Pexels MCP Server
by hanoakio.github.hanoak/pexels-mcp-serverv1.0.1
Production-ready Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the Pexels API — search and browse photos and videos, with license-aware usage guidance. Unofficial; not affiliated with or endorsed by Pexels.
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Maintained52d ago
Install Pexels MCP server
Install in Claude Code
claude mcp add pexels-hanoak -e PEXELS_API_KEY='<pexels-api-key>' -- npx -y @hanoak/pexels-mcp-serverInstall in Cursor
{
"mcpServers": {
"pexels-hanoak": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hanoak/pexels-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PEXELS_API_KEY": "<pexels-api-key>"
}
}
}
}Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project).
Install in Claude Desktop
{
"mcpServers": {
"pexels-hanoak": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hanoak/pexels-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PEXELS_API_KEY": "<pexels-api-key>"
}
}
}
}Settings → Developer → Edit Config (claude_desktop_config.json), then restart.
Install in VS Code
{
"servers": {
"pexels-hanoak": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hanoak/pexels-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PEXELS_API_KEY": "<pexels-api-key>"
}
}
}
}Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace.
Install in Windsurf
{
"mcpServers": {
"pexels-hanoak": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hanoak/pexels-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PEXELS_API_KEY": "<pexels-api-key>"
}
}
}
}Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
Configuration
| Variable | Required | Secret | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEXELS_API_KEY | yes | yes | Your Pexels API key (sent as the Authorization header, no prefix). |
| LOG_LEVEL | — | — | Log verbosity; all logs go to stderr. |
Freshness
Maintained — last maintenance signal 52d ago. The newest of the signals below sets the band.
Last commit (default branch)
2026-08-19 · 52d ago · GitHub
Latest release
2026-08-19 · 52d ago · GitHub · v1.0.2
Package published
no data · npm/PyPI
Registry entry updated
2026-08-11 · 2mo ago · official registry · v1.0.1
FAQ
›How do I install the Pexels MCP server in Claude Code?
Run: claude mcp add pexels-hanoak -e PEXELS_API_KEY='<pexels-api-key>' -- npx -y @hanoak/pexels-mcp-server. For Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop and Windsurf, use the install tabs above.
›Does Pexels require an API key?
Yes. It expects PEXELS_API_KEY, of which 1 is a secret.
›Can I use Pexels as a remote (hosted) MCP server?
No hosted endpoint is published; it runs locally over stdio.
›Is Pexels in the official MCP registry?
Yes, as io.github.hanoak/pexels-mcp-server.