research-assistant-mcp
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@research-assistant-mcpQuery the 'artificial-intelligence' topic for information about transformers"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
Research Assistant MCP Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides research assistance capabilities with ChromaDB vector storage. This server enables AI assistants to save, retrieve, and manage research content efficiently using vector embeddings.
Features
Vector Storage: Uses ChromaDB for efficient storage and retrieval
Topic Organization: Organize research content by topics
Deduplication: Automatic content deduplication using hashing
Semantic Search: Query research content using natural language
Multiple Topics: Manage multiple research topics simultaneously
OpenAI Embeddings: Uses OpenAI's text-embedding-3-small model
Related MCP server: docs-mcp
Installation
Using uvx (Recommended)
uvx research-assistant-mcpUsing uv
uv pip install research-assistant-mcpUsing pip
pip install research-assistant-mcpFrom Source
git clone https://github.com/laxmimerit/research-assistant-mcp.git
cd research-assistant-mcp
uv pip install -e .Configuration
Environment Variables
Required:
OPENAI_API_KEY- Your OpenAI API key for embeddingsRESEARCH_DB_PATH- Base path for storing research databasesA
research_chroma_dbsdirectory will be created inside this pathExample:
/path/to/data(will create/path/to/data/research_chroma_dbs)Example:
~/.research_assistant_mcp(will create~/.research_assistant_mcp/research_chroma_dbs)
Create a .env file with your configuration:
OPENAI_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
RESEARCH_DB_PATH=/path/to/dataClaude Desktop Configuration
MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"research-assistant": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["research-assistant-mcp"],
"env": {
"OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
"RESEARCH_DB_PATH": "/path/to/data"
}
}
}
}Note: Both OPENAI_API_KEY and RESEARCH_DB_PATH are required. The database will be stored in RESEARCH_DB_PATH/research_chroma_dbs/.
Available Tools
1. save_research_data
Save research content to vector database for future retrieval.
Parameters:
content(List[str]): List of text content to savetopic(str): Topic name for organizing the data (creates separate DB)
Example:
Save these research findings about AI to the "artificial-intelligence" topic2. query_research_data
Query saved research content using natural language.
Parameters:
query(str): Natural language querytopic(str): Topic to search in (default: "default")k(int): Number of results to return (default: 5)
Example:
Query the "artificial-intelligence" topic for information about transformers3. list_topics
List all available research topics and their document counts.
Example:
List all available research topics4. delete_topic
Delete a research topic and all its associated data.
Parameters:
topic(str): Topic name to delete
Example:
Delete the "old-research" topic5. get_topic_info
Get detailed information about a specific topic.
Parameters:
topic(str): Topic name
Example:
Get information about the "artificial-intelligence" topicUsage Examples
Once configured with Claude Desktop or another MCP client, you can:
"Save this article about machine learning to my 'ml-research' topic"
"Query my 'ml-research' for information about neural networks"
"List all my research topics"
"Get information about the 'quantum-computing' topic"
"Delete the 'old-notes' topic"
Technical Details
Protocol: Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Transport: stdio
Vector Database: ChromaDB
Embeddings: OpenAI text-embedding-3-small
Storage: Local filesystem at
RESEARCH_DB_PATH/research_chroma_dbs/
Requirements
Python 3.11 or higher
OpenAI API key
Dependencies: chromadb, langchain, fastmcp, openai
Development
Setup Development Environment
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/laxmimerit/research-assistant-mcp.git
cd research-assistant-mcp
# Install with development dependencies
uv pip install -e .License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Author
Laxmi Kant Tiwari
Email: info@kgptalkie.com
GitHub: https://github.com/laxmimerit
Acknowledgments
Built with FastMCP
Uses ChromaDB for vector storage
Powered by LangChain
Implements the Model Context Protocol
Available Tools
5 toolsdelete_research_topicA
Delete a research topic and all its data. Args: topic: Topic name to delete
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| topic | Yes |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses the destructive scope ('and all its data'), which is a key behavioral trait. However, it does not mention that deletion is irreversible, whether special permissions are required, or potential side effects beyond data deletion. This is a significant gap for a mutation tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise and front-loaded with the primary purpose. The Args block is a standard, efficient way to document the parameter. Every sentence earns its place, and there is no redundant or verbose text.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple delete tool with one parameter and an output schema, the description covers the core action and scope. It does not explain return values, but the output schema likely covers that. However, it omits a caution about irreversibility, which is especially important for deletion operations. This is a minor gap given the tool's simplicity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The only parameter, 'topic', is described as 'Topic name to delete'. This adds minimal meaning beyond the schema's property name and type, providing no details about format, case sensitivity, or behavior when the topic does not exist. Since schema_description_coverage is 0%, the description does not fully compensate for the lack of schema-provided descriptions.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the action: 'Delete a research topic and all its data.' This specifies the verb (delete), the resource (research topic), and the scope (all its data). It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like save_research_data, search_research_data, list_research_topics, and get_topic_info, which have different purposes.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage when deletion of a research topic is intended, but it does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor does it mention any prerequisites or exclusions. There is no reference to sibling tools or conditions under which deletion is appropriate (e.g., 'Use this to permanently remove a topic').
