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npm-search-mcp-server

by btwiuse
OverviewSchemaRelated ServersScoreDiscussions
JavaScript
Remote

npm-search MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol server that allows you to search for npm packages by calling the npm search command.

Features:

  • Search npm packages using the npm search command

  • Supports both stdio and HTTP (streamable-http) transport modes

  • HTTP mode automatically enabled when PORT environment variable is set

  • Structured logging with Pino

  • Graceful shutdown handling

  • Health check endpoint (/health)

  • Session management for HTTP transport

Available Tools

  • search_npm_packages - Search for npm packages.

    • Required arguments:

      • query (string): The search query.

Claude Screenshot

Installation

Installing via Smithery

To install npm-search for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install npm-search-mcp-server --client claude

Using NPM (recommended)

Alternatively you can install npm-search-mcp-server via npm:

npm install -g npm-search-mcp-server

After installation, you can run it as a command using:

npm-search-mcp-server

Using uv

When using uv no specific installation is needed. We will use uvx to directly run npm-search-mcp-server.

Related MCP server: mcp-server-npm

Configuration

Configure for Claude.app

Add to your Claude settings:

"mcpServers": {
  "npm-search": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "npm-search-mcp-server"]
  }
}
"mcpServers": {
  "npm-search": {
    "command": "uvx",
    "args": ["npm-search-mcp-server"]
  }
}

Configure for Zed

Add to your Zed settings.json:

"context_servers": {
  "npm-search-mcp-server": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "npm-search-mcp-server"]
  }
},
"context_servers": [
  "npm-search-mcp-server": {
    "command": "uvx",
    "args": ["npm-search-mcp-server"]
  }
],

Example Interactions

  1. Search for npm packages:

{
  "name": "search_npm_packages",
  "arguments": {
    "query": "express"
  }
}

Response:

{
  "results": [
    {
      "name": "express",
      "description": "Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework",
      "version": "4.17.1",
      "author": "TJ Holowaychuk",
      "license": "MIT"
    },
    ...
  ]
}

Debugging

You can use the MCP inspector to debug the server. For uvx installations:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector npx -y npm-search-mcp-server

Or if you've installed the package in a specific directory or are developing on it:

cd path/to/servers/src/npm-search
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uv run npm-search-mcp-server

Examples of Questions for Claude

  1. "Search for express package on npm"

  2. "Find packages related to react"

  3. "Show me npm packages for web development"

Docker

The server can be run in a Docker container with HTTP transport support:

# Build the image
docker build -t mcp/npm-search .

# Run the container (default port 3009)
docker run -p 3009:3009 mcp/npm-search

# Run with custom port via environment variable
docker run -p 3009:3009 -e PORT=3009 mcp/npm-search

The Docker image uses HTTP transport when the PORT environment variable is set. The server exposes:

  • POST /mcp - Main MCP endpoint for tool calls and session initialization

  • GET /mcp - SSE stream endpoint for streaming responses (requires session ID)

  • DELETE /mcp - Session termination endpoint

  • GET /health - Health check endpoint with service status and active session count

For Docker Compose integration:

services:
  npm-search-mcp:
    build: .
    ports:
      - "3009:3009"
    environment:
      PORT: 3009

Contributing

We encourage contributions to help expand and improve npm-search-mcp-server. Whether you want to add new npm-related tools, enhance existing functionality, or improve documentation, your input is valuable.

For examples of other MCP servers and implementation patterns, see: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers

Pull requests are welcome! Feel free to contribute new ideas, bug fixes, or enhancements to make npm-search-mcp-server even more powerful and useful.

License

npm-search-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.

Available Tools

1 tool
search_npm_packagesC

Search for npm packages

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queryYesSearch query

TDQS

C2.6/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only states the action ('Search for npm packages') without detailing traits like rate limits, authentication needs, pagination, or response format. This leaves significant gaps in understanding how the tool behaves in practice.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence with no wasted words, making it appropriately concise. However, it lacks front-loaded critical information and could benefit from more structure to enhance clarity, but it avoids unnecessary verbosity.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's simplicity (1 parameter, no output schema, no annotations), the description is incomplete. It fails to address behavioral aspects like search result format, limitations, or error handling, which are essential for an agent to use the tool effectively despite the low complexity.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has 100% description coverage, with the 'query' parameter documented as 'Search query'. The description does not add any meaning beyond this, such as examples or constraints on the query format. With high schema coverage, the baseline score of 3 is appropriate as the schema handles the parameter documentation adequately.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose3/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description 'Search for npm packages' clearly states the verb (search) and resource (npm packages), making the basic purpose understandable. However, it lacks specificity about what kind of search this is (e.g., keyword search, advanced filtering) and doesn't differentiate from potential siblings since none exist, though it remains somewhat vague in scope.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, prerequisites, or context for its application. With no sibling tools, this is less critical, but it still offers no usage instructions, leaving the agent to infer based on the tool name alone.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

With only one tool, there is no possibility of confusion or overlap between tools. The tool's purpose is clearly defined and distinct by default.

Naming Consistency5/5

A single tool inherently has perfect naming consistency, as there are no other tools to compare against. The name 'search_npm_packages' follows a clear verb_noun pattern.

Tool Count2/5

One tool is too few for a server named 'npm-search-mcp-server', which suggests a broader npm-related scope. A single search tool feels thin and incomplete for interacting with npm packages beyond basic searches.

Completeness2/5

The tool surface is severely incomplete for npm package management. It only provides search functionality, lacking essential operations like getting package details, checking versions, or managing dependencies, which are core to the domain.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessSyncing

Resources

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