---
title: "Brave Search MCP Server Setup Guide and Schema"
slug: "brave-search"
category: "search-web"
package: "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"
transport: "stdio"
canonical: "https://mcp-codex.com/servers/brave-search"
source: "MCP Codex (https://mcp-codex.com)"
dateModified: "2026-09-28"
---

# Brave Search MCP Server

> Privacy-preserving web and local search via the Brave Search API.

## Overview
Add web search capability to your AI agent using the privacy-focused Brave Search API. Supports web search, local search, news search, and result filtering. No tracking, no ads in API results.

## Quick Install
```bash
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search
```

## Environment Variables

| Variable | Description | Required |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| `BRAVE_API_KEY` | Brave Search API key | **Yes** |

## Client Configurations

### Claude Desktop (`claude_desktop_config.json`)
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"
      ],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "BSAxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Cursor (`mcp.json`)
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"
      ],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "BSAxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### OpenAI Codex CLI (`~/.codex/config.toml`)
```toml
[mcp_servers.brave-search]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"]

[mcp_servers.brave-search.env]
BRAVE_API_KEY = "BSAxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
```

## Available Tools (2)

- `brave_web_search`
- `brave_local_search`

## Documentation & Links
- Canonical Web Page: https://mcp-codex.com/servers/brave-search
- Weekly Protocol Changelog: https://mcp-codex.com#newsletter
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/tree/main/src/brave-search
- Setup Tutorial Guide: https://mcp-codex.com/articles/brave-search-mcp-server