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_topic_infoA
Get detailed information about a research topic. Args: topic: Topic name to get info for
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| topic | Yes |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It states 'Get detailed information' implying a read-only operation, but does not disclose behavior such as error handling if the topic does not exist, whether the match is exact or partial, or what 'detailed information' includes. The output schema may cover return structure, but the description itself adds little behavioral context.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise: two sentences, with the first stating the purpose and the second documenting the parameter. It is front-loaded and to the point, though the parameter documentation could be integrated more formally. Overall, it earns its place without waste.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's simplicity (one parameter, output schema exists), the description is minimally complete. It adequately states the purpose and parameter meaning. However, it lacks context about when to use this vs. sibling tools, and does not clarify expected behavior for missing topics or exact matching. The output schema likely covers return details, so the description is sufficient for a basic tool but not rich.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The description explicitly explains the sole parameter: 'topic: Topic name to get info for'. This adds meaning beyond the schema, which only defines the parameter as a string with no description. Since schema description coverage is 0%, this compensation is valuable and clear for a single parameter.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's function: 'Get detailed information about a research topic.' The verb 'Get' plus the resource 'research topic' makes the purpose explicit and distinguishes it from sibling tools like list_research_topics (which lists topics) and search_research_data (which searches data).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage by specifying a topic name as input, but it does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives. There is no mention of using list_research_topics for browsing all topics or search_research_data for filtering. The context is clear enough for a simple tool, but exclusions or alternatives are not provided.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
list_research_topicsA
List all available research topics (vector databases).
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No parameters | |||
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full transparency burden. It explicitly states it lists 'all available' topics, implying a non-destructive read-only operation. The parenthetical 'vector databases' adds useful context. While it does not mention pagination or side effects, the presence of an output schema covers return values, and the simplicity of a list operation make this sufficient.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single sentence with no redundant words. It is perfectly concise and front-loaded.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
With 0 parameters and an output schema present, the description fully conveys the tool's function. It tells the agent exactly what will happen when invoked, leaving no ambiguity for a tool of this simplicity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The tool has 0 parameters, so the baseline score is 4. There are no additional parameter details needed.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb ('List') with a clear resource ('research topics') and adds clarifying context ('vector databases'). It clearly distinguishes itself from siblings: 'save', 'search', 'delete', and 'get_topic_info', with 'all available' disambiguating from get_topic_info which likely retrieves a single topic.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
There is no explicit guidance about when to use this tool versus alternatives. However, the verb 'list' and the sibling context (save, search, delete, get_topic_info) imply that this tool is for enumerating all topics before other operations, but this is only implied, not stated.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
save_research_dataA
Save research content to vector database for future retrieval. Args: content: List of text content to save topic: Topic name for organizing the data (creates separate DB)
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| topic | No | default | |
| content | Yes |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations available, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions that a separate DB is created for each topic, which adds useful context, but it does not explain what happens when a topic already exists (append vs. overwrite), whether there are any side effects, or if specific permissions are required. These are significant gaps for a mutation tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is extremely concise, two sentences plus an args list, with the core purpose front-loaded. Every part contributes meaning; there is no fluff or repetition of schema details. The structure is clean and scannable.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's simplicity (2 params, no nested objects) and the presence of an output schema, the description covers the basics well. However, it lacks a critical behavioral detail: what happens when the same topic is used again. This ambiguity could lead an agent to misuse the tool, so the description is not fully complete for this write operation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema's parameter descriptions are absent (0% coverage), so the description's explicit explanation of both parameters is essential. It clarifies that 'content' is a list of texts to save and that 'topic' is used for organization and creates a separate DB, adding meaning beyond the raw schema types and defaults.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the action ('Save') and the resource ('research content to vector database') with a clear purpose ('for future retrieval'). It distinguishes itself from siblings like search_research_data (retrieval) and delete_research_topic (deletion) by focusing solely on the write operation.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage context ('for future retrieval') but does not explicitly state when to use this tool over alternatives, nor does it mention any exclusions. The sibling tools are known from context, but the description itself offers no direct comparison, so the guidance is implicit rather than explicit.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_research_dataA
