How to Use the Mediastack MCP in Claude

Q: How do I configure Mediastack with Claude Desktop?

Open your claudedesktopconfig.json file and add the Mediastack MCP Server configuration block under the mcpServers key. Insert your API key in the environment variables section, save, and restart Claude Desktop to see the tools appear.

Q: Can Claude Desktop run historical searches using Mediastack?

Yes, your AI client calls the getnews tool with a specified date parameter to pull past articles. This allows Claude Desktop to analyze media trends and compare coverage from specific historical dates.

Q: How do I restrict the news sources Claude Desktop searches?

You ask Claude Desktop to call listsources to find specific publisher codes first. Once identified, your agent uses those codes as filters in subsequent getnews queries to narrow the search.

Feed live and historical news from 7,500 global sources directly into your Claude Desktop conversations.

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Connect Mediastack MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect Mediastack to Claude Desktop and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup Mediastack with Claude Desktop

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Run live news queries in Claude Desktop

The `get_news` tool lets Claude Desktop fetch real-time articles from global publishers directly inside your chat window. You get the raw headlines, publication dates, and source URLs without leaving the workspace. Instead of searching the web manually, your AI client handles the API calls to gather current event details. This keeps your research threads accurate and grounded in verified reporting.

Map global publishers using this MCP Server

The `list_sources` tool retrieves the complete index of over 7,500 global publishers supported by the Mediastack API. Claude Desktop uses this directory to filter news by specific countries, languages, or outlets before running a search. Setting up this filter ensures your AI client doesn't waste API quota on irrelevant blogs. You control the scope of the information pipeline right from your desktop workspace.

Analyze historical media trends

The `get_news` tool accepts specific date parameters so Claude Desktop can pull historical articles to analyze past media coverage. You can compare how different publishers reported on a single event over weeks or months. This historical tracking turns your local chat client into a media research station. You run deep archival analysis without writing custom scraping scripts or leaving your desk.

Setup guide

Set up Mediastack MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The Mediastack MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the Mediastack MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under mediastack-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mediastack-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by Mediastack. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about Mediastack MCP in Claude Desktop

Open your `claude_desktop_config.json` file and add the Mediastack MCP Server configuration block under the `mcpServers` key. Insert your API key in the environment variables section, save, and restart Claude Desktop to see the tools appear.

Yes, your AI client calls the `get_news` tool with a specified date parameter to pull past articles. This allows Claude Desktop to analyze media trends and compare coverage from specific historical dates.

No, the MCP Server operates on a request-response basis when you ask Claude Desktop for news. It triggers the `get_news` tool to fetch the latest articles on demand rather than pushing live notifications.

You ask Claude Desktop to call `list_sources` to find specific publisher codes first. Once identified, your agent uses those codes as filters in subsequent `get_news` queries to narrow the search.

Your Mediastack API key is stored locally on your machine within the Claude Desktop configuration file. The news queries and article data are processed locally through the secure V8 sandbox, meaning your search history never reaches third-party servers outside the direct API calls.

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