Prepare the server locally
Run this once before adding it to Claude Code.
pip install "mcp[cli]" harcxRegister it in Claude Code
claude mcp add harcx-mcp -- python /path/to/harcx_mcp.pyReplace any placeholder paths in the command with the real path on your machine.
Make your agent remember this setup
harcx-mcp's config, env vars, and the gotchas you hit — recalled in every future Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex session.
npx conare@latestFree · one command · indexes the sessions already on disk. Set up in the browser instead →
What it does
- Verify BibTeX citations against Semantic Scholar and DBLP databases
- Check accessibility of URLs within bibliography files
- Configurable author name match tolerance
- Support for Semantic Scholar API keys to increase rate limits
Tools 2
verify_citationsVerify academic papers and books against Semantic Scholar and DBLP.verify_urlsCheck that URLs in your bibliography are accessible.Environment Variables
api_keySemantic Scholar API key for higher rate limitsTry it
Original README from Vashistht/harcx-mcp
harcx-mcp
MCP server for verifying BibTeX citations using harcx. Allows AI assistants like Claude to check your bibliography against Semantic Scholar, DBLP, and other academic databases.
Thanks to the original harcx package for providing the citation verification functionality.
Quick Setup
- Create a
.vscodefolder in your project (if it doesn't exist) - Create
.vscode/mcp.jsonwith:{ "servers": { "harcx": { "command": "python", "args": ["/path/to/harcx_mcp.py"] } } } - Use
#harcxin Claude Code to access the tools:verify citations in references.bib verify urls in references.bib
Installation
pip install "mcp[cli]" harcx
Usage
With Claude Code
Add to your project's .mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"harcx": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["/path/to/harcx_mcp.py"]
}
}
}
Then ask Claude to verify your citations:
verify citations in references.bib
With Claude Desktop
Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):
{
"mcpServers": {
"harcx": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["/path/to/harcx_mcp.py"]
}
}
}
Tools
verify_citations
Verify academic papers and books against Semantic Scholar and DBLP.
Parameters:
bib_content(required): Path to .bib file or inline BibTeX contentauthor_threshold(optional): Author name match tolerance, 0.0-1.0 (default: 0.6)check_urls(optional): Also verify URLs in citations (default: false)api_key(optional): Semantic Scholar API key for higher rate limits
Example:
Check the citations in my thesis.bib file
verify_urls
Check that URLs in your bibliography are accessible.
Parameters:
bib_content(required): Path to .bib file or inline BibTeX content
Example:
Verify all URLs in references.bib are still working
Rate Limits
Semantic Scholar has rate limits. If you're checking many citations, you may see 429 errors and retries. For higher limits, get a free API key from Semantic Scholar and pass it via the api_key parameter.
License
MIT