Community Research MCP

# Troubleshooting: Poor Results & API Configuration ## Problem: Getting Limited or Poor Search Results ### Why This Happens 1. **Limited Free APIs** - Stack Overflow API: Limited to tagged questions - GitHub API: Only searches issues/discussions - Reddit API: Hit or miss for technical content - Hacker News API: Limited technical coverage 2. **Niche/New Topics** - Newer technologies have less community content - Niche topics have fewer discussions - Version-specific queries get fewer results 3. **No Google Search Access** - Free APIs don't include Google - Most comprehensive answers are in Google results ### Solution: Add Better Search APIs The server **fully supports** additional search APIs. Add them to your `.env` file: #### Option A: Add Serper (BEST FIX - Recommended) **Gives you Google Search access!** 1. Go to: https://serper.dev/ 2. Sign up (free account) 3. Get API key (2,500 free searches/month) 4. Add to `.env`: ``` SERPER_API_KEY=your_key_here ``` 5. Restart Claude Desktop **Result:** Access to Google Search = dramatically better results! #### Option B: Add Perplexity **Has built-in web search and real-time data** 1. Go to: https://www.perplexity.ai/settings/api 2. Get API key (5 free requests/day, then paid) 3. Add to `.env`: ``` PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here ``` **Result:** Better web coverage, especially for recent topics #### Option C: Add Brave Search **Privacy-focused alternative to Google** 1. Go to: https://brave.com/search/api/ 2. Get API key (2,000 free/month) 3. Add to `.env`: ``` BRAVE_SEARCH_API_KEY=your_key_here ``` ### Solution: Improve Search Queries **Instead of very specific queries:** ``` search for React hooks useState with TypeScript generic types ``` **Try broader terms:** ``` search for React hooks TypeScript ``` **Or general concepts:** ``` search for React state management ``` **Why?** More content exists for general topics than hyper-specific ones. --- ## Problem: "Can't Add Other API Keys" ### The Options Aren't Missing! The server **fully supports** these APIs: - ✅ Gemini (LLM) - ✅ OpenAI (LLM) - ✅ Anthropic (LLM) - ✅ OpenRouter (LLM - 100+ models) - ✅ Perplexity (LLM + web search) - ✅ Serper (Google Search) - ✅ Brave Search ### How to Add API Keys **Step 1: Open your `.env` file** Location: Same folder as `community_research_mcp.py` If it doesn't exist: ```bash # Copy the example copy .env.example .env ``` **Step 2: Add your keys** Edit the `.env` file: ```bash # LLM Providers (need at least one) GEMINI_API_KEY=AIzaSy... OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-proj-... ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-... OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-... PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=pplx-... # Search APIs (optional but highly recommended) SERPER_API_KEY=... # ⭐ BEST for improving results BRAVE_SEARCH_API_KEY=... ``` **Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop** Close completely and restart. **Step 4: Verify** In Claude Desktop: ``` use get_server_context ``` Should show your configured provider under `available_providers.configured` ### Why You Might Think Options Are Missing The server uses **environment variables** (`.env` file) for configuration, not a UI panel. This is by design for: - **Security** - API keys not stored in visible config files - **Flexibility** - Easy to change or update - **Portability** - Works across different systems --- ## Improving Results: Step-by-Step ### Step 1: Check Current Setup In Claude Desktop: ``` use get_server_context ``` Look at: - `available_providers.configured` - Which LLM you're using - No mention of SERPER/BRAVE - Using only free APIs ### Step 2: Add Serper API Key (Biggest Impact) 1. **Get key:** https://serper.dev/ 2. **Add to `.env`:** ``` SERPER_API_KEY=your_key_here ``` 3. **Restart Claude Desktop** 4. **Test:** ``` search for Python async best practices ``` You should see dramatically more results! ### Step 3: Try Better LLM Providers (Optional) If you're using Gemini (free) and want better synthesis: **OpenRouter** (Free $5 credit): ``` OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your_key ``` **Perplexity** (5 free/day + web search): ``` PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key ``` ### Step 4: Adjust Search Strategy **For new/niche topics:** - Use broader terms - Search for general concepts - Avoid version-specific queries **For popular topics:** - Can be more specific - More community content available --- ## Verification Checklist ### ✅ Check 1: .env File Exists Windows: ```cmd dir C:\path\to\community-research-mcp\.env ``` Should show the file. If not, copy from `.env.example` ### ✅ Check 2: API Keys Are Set Windows: ```cmd type C:\path\to\community-research-mcp\.env ``` Should show your keys (not empty) ### ✅ Check 3: Server Recognizes Keys In Claude Desktop: ``` use get_server_context ``` Check `available_providers.configured` field ### ✅ Check 4: Test Search Works Try a popular topic: ``` search for JavaScript async await patterns ``` Should return multiple results. If yes, setup is correct! --- ## Free API Key Recommendations ### For Best Results (Recommended): 1. **SERPER_API_KEY** (2,500 free/month) - Get it: https://serper.dev/ - Why: Google Search access = 10x better results - Cost: FREE 2. **GEMINI_API_KEY** (1,500 free/day) - Get it: https://makersuite.google.com/app/apikey - Why: Free LLM for synthesis - Cost: FREE ### For Even Better Results: 3. **PERPLEXITY_API_KEY** (5 free/day) - Get it: https://www.perplexity.ai/settings/api - Why: Built-in web search + LLM - Cost: 5 free/day, then paid 4. **OPENROUTER_API_KEY** ($5 free credit) - Get it: https://openrouter.ai/keys - Why: Access to 100+ models - Cost: $5 free credit --- ## Summary **Problem:** Poor/limited search results **Root Causes:** - Using only free APIs (SO, GitHub, Reddit, HN) - No Google Search access - Niche or new topics have less content **Best Solution:** Add SERPER_API_KEY for Google Search (2,500 free/month) **How to Add API Keys:** 1. Edit `.env` file in server folder 2. Add keys (see `.env.example` for all options) 3. Restart Claude Desktop 4. Use `get_server_context` to verify **All Options ARE Available:** Just add them to `.env` - no missing features! --- ## Still Having Issues? 1. ✅ Check `.env.example` for all available options 2. ✅ Make sure `.env` exists (not just .env.example) 3. ✅ Add at least one LLM key 4. ✅ Add SERPER_API_KEY for best results 5. ✅ Restart Claude Desktop after changes 6. ✅ Use broader search terms for niche topics 7. ✅ Verify with `get_server_context` See **CLAUDE_DESKTOP_SETUP.md** for more troubleshooting help.