5 tools, the server is tightly scoped to core Stack Exchange read operations. Each tool serves a necessary role without unnecessary duplication.
The set covers all major read actions: site discovery, search, tag-based FAQ, full thread retrieval, and user info. Missing operations like user question lists or comment retrieval are minor gaps for typical agent tasks.
Available Tools
5 toolsstackexchange_get_tag_faqGet Stack Exchange Tag FAQARead-onlyIdempotentInspect
Fetch the highest-voted answered questions for a tag on a Stack Exchange site — the canonical "best answers in X" list. Returns a question list without bodies; use stackexchange_get_thread to read the full body and answers for any result. Use this tool to find the authoritative community resources on a topic (e.g. tag "javascript" on stackoverflow). Use stackexchange_search_questions for free-text search rather than tag-based browsing.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| tag | Yes | Tag to look up (e.g. "python", "javascript", "docker"). Must match exactly. | |
| site | No | Stack Exchange site — use the api_site_parameter value (e.g. "stackoverflow", "superuser"). Defaults to "stackoverflow". Call stackexchange_list_sites to discover valid values. | stackoverflow |
| pageSize | No | Number of results to return (1–30, default 10). |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cap | No | The pageSize cap applied to this request. |
| tag | Yes | Tag name used for this FAQ lookup. |
| site | Yes | Stack Exchange site api_site_parameter used for this lookup. |
| shown | No | Number of results returned. |
| notice | No | Actionable guidance when results are empty or filtered. |
| quotaMax | Yes | Maximum API quota calls per day (300 keyless, ~10,000 with API key). |
| questions | Yes | Highest-voted answered questions for the specified tag, ordered by votes. |
| truncated | No | True when results were capped at pageSize. |
| attribution | Yes | Content license notice. Stack Exchange content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and requires attribution. |
| quotaRemaining | Yes | Remaining API quota calls for the current day. |
Tool Definition Quality
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already provide readOnlyHint and idempotentHint. Description adds that the result is a question list without bodies and directs to another tool for full content. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three sentences, front-loaded with purpose, no extraneous information.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Has output schema, so return format not needed. Description explains that bodies are excluded, covers parameters via schema, and points to other tools. Adequate for the complexity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. Description adds minimal extra value beyond schema definitions (e.g., suggests stackexchange_list_sites for 'site' parameter).
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the verb 'Fetch' and resource 'highest-voted answered questions for a tag', and distinguishes from sibling tools like stackexchange_search_questions for free-text search.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicitly states when to use (find authoritative community resources) and when not to (use stackexchange_search_questions for free-text), and suggests stackexchange_get_thread for reading full bodies/answers.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
stackexchange_get_threadGet Stack Exchange Q&A ThreadARead-onlyIdempotentInspect
Fetch a complete Q&A thread — question body and all answers, accepted answer first then sorted by score, rendered as clean markdown with fenced code blocks. Accepts an integer question ID or a full Stack Exchange question URL (e.g. "https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11227809/why-is-processing-a-sorted-array-faster" or "11227809"). HTML is normalized to markdown automatically; attribution (author + link) included per CC BY-SA 4.0. Get question IDs from stackexchange_search_questions or stackexchange_get_tag_faq.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| site | No | Stack Exchange site — use the api_site_parameter value (e.g. "stackoverflow", "superuser"). Defaults to "stackoverflow". Must match the site where the question lives. Call stackexchange_list_sites to discover valid values. | stackoverflow |
| maxAnswers | No | Maximum number of answers to include (1–100, default 10). Answers are sorted: accepted first, then by score. | |
| questionIdOrUrl | Yes | Numeric question ID (e.g. "11227809") or a full Stack Exchange question URL (e.g. "https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11227809/why-is-processing-a-sorted-array-faster"). The integer immediately following /questions/ is extracted from URLs. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cap | No | The maxAnswers cap applied to this request. |
| link | Yes | Direct URL to the question. |
| tags | Yes | Tags applied to this question. |
| score | Yes | Question score (upvotes minus downvotes). |
| shown | No | Number of answers returned. |
| title | Yes | Question title. |
| answers | Yes | Answers sorted: accepted answer first, then by score descending. |
| quotaMax | Yes | Maximum API quota calls per day (300 keyless, ~10,000 with API key). |
| truncated | No | True when answers were capped at maxAnswers. |
| authorLink | No | Question author profile URL when available. |
| authorName | No | Question author display name when available. |
| questionId | Yes | Numeric question ID — identifies this thread on the site. |
| answerCount | No | Total answers the question has upstream. When greater than the returned answers[] length, more answers exist — raise maxAnswers to fetch them. |
| authorUserId | No | Question author numeric user ID when available — pass to stackexchange_get_user to fetch the full profile. |
| bodyMarkdown | Yes | Question body normalized from HTML to markdown. |
| quotaRemaining | Yes | Remaining API quota calls for the current day. |
| acceptedAnswerId | No | ID of the accepted answer when one exists. |
Tool Definition Quality
