arena-mcp
# arena-mcp
An MCP server for [Are.na](https://www.are.na) — visual search for design
references (curated channels, image blocks, authors) right from Claude Code.
Built on the **Are.na v2 API** (`https://api.are.na/v2`): v3 flags search as
Premium Only, while v2 offers free search and public content without a token.
## Tools
| Tool | What it does |
|------|-----------|
| `arena_search` | Search: `type` = all / channels / blocks / users |
| `arena_channel` | Channel metadata by slug or id (+ description) |
| `arena_channel_contents` | Blocks inside a channel (the images themselves, paginated) |
| `arena_block` | Details of a single block + channels it was added to |
| `arena_user_channels` | Channels of a specific author |
Every result is a compact object with `image` (image URL) and `arenaUrl`
(link to are.na) — handy for collecting references.
## Token (optional, but recommended)
Public content is readable without a token. `ARENA_TOKEN` (a personal access
token from https://www.are.na/developers/personal-access-tokens) unlocks private
channels, block/user search (a WAF blocks it without a token), and higher rate
limits.
## Installation
```bash
pnpm install && pnpm build
claude mcp add arena --scope user \
--env ARENA_TOKEN=<your-token> \
-- node /absolute/path/arena-mcp/dist/index.js
```
Check: `claude mcp get arena` → `Status: ✔ Connected`.
## Development
- `pnpm build` — compile to `dist/`
- `pnpm typecheck` — type checking
- API client — `src/arena.ts`, MCP wrapper — `src/index.ts`
Fresh-package gate (supply-chain) — via `~/.npmrc` (`minimum-release-age`),
install with `pnpm` only.
## License
[MIT](LICENSE) © Alex Vortep
TDQS
Scored across 5 tools
Each tool targets a distinct resource: search results, channel metadata, channel contents, individual blocks, and a user's channels. There is no meaningful overlap, and the intended workflow (search -> channel -> contents -> block) is clear.
All tool names follow the same arena_ + noun pattern with snake_case and the server prefix applied uniformly. Even though search is more action-like, the overall naming is predictable and easy to extrapolate.
Five tools is a well-scoped set for a read-only Are.na browsing server. Each tool covers a distinct primary object or action, and the count is neither bloated nor too thin for the apparent purpose.
The set covers the core read-only workflows: search, inspect channels, page through contents, view block details, and list a user's channels. Minor gaps exist, such as direct user profile metadata or broader discovery feeds, but they do not break the main usage flow.