# How to integrate Exa MCP with Claude Code ```json { "title": "How to integrate Exa MCP with Claude Code", "toolkit": "Exa", "toolkit_slug": "exa", "framework": "Claude Code", "framework_slug": "claude-code", "url": "https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/claude-code", "markdown_url": "https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/claude-code.md", "updated_at": "2026-05-06T08:11:01.203Z" } ``` ## Introduction Manage your Exa directly from Claude Code with zero worries about OAuth hassles, API-breaking issues, or reliability and security concerns. You can do this in two different ways: - Via [Composio Connect](https://dashboard.composio.dev/login?utm_source=toolkits&utm_medium=framework_template&utm_campaign=claude-code&utm_content=composio_connect&next=%2F~%2Forg%2Fconnect%2Fclients%2Fclaude-code) - Direct and easiest approach - Via [Composio SDK](https://docs.composio.dev/docs?utm_source=toolkits&utm_medium=framework_template&utm_campaign=claude-code&utm_content=composio_sdk) - Programmatic approach with more control ## Also integrate Exa with - [OpenAI Agents SDK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/open-ai-agents-sdk) - [Claude Agent SDK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/claude-agents-sdk) - [Claude Cowork](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/claude-cowork) - [Codex](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/codex) - [OpenClaw](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/openclaw) - [Hermes](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/hermes-agent) - [CLI](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/cli) - [Google ADK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/google-adk) - [LangChain](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/langchain) - [Vercel AI SDK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/ai-sdk) - [Mastra AI](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/mastra-ai) - [LlamaIndex](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/llama-index) - [CrewAI](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/crew-ai) ## TL;DR - Only one MCP URL to connect multiple apps with Claude Code with zero auth hassles. - Programmatic tool calling allows LLMs to write its code in a remote workbench to handle complex tool chaining. Reduces to-and-fro with LLMs for frequent tool calling. - Handling Large tool responses out of LLM context to minimize context rot. - Dynamic just-in-time access to 20,000 tools across 1000+ other Apps for cross-app workflows. It loads the tools you need, so LLMs aren't overwhelmed by tools you don't need. ## Connect Exa to Claude Code ### Connecting Exa to Claude Code using Composio 1. Add the Composio MCP to Claude ```bash claude mcp add --scope user --transport http composio https://connect.composio.dev/mcp ``` ## What is Claude Code? Claude Code is Anthropic's command line developer tool that lets you use Claude directly inside your terminal. Instead of switching between your editor, browser, and chat, you can stay in your project folder and ask Claude to help you build, debug, refactor, and understand code right where you're working. Key features include: - Terminal-Native Experience: Work with Claude directly in your command line without switching contexts - MCP Support: Built-in support for Model Context Protocol servers to extend Claude's capabilities - Project Context: Claude understands your project structure and can read, write, and modify files - Interactive Development: Ask questions, debug code, and get help in real-time while coding - Multi-Platform: Works on macOS, Linux, WSL, and Windows ## What is the Exa MCP server, and what's possible with it? The Exa MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that connects your AI agent and assistants like Claude, Cursor, etc directly to your Exa account. It provides structured and secure access to your Exa data platform, so your agent can perform actions like extracting answers from web data, running semantic searches, managing imports, and automating monitoring across your datasets. - Citation-backed question answering: Have your agent generate direct, source-cited answers or detailed summaries for your research questions using Exa’s advanced search. - Semantic similarity search: Quickly find web pages or documents that are semantically related to a given URL, complete with highlights or summaries for context. - Data import and webset management: Let your agent create, configure, or delete imports and websets to streamline data gathering and enrichment workflows. - Automated data monitoring: Schedule and manage monitors for websets to keep your data fresh and up-to-date with minimal manual intervention. - Event tracking and retrieval: Access a full history of system events or fetch details for specific events to stay on top of activity within your Exa environment. ## Supported Tools | Tool slug | Name | Description | |---|---|---| | `EXA_ANSWER` | Generate an answer | Generates a direct, citation-backed answer to a clear natural language question or topic using exa's search, adept at both specific answers and detailed summaries for open-ended queries. | | `EXA_CREATE_IMPORT` | Create Import | Tool to create a new import to upload data into a webset. use when you need to initialize an import before uploading the data file. | | `EXA_CREATE_MONITOR` | Create a Monitor | Tool to create a new monitor. use when you need to schedule automated updates for