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint. The description adds behavioral details: automatic HTML-to-markdown normalization, attribution per CC BY-SA 4.0, and answer sorting (accepted first, then by score). No contradiction with annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three sentences, front-loaded with main purpose. Every sentence adds unique information: first sentence states core function and output format, second explains accepted inputs and normalization, third mentions how to obtain IDs from siblings. No fluff.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the output schema (mentioned but not shown), annotations, and sibling tools, the description is complete. It covers input format, output format, sorting, attribution, and source of IDs. No missing context for correct invocation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so the description adds value for questionIdOrUrl (accepts ID or URL with extraction rule) and site (api_site_parameter value, defaults). For maxAnswers, it repeats schema info. Overall, it enhances understanding beyond the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses specific verbs like 'Fetch' and 'complete Q&A thread', clearly distinguishing it from siblings that search or list sites. It explicitly mentions output format (markdown with fenced code blocks) and sorting order.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description states when to use the tool (to get a thread), provides prerequisites (question IDs from two sibling tools), and implies when not to use (when you need to search). It does not explicitly list alternatives, but the context is clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
stackexchange_get_userGet Stack Exchange User ProfileARead-onlyIdempotentInspect
Fetch a Stack Exchange user profile by numeric user ID: reputation, badge counts, top tags by answer score, and account metadata. Useful for credibility context on an answer author — pass the authorUserId from any question or answer in stackexchange_get_thread output. Returns profile fields plus up to 10 top tags by answer score.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| site | No | Stack Exchange site — use the api_site_parameter value (e.g. "stackoverflow", "superuser"). Defaults to "stackoverflow". Call stackexchange_list_sites to discover valid values. | stackoverflow |
| userId | Yes | Numeric user ID — use the authorUserId field from a question or answer in stackexchange_get_thread output. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| link | Yes | Direct URL to the user profile. |
| userId | Yes | Numeric user ID on this Stack Exchange site. |
| topTags | Yes | Top tags by answer score (up to 10). Empty array for new users with no answers. |
| location | No | User-provided location string when available. |
| quotaMax | Yes | Maximum API quota calls per day (300 keyless, ~10,000 with API key). |
| reputation | Yes | User reputation score. |
| websiteUrl | No | User-provided website URL when available. |
| answerCount | No | Total number of answers posted when provided by the API. |
| badgeCounts | No | Badge counts when provided by the API. |
| displayName | Yes | Display name shown on the site. |
| questionCount | No | Total number of questions posted when provided by the API. |
| quotaRemaining | Yes | Remaining API quota calls for the current day. |
Tool Definition Quality
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already provide readOnlyHint=true, openWorldHint=true, and idempotentHint=true, so the description does not need to restate safety. The description adds value by detailing that it returns reputation, badge counts, top tags by answer score, account metadata, and up to 10 top tags, which complements the annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is three sentences with no superfluous words. It front-loads the main action and return fields, then adds usage context and additional detail. Every sentence earns its place.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the low complexity (2 parameters, 1 required), 100% schema coverage, and presence of an output schema, the description fully covers purpose, input source, and return contents. It answers the key questions an AI agent would have to invoke this tool correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with descriptions for both parameters. The description adds practical context by mentioning 'pass the authorUserId from...' and 'numeric user ID', which is consistent with the schema but reinforces usage. This slightly exceeds the baseline of 3.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states 'Fetch a Stack Exchange user profile by numeric user ID' and lists specific return fields (reputation, badge counts, top tags, account metadata). It distinguishes from sibling tools like stackexchange_get_thread and stackexchange_search_questions by focusing on user profile rather than threads, tags, or search.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly says 'useful for credibility context on an answer author' and instructs to use 'the authorUserId from any question or answer in stackexchange_get_thread output'. This provides clear when-to-use guidance. However, it does not mention when not to use or list explicit alternatives, so it falls short of a 5.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
stackexchange_list_sitesList Stack Exchange SitesARead-onlyIdempotentInspect
Enumerate all sites in the Stack Exchange network — name, api_site_parameter, audience, and URL. The api_site_parameter value is what other tools accept as the site input (e.g. "stackoverflow", "superuser", "serverfault"). Results are fetched live and optionally filtered by name. Use this tool to discover valid site parameters before calling other stackexchange_* tools.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| filter | No | Optional case-insensitive name filter — returns only sites whose name contains all provided tokens. Omit to return all sites. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| sites | Yes | Stack Exchange network sites matching the optional name filter. |
| notice | No | Actionable guidance when results are empty or filtered. |
| quotaMax | Yes | Maximum API quota calls per day (300 keyless, ~10,000 with API key). |
| totalCount | Yes | Total number of sites returned after filtering. |
| quotaRemaining | Yes | Remaining API quota calls for the current day. |
Tool Definition Quality
