Brave Search (legacy reference)
Last tested 2026-10-22
Score 45/100 · Last tested 2026-10-22 · Version tested 0.6.2 · Package @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search · Repo modelcontextprotocol/servers-archived
Summary: Brave Search (legacy reference) requires credentials or a backing service before it will list tools; it is deprecated or archived, so prefer a maintained alternative.
Test results
| Test | Result | Points | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| install | pass | 20 | npm install @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search (Node 20, Linux) succeeded in 1s. |
| handshake | auth-gated | 5 | Auth-gated: without credentials the server only printed a missing-credential message and did not list tools ("Error: BRAVE_API_KEY environment variable is required exited code 1"). Not tested with real credentials; not counted as working. |
| maintenance | fail | 0 | Deprecated on npm: Package no longer supported. Contact Support at https://www.npmjs.com/support for more info.; GitHub repo modelcontextprotocol/servers-archived is archived. |
| docs | partial | 10 | install instructions present; mcpServers config example present. Automated check of the package's own README (README shipped in npm package). |
| license | pass | 10 | MIT (OSI-approved). |
Local-model readiness
Not yet tested (no tools/list response without credentials).
Not tested
We did not test behavior with real credentials, security, or performance under load. These are planned; see methodology.
Tools listed
Not available (handshake did not complete without credentials).
Config used in our test
{
"mcpServers": {
"brave-search-legacy-reference": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"
]
}
}
}FAQ
Is Brave Search (legacy reference) deprecated?
Yes. @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search is deprecated on npm and its GitHub repo is archived (as of 2026-10-22). npm says: "Package no longer supported. Contact Support at https://www.npmjs.com/support for more info."
What replaces Brave Search (legacy reference)?
None identified. We have no evidence of a maintained replacement yet.
Does Brave Search (legacy reference) need an API key?
Yes. Without credentials it only printed a missing-credential message and did not list tools (auth-gated).
Embed the badge
The badge always shows the current score; payment never changes it.