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The Parallel Search MCP Server provides drop-in web search capabilities for any MCP-aware model. The tool invokes the Search API endpoint but presents a simpler interface to ensure effective use by agents. The tool uses the Search API in agentic mode, which returns more concise results than the default one-shot mode. The Search MCP currently comprises a single tool called web_search_preview.

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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.