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kagi-kan-mcp

by czottmann

kagi-ken-mcp

A lightweight Node MCP server around the kagi-ken package, providing access to Kagi.com services using Kagi session tokens:

  • Search: Searches Kagi

  • Summarizer: Uses Kagi's Summarizer to create summaries from URLs or text content

Unlike the official Kagi API which requires API access, this MCP server uses your existing Kagi session to access both search and summarization features.

"Kagi-ken" is a portmanteau of "Kagi" (the service) and "token".

Why?

The Kagi API requires a separate API key, which are invite-only at the moment. If you already have a Kagi subscription but no API access, yet want to programmatically access Kagi's services from LLMs or agents like Claude, this MCP server provides an alternative.

Related MCP server: kagi-session2api-mcp

Features

  • Search: Fetch web results using Kagi Search with concurrent query processing

  • Summarization: Summarize content from URLs with customizable output types and languages

The server supports two methods for using your Kagi session token (see Installation), in this order:

  1. KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN environment variable

  2. ~/.kagi_session_token file containing the token string

It includes comprehensive error handling:

  • Connection timeouts (10 seconds per search)

  • Invalid input validation

  • Environment variable validation

  • Graceful error formatting

Installation

Node.js 22+ is required.

1. Get Kagi Session Token

  1. Visit Kagi Settings in your browser

  2. Copy the Session Link

  3. Extract the token value from the link

  4. Use that value as your session token: save to ~/.kagi_session_token (recommended), alternatively pass as KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN env variable

The server will automatically try the environment variable first, then fall back to the token file.

WARNING

Security Note: Keep your session token private. It provides access to your Kagi account.

2.a. Add MCP server to Claude Desktop

Add kagi-ken-mcp to your claude_desktop_config.json which you can open from the Claude Desktop app via Settings → Developer → Local MCP Servers → Edit Config.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagi-ken-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "github:czottmann/kagi-ken-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Option 2: Using environment variable

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagi-ken-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "github:czottmann/kagi-ken-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN": "YOUR_SESSION_TOKEN_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Post-install

Disable Claude Desktop's built-in websearch so it'll use this here MCP server. And maybe add this to your "Personal preferences" (i.e., system prompt) in Settings:

For web searches, use kagi-ken-mcp MCP server's `kagi_search_fetch` tool.
For summarizing a URL, use the kagi-ken-mcp MCP server's `kagi_summarizer` tool.

2.b. Add MCP server to Claude Code

claude mcp add kagi-ken-mcp --scope user -- npx -y github:czottmann/kagi-ken-mcp

Option 2: Using environment variable

claude mcp add kagi-ken-mcp \
  --scope user \
  --env KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN="YOUR_SESSION_TOKEN_HERE" -- \
  npx -y github:czottmann/kagi-ken-mcp

Post-install

Disable Claude Code's built-in web search (optional) by setting the permission in the relevant .claude/settings*.json file:

{
  "permissions": {
    "deny": [
      "WebSearch"
    ],
    "allow": [
      "mcp__kagi-ken-mcp__kagi_search_fetch",
      "mcp__kagi-ken-mcp__kagi_summarizer"
    ]
  }
}

Usage: 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=sczwaYyaevY" for summarizer.

Tools

kagi_search_fetch

Fetch web results based on one or more queries using the Kagi Search API. Results are numbered continuously for easy reference.

Parameters:

  • queries (array of strings): One or more search queries

kagi_summarizer

Summarize content from URLs using the Kagi Summarizer API. Supports various document types including webpages, videos, and audio.

Parameters:

  • url (string): URL to summarize

  • summary_type (enum): "summary" for paragraph prose or "takeaway" for bullet points (default: "summary")

  • target_language (string, optional): Language code (e.g., "EN" for English, default: "EN")

Development

Project Structure

kagi-ken-mcp/
├── src/
│   ├── index.js              # Main server entry point
│   ├── tools/
│   │   ├── search.js         # Search tool implementation
│   │   └── summarizer.js     # Summarizer tool implementation
│   └── utils/
│       └── formatting.js     # Utility functions
├── package.json
└── README.md

Installation

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone <repository-url>
    cd kagi-ken-mcp
  2. Install dependencies:

    npm install

Running in Development Mode

npm run dev

Debugging

Use the MCP Inspector to debug:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node ./src/index.js

Then access the inspector at http://localhost:5173. If using environment variables, add your KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN in the environment variables section of the inspector.

Contributing

  1. Fork the repository

  2. Create a feature branch

  3. Make your changes

  4. Test with the MCP Inspector

  5. Submit a pull request

Author

Carlo Zottmann, carlo@zottmann.dev, https://c.zottmann.dev, https://github.com/czottmann.