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true, so the safety profile is clear. The description adds that results are 'fetched live' and optionally filtered, but this is minimal additional behavioral context. With output schema present, no need to detail return values.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is three sentences, each purposeful: first enumerates fields, second explains api_site_parameter, third gives usage context. No redundancy or filler.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The description fully covers the tool's simple behavior (list sites, optional filter), complements annotations and output schema, and guides the agent on when to call it.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%. The description adds semantic value by explaining that filter is 'case-insensitive' and that omitting it returns all sites, which goes beyond the schema's basic description.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses specific verb 'enumerate' and resource 'sites in the Stack Exchange network', listing exact fields returned. It clearly distinguishes from sibling tools (which deal with tags, threads, users, or questions) by focusing on site enumeration.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly advises using this tool before other stackexchange_* tools to discover valid site parameters. While it doesn't list negative cases, the context and sibling names imply when not to use it.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
stackexchange_search_questionsSearch Stack Exchange QuestionsARead-onlyIdempotentInspect
Search questions across a Stack Exchange site. Returns ranked questions with title, score, answer count, accepted status, tags, and excerpt — no bodies at this stage. Results supply question_id values for stackexchange_get_thread, which fetches the full question body and all answers. Use the site parameter to target a specific community (e.g. "stackoverflow", "superuser", "unix"); call stackexchange_list_sites to discover valid site values.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| site | No | Stack Exchange site to search — use the api_site_parameter value (e.g. "stackoverflow", "superuser", "serverfault"). Defaults to "stackoverflow". Call stackexchange_list_sites to discover valid values. | stackoverflow |
| sort | No | Result ordering: "relevance" (default, best match), "votes" (highest score first), "activity" (most recently active), "newest" (most recently created). | relevance |
| tags | No | Filter results to questions with all specified tags. | |
| query | Yes | Full-text search query (e.g. "python async generator send value"). | |
| minScore | No | Minimum question score — excludes questions with lower scores. Setting minScore orders results by score (votes), which may differ from the requested sort. | |
| pageSize | No | Number of results to return (1–30, default 10). | |
| acceptedOnly | No | When true, return only questions that have an accepted answer. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cap | No | The pageSize cap applied to this request. |
| shown | No | Number of results returned. |
| notice | No | Actionable guidance when results are empty or filtered. |
| quotaMax | Yes | Maximum API quota calls per day (300 keyless, ~10,000 with API key). |
| questions | Yes | Questions matching the search query, ordered by the specified sort. |
| truncated | No | True when results were capped at pageSize. |
| attribution | Yes | Content license notice. Stack Exchange content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and requires attribution. |
| quotaRemaining | Yes | Remaining API quota calls for the current day. |
Tool Definition Quality
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, and idempotentHint. The description adds value by disclosing that the tool returns no bodies (only excerpts), that results provide question_id for follow-up, and that minScore may override the sort order. This goes beyond what annotations convey.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences long, with every sentence adding essential information. It is front-loaded with the core purpose and quickly moves to key differentiators and usage context. No redundant or extraneous text.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the parameter count (7), presence of an output schema, and rich annotations, the description is thorough. It covers the return value, limitations, relationships to sibling tools, and parameter guidance. It does not mention pagination or rate limits, but these are likely handled by the output schema or general API knowledge.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds context beyond the schema, such as suggesting stackexchange_list_sites for the site parameter and noting the behavior change when minScore is set. This extra guidance justifies a score above baseline.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool searches questions across a Stack Exchange site, specifies the returned fields (title, score, answer count, accepted status, tags, excerpt), and explicitly notes what is not returned (no bodies). It also distinguishes itself from siblings by mentioning how results feed into stackexchange_get_thread and how to discover sites via stackexchange_list_sites.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explains when to use this tool (initial search) and directs the agent to stackexchange_get_thread for full question bodies and stackexchange_list_sites for valid site values. It does not explicitly state when not to use it, but the context is clear enough to guide appropriate usage.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Claim this connector by publishing a /.well-known/glama.json file on your server's domain with the following structure:
{
"$schema": "https://glama.ai/mcp/schemas/connector.json",
"maintainers": [{ "email": "your-email@example.com" }]
}The email address must match the email associated with your Glama account. Once published, Glama will automatically detect and verify the file within a few minutes.
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Tool-level analytics – see which tools are being used most, helping you prioritize development and documentation
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