Exa
Last tested 2026-10-22
Score 93/100 · Last tested 2026-10-22 · Version tested 3.4.2 · Package exa-mcp-server · Repo exa-labs/exa-mcp-server
Summary: Exa completed an MCP handshake without credentials and exposed 2 tools.
Test results
| Test | Result | Points | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| install | pass | 20 | npm install exa-mcp-server (Node 20, Linux) succeeded in 2s. |
| handshake | pass | 30 | MCP initialize + tools/list over stdio succeeded with no credentials; 2 tools listed in 10.2s. |
| maintenance | pass | 25 | Repo pushed 2 days before test; 5,158 GitHub stars. |
| docs | pass | 15 | README over 3,000 chars; install instructions present; mcpServers config example present. Automated check of the package's own README (README shipped in npm package). |
| license | partial | 3 | License not machine-detected as OSI (None). |
Local-model readiness
Schema context cost: ~414 tokens for 2 tools (1,856 bytes) · about 5% of an 8k context. Method: tiktoken cl100k_base over compact JSON of name+description+inputSchema (approximate).
Small-model friendly (schema heuristic, not a model result): medium.
Small-model task runs: Not yet tested.
Not tested
We did not test behavior with real credentials, security, or performance under load. These are planned; see methodology.
Tools listed
web_search_exa, web_fetch_exa
Config used in our test
{
"mcpServers": {
"exa": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"exa-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}FAQ
Is Exa deprecated?
No. exa-mcp-server was not deprecated or archived when we last tested it on 2026-10-22.
What replaces Exa?
Nothing; Exa is not deprecated as of 2026-10-22.
Does Exa need an API key?
No. It completed an MCP handshake with no credentials and listed 2 tools.
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