How to Use the Hacker News MCP in Cline

Q: Can Cline write code using data from Hacker News Alternative?

Yes, Cline can use getitem to fetch raw markdown from stories and immediately write components or JSON parsers based on that structure. It builds, tests, and refines the code autonomously.

Q: Does Hacker News Alternative MCP Server support custom searches in Cline?

It provides direct access to endpoints like getaskstories and getnewstories. Cline chains these queries to filter posts by specific keywords you provide.

Q: Can I track specific users with this setup?

Yes, Cline uses getuser to fetch profile details, including karma and creation date. This helps you filter out spam or find posts from specific industry figures.

Build functional dashboards in VS Code using live tech stories fetched autonomously by Cline.

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Connect Hacker News MCP to Cline

Create your Vinkius account to connect Hacker News to Cline — we handle the hosting, security, and runtime updates so you don't have to. No server setup required.

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Setup Hacker News with Cline

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Build live tech feeds inside VS Code

This MCP Server uses `get_top_stories` to feed live Hacker News data directly to Cline so it can build real-time widgets in your editor. You tell Cline to create a sidebar widget, and it writes the React components, installs dependencies, and hooks up the API. Cline handles the entire lifecycle, using `get_item` to fetch comment counts and scores. It writes tests to ensure the parser doesn't break when rendering long comment threads.

Automate technical hiring research

With `get_job_stories`, Cline scans the latest Who Is Hiring threads to find roles matching your stack. The agent reads the text, extracts contact emails, and drafts customized cover letters based on your local resume file. It runs this entire search in the background, using `get_item` to parse nested text blocks. You get a clean list of matching jobs and drafted emails ready to review.

Analyze community feedback on your code

This server exposes `get_show_stories` to let Cline track how the developer community responds to your launches. Cline monitors your post ID, pulls new comments using `get_updates`, and flags bug reports or feature requests. The agent then opens the corresponding files in your workspace and suggests code fixes based on those HN comments. You fix bugs before they even trend on the front page.

Setup guide

Set up Hacker News MCP in Cline

Prerequisites

VS Code with Cline extension installed
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Cline MCP settings

Click the Cline icon in the VS Code sidebar to open the Cline panel. Then click the MCP Servers icon (server stack) at the top-right corner of the panel.
2

Add a remote server

Click "Remote Servers" at the top, then click "Add Remote MCP". In the Name field, type hacker-news-alternative-mcp. In the URL field, paste your Vinkius endpoint: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp. Get your token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Enable the server

After saving, the server appears in the Cline MCP panel. Toggle the switch to enable it. The status indicator turns green when the connection is live.
4

Start using tools

Return to the Cline chat and ask: "Check my latest Hacker News refund status." Cline will discover the available tools and request your approval before invoking each one — giving you full control over every action.

Cline MCP Settings

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hacker-news-alternative-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 Hacker News. 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 Hacker News MCP in Cline

You add the server to your Cline MCP settings file. Cline automatically detects tools like `get_top_stories` and uses them to fetch live feeds when you ask technical questions.

Yes, Cline can use `get_item` to fetch raw markdown from stories and immediately write components or JSON parsers based on that structure. It builds, tests, and refines the code autonomously.

It provides direct access to endpoints like `get_ask_stories` and `get_new_stories`. Cline chains these queries to filter posts by specific keywords you provide.

Yes, Cline uses `get_user` to fetch profile details, including karma and creation date. This helps you filter out spam or find posts from specific industry figures.

The server only handles public read-only data like user profiles, item IDs, and comment text. No local code or workspace files are ever sent to external servers; everything runs inside a secure local sandbox.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

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