This project is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Kagi. I'm just a very happy customer.

TIP

I make Shortcuts-related macOS & iOS productivity apps likeActions For Obsidian, Browser Actions (which adds Shortcuts support for several major browsers), and BarCuts (a surprisingly useful contextual Shortcuts launcher). Check them out!

Available Tools

2 tools
kagi_search_fetchKagi SearchA

Fetch web results based on one or more queries using the Kagi.com web search engine. Use for general search and when the user explicitly tells you to 'fetch' results/information. Results are from all queries given. They are numbered continuously, so that a user may be able to refer to a result by a specific number. Supports optional limit parameter to control results per query.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queriesYesOne or more concise, keyword-focused search queries. Include essential context within each query for standalone use.
limitNoMaximum number of search results per query (default: 10, max: 50)

TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It explains that results from multiple queries are merged and numbered continuously, which is helpful beyond the schema. However, it does not disclose auth requirements, rate limits, or error behavior, leaving gaps.

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

Conciseness5/5

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

The description is composed of three concise sentences, each adding necessary information. It front-loads the purpose and provides essential behavioral details without fluff. Every sentence earns its place.

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

Completeness3/5

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

Given the simplicity of the tool, the description covers the main purpose and behavior. However, with no output schema, it lacks details about the response structure (e.g., result fields), which an agent may need to interpret results. It is adequate but not fully complete for a tool with no annotations.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds value by explaining how the queries parameter affects output (combined, numbered), which is not in the schema. The limit parameter description in the text is redundant with the schema, but the added context for queries raises the score.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states the tool fetches web results using Kagi search, specifying the action ('fetch') and resource ('web results'). It also provides a specific usage hint ('when the user tells you to fetch'), which distinguishes it from general tasks.

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

Usage Guidelines4/5

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

The description explicitly says 'Use for general search and when the user explicitly tells you to fetch results/information.' This gives clear context for when to invoke, though it does not mention alternatives or when not to use, missing some guidance.

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

kagi_summarizerKagi SummarizerA

Summarize content from a URL using the Kagi.com Summarizer API. The Summarizer can summarize any document type (text webpage, video, audio, etc.)

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
urlYesA URL to a document to summarize.
summary_typeNoType of summary to produce. Options are 'summary' for paragraph prose and 'takeaway' for a bulleted list of key points.summary
target_languageNoDesired output language using language codes (e.g., 'EN' for English). If not specified, the document's original language influences the output.

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

With no annotations, the description must bear full burden. It mentions the API and broad document support but does not disclose rate limits, auth needs, or error scenarios. Basic behavior is covered but lacks depth.

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

Conciseness5/5

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

Two sentences, front-loaded with core purpose, no redundant information. Efficient and to the point.

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

Completeness4/5

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

For a tool with 3 parameters and no output schema, the description covers purpose and capability well. Lacks output format hint or limitations, but overall adequate given simplicity.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds value by stating the tool handles any document type (webpage, video, audio), providing context beyond the schema's parameter descriptions.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states the tool summarizes content from a URL using Kagi API, specifying support for any document type. It differentiates from the sibling tool 'kagi_search_fetch' which likely retrieves search results.

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

Usage Guidelines3/5

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

The description implies general usage ('summarize any document type') but provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus the sibling 'kagi_search_fetch', nor exclusions or prerequisites.

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

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 1 tool updatev1.0.0
    • Changedkagi_search_fetch1 field changed
      • addedInput schema / properties / limit
        Added value: +{
        +  "description": "Maximum number of search results per query (default: 10, max: 50)",
        +  "maximum": 50,
        +  "minimum": 1,
        +  "type": "integer"
        +}
  2. 2 tool updates
    • First observedkagi_search_fetch
    • First observedkagi_summarizer

TDQS

A4.2/5.0

Scored across 2 tools

Disambiguation5/5

The two tools serve entirely different purposes: one for fetching web search results, the other for summarizing content from a URL. There is no overlap or ambiguity.

Naming Consistency5/5

Both tools use a consistent 'kagi_<action>' pattern (kagi_search_fetch and kagi_summarizer), making the naming predictable and easy to follow.

Tool Count4/5

With only two tools, the server is minimal but still covers its core capabilities of search and summarization. Each tool earns its place, though the count is slightly below the typical 3-15 range.

Completeness4/5

The tool set covers the fundamental operations for the server's purpose: searching the web and summarizing content. Minor gaps like additional result filtering or multiple summary modes exist, but the core workflow is complete.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo issues

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