elsevier-mcp

MCP server for the Elsevier Developer APIs. Gives Claude Code access to Scopus, ScienceDirect, and other Elsevier academic databases.

Quick Start

Get a free API key at dev.elsevier.com, then pick an install method below.

Claude Code — plugin marketplace (recommended)

This repository is a Claude Code plugin marketplace. Add it, then install the plugin — no clone or npm install required:

/plugin marketplace add kemalabuteliyte/elsevier-mcp
/plugin install elsevier-mcp@elsevier-tools

The plugin ships a self-contained server bundle, so it just works once installed. Provide your API key through your environment before launching Claude Code:

export ELSEVIER_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
# optional — institutional access unlocks all 14 tools:
# export ELSEVIER_INST_TOKEN=your_institutional_token
# export ELSEVIER_ENABLE_ALL_TOOLS=true

Restart Claude Code. The elsevier tools are now available. Done.

Claude Desktop — one-click install

Download the latest .mcpb file from Releases, then open it with Claude Desktop. You'll be prompted to enter your API key during setup.

Manual install (from source)

git clone https://github.com/kemalabuteliyte/elsevier-mcp.git
cd elsevier-mcp
npm install
npm run build

Then add to your Claude Code settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "elsevier": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/elsevier-mcp/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "ELSEVIER_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Or via CLI:

claude mcp add elsevier -e ELSEVIER_API_KEY=your_key -- node /absolute/path/to/elsevier-mcp/dist/index.js

Related MCP server: Global Papers MCP

Available Tools

These 6 tools work with a free Elsevier API key:

Enabling All Tools (Institutional Access)

8 additional tools require institutional network access, an institutional token, or additional API subscriptions. Enable with ELSEVIER_ENABLE_ALL_TOOLS=true:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "elsevier": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/elsevier-mcp/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "ELSEVIER_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here",
        "ELSEVIER_INST_TOKEN": "your_institutional_token",
        "ELSEVIER_ENABLE_ALL_TOOLS": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

To get institutional access:

• Connect from a university/institutional network with a Scopus subscription

• Or request an institutional token from apisupport@elsevier.com

• The server automatically attempts IP-based authentication on 401 errors

Example Queries

Scopus search uses Boolean syntax with field codes:

• TITLE(machine learning) AND PUBYEAR > 2020

• AUTH(Einstein) AND TITLE(relativity)

• AFFIL(MIT) AND KEY(quantum computing) AND PUBYEAR = 2024

• DOI(10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121092)

Environment Variables

Troubleshooting

• 401 error: Your API key lacks entitlements for this endpoint. You may need institutional access or an institutional token.

• 403 error: Your API key doesn't have the required subscription for this resource.

• 429 error: Rate limit exceeded. Elsevier quotas reset weekly.

• No results: Try broadening your query or using different field codes.

License

MIT