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OpenAlex MCP Server

Chat with AI and run tools instantly — no API key or third-party login needed.

OpenAlex is an open catalog of the global research system. Search works, retrieve work metadata, and expand citations using an open citation graph.

Managed
3 tools
Agent guide included

No API key or third-party login needed. Chat with AI and run tools instantly.

Browse all tools

AI Skill
SKILL.md

Domain knowledge for OpenAlex — workflow patterns, data models, and gotchas for your AI agent.

OpenAlex

OpenAlex is an open catalog of the global research system. Search works, retrieve work metadata, and expand citations using an open citation graph.

Data Model

  • Works — scholarly publications; search returns work IDs for detail and citation fetches.
  • Citations — works that cite a given work; scoped by work_id.

Gotchas

  • mailto: Including a contact email (mailto param) improves rate limits and service.

Tools in this Server (3)

Openalex Get Work

Fetch a single OpenAlex work by OpenAlex ID or DOI and return full metadata including referenced works and citation count.

Openalex List Citations

List OpenAlex works that cite the given work ID (citation expansion).

Openalex Search Works

Search OpenAlex works (papers) and return metadata plus OpenAlex IDs. Use returned work IDs with openalex_get_work or openalex_list_citations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OpenAlex MCP server?

OpenAlex is an open catalog of the global research system. Search works, retrieve work metadata, and expand citations using an open citation graph. It provides 3 tools that AI agents can use through the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

How do I connect OpenAlex to my AI agent?

Add the MCPBundles server URL to your MCP client configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, etc.). The URL format is: https://mcp.mcpbundles.com/bundle/openalex. Authentication is handled automatically.

How many tools does OpenAlex provide?

OpenAlex provides 3 tools that can be called by AI agents, along with a SKILL.md that gives your AI agent domain knowledge about when and how to use them.

What authentication does OpenAlex require?

OpenAlex uses open data APIs — no authentication required.

Setup Instructions

Connect OpenAlex to any MCP client in minutes

https://mcp.mcpbundles.com/bundle/openalex

One-click install:

The link prefills the Add custom connector dialog — you still review the values and click Add, then Connect to complete OAuth.

Or add manually

  1. Open claude.ai → Settings → Connectors.
  2. Click the + button and choose Add custom connector.
  3. Set Name to OpenAlex and paste the MCP URL into Remote MCP server URL.
  4. Click Add. OpenAlex will appear under Not connected — select it and click Connect to complete OAuth.
Name: OpenAlex
Remote MCP server URL: https://mcp.mcpbundles.com/bundle/openalex
Authentication: OAuth

Custom connectors at claude.ai require a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise).

Try OpenAlex now

No API key or third-party login required. Chat with AI and run tools instantly.

OpenAlex MCP Server & Skill — 3 Tools