Unpaywall MCP Server
by smaboundlessio.github.SMABoundless/unpaywallv1.0.1
Open-access availability for 120M+ scholarly articles via the Unpaywall API
context tax
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security
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cold start
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freshness
Slowing3mo ago
Install Unpaywall MCP server
Install in Claude Code
claude mcp add unpaywall -e UNPAYWALL_EMAIL='<unpaywall-email>' -- uvx unpaywall-mcp-serverInstall in Cursor
{
"mcpServers": {
"unpaywall": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"unpaywall-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"UNPAYWALL_EMAIL": "<unpaywall-email>"
}
}
}
}Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project).
Install in Claude Desktop
{
"mcpServers": {
"unpaywall": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"unpaywall-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"UNPAYWALL_EMAIL": "<unpaywall-email>"
}
}
}
}Settings → Developer → Edit Config (claude_desktop_config.json), then restart.
Install in VS Code
{
"servers": {
"unpaywall": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"unpaywall-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"UNPAYWALL_EMAIL": "<unpaywall-email>"
}
}
}
}Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace.
Install in Windsurf
{
"mcpServers": {
"unpaywall": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"unpaywall-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"UNPAYWALL_EMAIL": "<unpaywall-email>"
}
}
}
}Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
Configuration
| Variable | Required | Secret | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPAYWALL_EMAIL | yes | — | Your email address — required by the Unpaywall API as an identifier (no API key needed). See https://unpaywall.org/products/api |
Freshness
Slowing — last maintenance signal 3mo ago. The newest of the signals below sets the band.
Last commit (default branch)
2026-07-04 · 3mo ago · GitHub
Latest release
no data · GitHub
Package published
no data · npm/PyPI
Registry entry updated
2026-07-04 · 3mo ago · official registry · v1.0.1
FAQ
›How do I install the Unpaywall MCP server in Claude Code?
Run: claude mcp add unpaywall -e UNPAYWALL_EMAIL='<unpaywall-email>' -- uvx unpaywall-mcp-server. For Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop and Windsurf, use the install tabs above.
›Does Unpaywall require an API key?
Yes. It expects UNPAYWALL_EMAIL.
›Can I use Unpaywall as a remote (hosted) MCP server?
No hosted endpoint is published; it runs locally over stdio.
›Is Unpaywall in the official MCP registry?
Yes, as io.github.SMABoundless/unpaywall.