a webset without manual runs. | | `EXA_CREATE_WEBSET` | Create Webset | Tool to create a new webset with search, import, and enrichment setup. use when you need to configure and seed a webset in one call. | | `EXA_DELETE_IMPORT` | Delete import | Tool to delete an existing import. use when you need to permanently remove an import by its id. | | `EXA_DELETE_WEBSET` | Delete webset | Tool to delete a webset. use after confirming the webset id to permanently remove the webset and all its items. | | `EXA_FIND_SIMILAR` | Find similar | Finds web pages semantically similar to a given url using embeddings-based search, optionally retrieving full text, highlights, or summaries for results. | | `EXA_GET_CONTENTS_ACTION` | Get contents from URLs or document IDs | Retrieves configurable text and highlights from a list of exa document ids or publicly accessible urls. | | `EXA_GET_EVENT` | Get Event | Tool to get details of a specific event by its id. use when you have an event id and need its full details. | | `EXA_LIST_EVENTS` | List events | Tool to list all events that have occurred in the system. use when you need to paginate through the event history. | | `EXA_LIST_IMPORTS` | List imports | Tool to list all imports for the webset. use when you need to paginate through and monitor import jobs. | | `EXA_LIST_WEBHOOKS` | List webhooks | Tool to list all webhooks for websets. use when you need to view existing webhooks and paginate through results. | | `EXA_SEARCH` | Search | Performs a web search using the exa engine, useful for queries requiring advanced filtering, specific content categories, or ai-optimized prompting. | | `EXA_UPDATE_IMPORT` | Update import | Tool to update an import configuration by id. use when you need to modify an import's title or metadata. | ## Supported Triggers None listed. ## Creating MCP Server - Stand-alone vs Composio SDK The Exa MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that connects Claude Code (and other AI assistants like Claude and Cursor) directly to your Exa account. It provides structured and secure access so Claude can perform Exa operations on your behalf. With Composio's managed implementation, you don't have to create your own developer app. For production, if you're building an end product, we recommend using your own credentials. The managed server helps you prototype fast and go from 0-1 faster. ## Step-by-step Guide ### 1. Prerequisites Before starting, make sure you have: - Claude Pro, Max, or API billing enabled Anthropic account - Composio API Key - A Exa account - Basic knowledge of Python or TypeScript ### 1. Install Claude Code To install Claude Code, use one of the following methods based on your operating system: ```bash # macOS, Linux, WSL curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash # Windows PowerShell irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex # Windows CMD curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd ``` ### 2. Set up Claude Code Open a terminal, go to your project folder, and start Claude Code: - Claude Code will open in your terminal - Follow the prompts to sign in with your Anthropic account - Complete the authentication flow - Once authenticated, you can start using Claude Code ```bash cd your-project-folder claude ``` ### 3. Set up environment variables Create a .env file in your project root with the following variables: - COMPOSIO_API_KEY authenticates with Composio (get it from [Composio dashboard](https://dashboard.composio.dev/login?utm_source=toolkits&utm_medium=framework_template&utm_campaign=claude-code&utm_content=api_key&next=%2F~%2Forg%2Fconnect%2Fclients%2Fclaude-code)) - USER_ID identifies the user for session management (use any unique identifier) ```bash COMPOSIO_API_KEY=your_composio_api_key_here USER_ID=your_user_id_here ``` ### 4. Install Composio library No description provided. ```python pip install composio-core python-dotenv ``` ```typescript npm install @composio/core dotenv ``` ### 5. Generate Composio MCP URL No description provided. ```python import os from composio import Composio from dotenv import load_dotenv load_dotenv() COMPOSIO_API_KEY = os.getenv("COMPOSIO_API_KEY") USER_ID = os.getenv("USER_ID") composio_client = Composio(api_key=COMPOSIO_API_KEY) composio_session = composio_client.create( user_id=USER_ID, toolkits=["exa"], ) COMPOSIO_MCP_URL = composio_session.mcp.url print(f"MCP URL: {COMPOSIO_MCP_URL}") print(f"\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:") print(f'claude mcp add --transport http exa-composio "{COMPOSIO_MCP_URL}" --headers "X-API-Key:{COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"') ``` ```typescript import 'dotenv/config'; import { Composio } from '@composio/core'; const { COMPOSIO_API_KEY, USER_ID } = process.env; if (!COMPOSIO_API_KEY || !USER_ID) { throw new Error('COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID required in .env'); } const composioClient = new Composio({ apiKey: COMPOSIO_API_KEY }); const composioSession = await composioClient.create(USER_ID, { toolkits: ['exa'], }); const composioMcpUrl = composioSession?.mcp.url; console.log(`MCP URL: ${composioMcpUrl}`); console.log(`\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:`); console.log(`claude mcp add --transport http exa-composio "${composioMcpUrl}" --headers "X-API-Key:${COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"`); ``` ### 6. Run the script and copy the MCP URL No description provided. ```python python generate_mcp_url.py ``` ```typescript node --loader ts-node/esm generate_mcp_url.ts # or if using tsx tsx generate_mcp_url.ts ``` ### 7. Add Exa MCP to Claude Code In your terminal, add the MCP server using the command from the previous step. The command format is: - claude mcp add registers a new MCP server with Claude Code - --transport http specifies that this is an HTTP-based MCP server - The server name (exa-composio) is how you'll reference it - The URL points to your Composio Tool Router session - --headers includes your Composio API key for authentication After running the command, close the current Claude Code session and start a new one for the changes to take effect. ```bash claude mcp add --transport http exa-composio "YOUR_MCP_URL_HERE" --headers "X-API-Key:YOUR_COMPOSIO_API_KEY" # Then restart Claude Code exit claude ``` ### 8. Verify the installation Check that your Exa MCP server is properly configured. - This command lists all MCP servers registered with Claude Code - You should see your exa-composio entry in the list - This confirms that Claude Code can now access Exa tools If everything is wired up, you should see your exa-composio entry listed: ```bash claude mcp list ``` ### 9. Authenticate Exa The first time you try to use Exa tools, you'll be prompted to authenticate. - Claude Code will detect that you need to authenticate with Exa - It will show you an authentication link - Open the link in your browser (or copy/paste it) - Complete the Exa authorization flow - Return to the terminal and start using Exa through Claude Code Once authenticated, you can ask Claude Code to perform Exa operations in natural language. For example: - "Summarize recent news articles on AI safety" - "Find similar research papers to this URL" - "Create a webset for quarterly sales data" ## Complete Code ```python import os from composio import Composio from dotenv import load_dotenv load_dotenv() COMPOSIO_API_KEY = os.getenv("COMPOSIO_API_KEY") USER_ID = os.getenv("USER_ID") composio_client = Composio(api_key=COMPOSIO_API_KEY) composio_session = composio_client.create( user_id=USER_ID, toolkits=["exa"], ) COMPOSIO_MCP_URL = composio_session.mcp.url print(f"MCP URL: {COMPOSIO_MCP_URL}") print(f"\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:") print(f'claude mcp add --transport http exa-composio "{COMPOSIO_MCP_URL}" --headers "X-API-Key:{COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"') ``` ```typescript import 'dotenv/config'; import { Composio } from '@composio/core'; const { COMPOSIO_API_KEY, USER_ID } = process.env; if (!COMPOSIO_API_KEY || !USER_ID) { throw new Error('COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID required in .env'); } const composioClient = new Composio({ apiKey: COMPOSIO_API_KEY }); const composioSession = await composioClient.create(USER_ID, { toolkits: ['exa'], }); const composioMcpUrl = composioSession?.mcp.url; console.log(`MCP URL: ${composioMcpUrl}`); console.log(`\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:`); console.log(`claude mcp add --transport http exa-composio "${composioMcpUrl}" --headers "X-API-Key:${COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"`); ``` ## Conclusion You've successfully integrated Exa with Claude Code using Composio's MCP server. Now you can interact with Exa directly from your terminal using natural language commands. Key features of this setup: - Terminal-native experience without switching contexts - Natural language commands for Exa operations - Secure authentication through Composio's managed MCP - Tool Router for dynamic tool discovery and execution Next steps: - Try asking Claude Code to perform various Exa operations - Add more toolkits to your Tool Router session for multi-app workflows - Integrate this setup into your development workflow for increased productivity You can extend this by adding more toolkits, implementing custom workflows, or building automation scripts that leverage Claude Code's capabilities. ## How to build Exa MCP Agent with another framework - [OpenAI Agents SDK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/open-ai-agents-sdk) - [Claude Agent SDK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/claude-agents-sdk) - [Claude Cowork](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/claude-cowork) - [Codex](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/codex) - [OpenClaw](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/openclaw) - [Hermes](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/hermes-agent) - [CLI](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/cli) - [Google ADK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/google-adk) - [LangChain](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/langchain) - [Vercel AI SDK](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/ai-sdk) - [Mastra AI](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/mastra-ai) - [LlamaIndex](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/llama-index) - [CrewAI](https://composio.dev/toolkits/exa/framework/crew-ai) ## Related Toolkits - [Firecrawl](https://composio.dev/toolkits/firecrawl) - Firecrawl automates large-scale web crawling and data extraction. It helps organizations efficiently gather, index, and analyze content from online sources. - [Tavily](https://composio.dev/toolkits/tavily) - Tavily offers powerful search and data retrieval from documents, databases, and the web. It helps teams locate and filter information instantly, saving hours on