Overview
What is OpenAI WebSearch MCP Server?
This MCP server provides access to OpenAI's web search functionality through the Model Context Protocol. It enables AI assistants to search the web during conversations, retrieving up-to-date information beyond the assistant's training data. Designed for use with Claude.app and Zed editor.
How to use OpenAI WebSearch MCP Server?
Install via uvx openai-websearch-mcp or pip install openai-websearch-mcp. Set the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable with your API key from platform.openai.com. Configure the server in your Claude settings or Zed settings.json by adding the appropriate command and arguments. Use the web_search tool, providing required arguments type (string) and search_context_size (low/medium/high), with an optional user_location object.
Key features of OpenAI WebSearch MCP Server
- One-click installation for Claude with auto-configuration.
- Web search tool with configurable search context size.
- Optional user location data (city, country, region, timezone).
- Supports both uvx and pip installation methods.
- Integrates with Claude.app and Zed editor.
- Debuggable via MCP inspector.
Use cases of OpenAI WebSearch MCP Server
- AI assistants retrieving current news or real‑time data during a conversation.
- Answering queries about recent events not covered in the training data.
- Providing location‑specific search results by passing user location.
- Enhancing chatbot responses with live web information in Claude or Zed.
FAQ from OpenAI WebSearch MCP Server
What does this server do?
It exposes OpenAI’s web search as an MCP tool, allowing AI assistants to perform web searches and return results within a conversation.
How do I install it?
You can install via uvx openai-websearch-mcp (recommended) or pip install openai-websearch-mcp, then configure your client with the required command and your OPENAI_API_KEY.
What are the dependencies?
You need uvx (or pip and Python) and a valid OpenAI API key. No other runtime dependencies are mentioned.
Which tools are available?
The server provides one tool: web_search. It requires type (string) and search_context_size (low/medium/high), and accepts an optional user_location object with city, country, region, and timezone.
Does it support editor integrations besides Claude?
Yes, the README includes configuration examples for Zed editor. Cursor and Windsurf support are listed as “Coming soon”.
