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The Parallel Search MCP Server provides drop-in web search and content extraction capabilities for any MCP-aware model. The tools invoke the Search API endpoint but present a simpler interface to ensure effective use by agents. The tools use the Search API in agentic mode, which returns more concise results than the default one-shot mode. The Search MCP comprises two tools:
  • web_search - Search the web for information and retrieve relevant results
  • web_fetch - Extract and retrieve content from specific URLs

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Use Cases

The Search MCP is suited for any application where real-world information is needed as part of an AI agent’s reasoning loop. Below are some common use cases:
  • Real-time fact checking and verification during conversations
  • Gathering current information to answer user questions
  • Researching topics that require recent or live data
  • Retrieving content from specific URLs to analyze or summarize
  • Competitive intelligence and market research

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Installation

The Search MCP can be installed in any MCP client. The server URL is: https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp The Search MCP can also be used programmatically by providing your Parallel API key in the Authorization header as a Bearer token.

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Cursor

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json or .cursor/mcp.json (project-specific): 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "url": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Deep Link: 🔗 Install Search MCP

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VS Code

Add to settings.json in VS Code: 
{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "Parallel Search MCP": {
        "type": "http",
        "url": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
      }
    }
  }
}
Deep Link: 🔗 Install Search MCP

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Claude Desktop / Claude.ai

Go to Settings → Connectors → Add Custom Connector, and fill in: 
Name: Parallel Search MCP
URL: https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp
Please note that if you are part of an organization, you may not have access to custom connectors at this time. Contact your organization administrator. If you are not an admin, then please go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config and include this JSON in the config, after retrieving your bearer token from Platform: 
"Parallel Search MCP": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": [
    "-y",
    "mcp-remote",
    "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp",
    "--header", "authorization: Bearer YOUR-PARALLEL-API-KEY"
  ]
}

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Claude Code

Run this command in your terminal: 
claude mcp add --transport http "Parallel-search-mcp" https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp

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Windsurf

Add to your Windsurf MCP configuration: 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "serverUrl": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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Cline

Go to the MCP Servers section → Remote Servers → Edit Configuration: 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "url": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp",
      "type": "streamableHttp"
    }
  }
}

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Gemini CLI

Add to ~/.gemini/settings.json: 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "httpUrl": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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ChatGPT

WARNING: Please note that Developer Mode must be enabled, and this feature may not be available to everyone. Additionally, MCPs in ChatGPT are experimental and may not work reliably. First, go to Settings → Connectors → Advanced Settings, and turn on Developer Mode. Then, in connector settings, click Create and fill in: 
Name: Parallel Search MCP
URL: https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp
Authentication: OAuth
In a new chat, ensure Developer Mode is turned on with the connector(s) selected.

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Troubleshooting

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Common Installation Issues

This error occurs when Cline attempts OAuth authentication but the redirect URI isn’t using HTTPS.Solution: Use the API key approach instead of OAuth:
  1. Get your API key from platform.parallel.ai
  2. Configure Cline with the bearer token method:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp",
        "--header", "authorization: Bearer YOUR-PARALLEL-API-KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}
Replace YOUR-PARALLEL-API-KEY with your actual API key.
Gemini CLI uses HTTP MCPs and authenticates via OAuth. If OAuth isn’t working, you can provide your API key directly.Solution: Use environment variables or the mcp-remote proxy:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp",
        "--header", "authorization: Bearer YOUR-PARALLEL-API-KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}
Add this to ~/.gemini/settings.json and replace YOUR-PARALLEL-API-KEY with your key from platform.parallel.ai.
VS Code requires a specific configuration format. Common mistakes include using the wrong property names.Incorrect (Cursor format):
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "parallel-web-search": {
      "url": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Correct (VS Code format):
{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "Parallel Search MCP": {
        "type": "http",
        "url": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
      }
    }
  }
}
Note: VS Code uses mcp.servers (not mcpServers) and requires the type: "http" field.
Windsurf uses a different configuration format than Cursor.Correct Windsurf configuration:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Parallel Search MCP": {
      "serverUrl": "https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Note: Windsurf uses serverUrl instead of url. Add this to your Windsurf MCP configuration file.
If you’re getting connection errors:
  1. Check your network: Ensure you can reach https://search-mcp.parallel.ai
  2. Verify API key: Make sure your key is valid at platform.parallel.ai
  3. Check balance: A 402 error means insufficient credits—add funds to your account
  4. Restart your IDE: Some clients cache MCP connections
If the MCP installs but tools don’t show up:
  1. Restart your IDE completely (not just reload)
  2. Check configuration syntax: Ensure valid JSON with no trailing commas
  3. Verify the server URL: Must be exactly https://search-mcp.parallel.ai/mcp
  4. Check IDE logs: Look for MCP-related errors in your IDE’s output/debug panel