research. - [Serpapi](https://composio.dev/toolkits/serpapi) - SerpApi is a real-time API for structured search engine results. It lets you automate SERP data collection, parsing, and analysis for SEO and research. - [Peopledatalabs](https://composio.dev/toolkits/peopledatalabs) - Peopledatalabs delivers B2B data enrichment and identity resolution APIs. Supercharge your apps with accurate, up-to-date business and contact data. - [Snowflake](https://composio.dev/toolkits/snowflake) - Snowflake is a cloud data warehouse built for elastic scaling, secure data sharing, and fast SQL analytics across major clouds. - [Posthog](https://composio.dev/toolkits/posthog) - PostHog is an open-source analytics platform for tracking user interactions and product metrics. It helps teams refine features, analyze funnels, and reduce churn with actionable insights. - [Amplitude](https://composio.dev/toolkits/amplitude) - Amplitude is a digital analytics platform for product and behavioral data insights. It helps teams analyze user journeys and make data-driven decisions quickly. - [Bright Data MCP](https://composio.dev/toolkits/brightdata_mcp) - Bright Data MCP is an AI-powered web scraping and data collection platform. Instantly access public web data in real time with advanced scraping tools. - [Browseai](https://composio.dev/toolkits/browseai) - Browseai is a web automation and data extraction platform that turns any website into an API. It's perfect for monitoring websites and retrieving structured data without manual scraping. - [ClickHouse](https://composio.dev/toolkits/clickhouse) - ClickHouse is an open-source, column-oriented database for real-time analytics and big data processing using SQL. Its lightning-fast query performance makes it ideal for handling large datasets and delivering instant insights. - [Coinmarketcal](https://composio.dev/toolkits/coinmarketcal) - CoinMarketCal is a community-powered crypto calendar for upcoming events, announcements, and releases. It helps traders track market-moving developments and stay ahead in the crypto space. - [Control d](https://composio.dev/toolkits/control_d) - Control d is a customizable DNS filtering and traffic redirection platform. It helps you manage internet access, enforce policies, and monitor usage across devices and networks. - [Databox](https://composio.dev/toolkits/databox) - Databox is a business analytics platform that connects your data from any tool and device. It helps you track KPIs, build dashboards, and discover actionable insights. - [Databricks](https://composio.dev/toolkits/databricks) - Databricks is a unified analytics platform for big data and AI on the lakehouse architecture. It empowers data teams to collaborate, analyze, and build scalable solutions efficiently. - [Datagma](https://composio.dev/toolkits/datagma) - Datagma delivers data intelligence and analytics for business growth and market discovery. Get actionable market insights and track competitors to inform your strategy. - [Delighted](https://composio.dev/toolkits/delighted) - Delighted is a customer feedback platform based on the Net Promoter System®. It helps you quickly gather, track, and act on customer sentiment. - [Dovetail](https://composio.dev/toolkits/dovetail) - Dovetail is a research analysis platform for transcript review and insight generation. It helps teams code interviews, analyze feedback, and create actionable research summaries. - [Dub](https://composio.dev/toolkits/dub) - Dub is a short link management platform with analytics and API access. Use it to easily create, manage, and track branded short links for your business. - [Elasticsearch](https://composio.dev/toolkits/elasticsearch) - Elasticsearch is a distributed, RESTful search and analytics engine for all types of data. It delivers fast, scalable search and powerful analytics across massive datasets. - [Fireflies](https://composio.dev/toolkits/fireflies) - Fireflies.ai is an AI-powered meeting assistant that records, transcribes, and analyzes voice conversations. It helps teams capture call notes automatically and search or summarize meetings effortlessly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are the differences in Tool Router MCP and Exa MCP? With a standalone Exa MCP server, the agents and LLMs can only access a fixed set of Exa tools tied to that server. However, with the Composio Tool Router, agents can dynamically load tools from Exa and many other apps based on the task at hand, all through a single MCP endpoint. ### Can I use Tool Router MCP with Claude Code? Yes, you can. Claude Code fully supports MCP integration. You get structured tool calling, message history handling, and model orchestration while Tool Router takes care of discovering and serving the right Exa tools. ### Can I manage the permissions and scopes for Exa while using Tool Router? Yes, absolutely. You can configure which Exa scopes and actions are allowed when connecting your account to Composio. You can also bring your own OAuth credentials or API configuration so you keep full control over what the agent can do. ### How safe is my data with Composio Tool Router? All sensitive data such as tokens, keys, and configuration is fully encrypted at rest and in transit. Composio is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and follows strict security practices so your Exa data and credentials are handled as safely as possible. --- [See all toolkits](https://composio.dev/toolkits) · [Composio docs](https://docs.composio.dev/llms.txt)