Search through saved research data using semantic similarity. Args: query: Search query topic: Topic database to search in max_results: Maximum number of results to return
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| query | Yes | ||
| topic | No | default | |
| max_results | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the burden of behavioral disclosure. It does reveal that the search uses semantic similarity (not keyword matching), and the term 'saved research data' implies a read-only operation. However, it does not state whether results are ordered by relevance, whether topic is required, or any limitations. The description gives some behavioral context but not rich detail.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is one concise sentence followed by a simple list of parameter definitions. It is front-loaded with the main action and avoids redundancy or filler. Every line serves a purpose.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool is a straightforward search operation with an output schema available, so return values do not need to be explained. The description covers the main purpose, the search method, and all parameters. The lack of explicit usage scenarios is a minor gap, but overall the description is sufficient for a tool of this complexity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The Args section in the description explicitly defines each of the three parameters: query as the search query, topic as the topic database to search in, and max_results as the maximum number of results. Since the schema itself provides no descriptions for these fields (coverage 0%), this textual description adds essential meaning and compensates for the schema gap.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with a clear action statement: 'Search through saved research data using semantic similarity.' It specifies the operation (search), the resource (saved research data), and the method (semantic similarity), clearly distinguishing it from sibling tools like save_research_data or delete_research_topic.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
There is no explicit guidance on when to choose this tool over alternatives. The verb 'search' implies a use case for finding saved research data, but no direct comparison with sibling tools or exclusions is provided. This is implied usage rather than explicit direction.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
5 tool updates
v0.1.1- First observed
delete_research_topic - First observed
get_topic_info - First observed
list_research_topics - First observed
save_research_data - First observed
search_research_data
TDQS
Each tool has a clearly distinct purpose: save, search, list, delete, and get info. There is no overlap or ambiguity between them.
Tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern (save, search, list, delete, get). Minor inconsistency: some use 'research_data' and others 'topic(s)', but the pattern is still predictable.
Five tools is well-scoped for a research assistant. Each tool covers a necessary function without redundancy or bloat.
Core lifecycle is covered: create (save), read (search, get_info, list), and delete (topic). Missing an update/edit tool, but for research data re-saving is a viable workaround.
Maintenance
Resources
Unclaimed servers have limited discoverability.
Looking for Admin?
If you are the server author, to access and configure the admin panel.
Related MCP Connectors
Remote ChromaDB vector database MCP server with streamable HTTP transport
Personal knowledge base MCP server with semantic search, auto-categorization, metadata extraction
The Needle MCP server enables semantic search on documents stored in files like PDFs, DOCX, and XLSX by connecting AI applications to external data sources. It provides capabilities to create and manage document collections, perform natural language searches on stored content, and retrieve relevant information without requiring exact keyword matches.
Related MCP Servers
- AlicenseAqualityDmaintenanceAn MCP server that integrates with LangChain and ChromaDB to provide documentation search for AI libraries and vector database management.4MIT
- AlicenseNot gradedqualityDmaintenanceA secure MCP server providing intelligent documentation search across multiple frameworks using ChromaDB vector storage, enabling semantic search and integration with AI tools.MIT
- FlicenseNot gradedqualityDmaintenanceAn MCP server for searching and citing research papers using RAG, enabling semantic search, citation finding, and question answering over a collection of PDF papers.-
- AlicenseAqualityBmaintenanceAn MCP server that provides semantic search over a document corpus, enabling AI clients to retrieve and cite relevant chunks from indexed documents via RAG pipelines.4MIT
Latest Blog Posts
- Who's Calling? MCP Hosts Are an Identity Blind Spot (And the Spec Knows It)By Om-Shree-0709 on .mcpAgent IdentityOAuth 2.1
- Your AI Chatbot Just Exposed Your CEO's Salary to an InternBy Om-Shree-0709 on .Agent IdentityMCP SecurityOAuth Delegation
- Why MCP Servers Need Execution Sandboxing (And Why Your Current Stack Isn't Enough)By Om-Shree-0709 on .Agentic AiPrompt InjectionWebAssembly
MCP directory API
We provide all the information about MCP servers via our MCP API.
curl -X GET 'https://glama.ai/api/mcp/v1/servers/laxmimerit/research-assistant-mcp'
If you have feedback or need assistance with the MCP directory API, please join our Discord server