Add ArXiv MCP Server for academic research and paper analysis #66
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Features: • Search arXiv papers with advanced filtering (date, category, query) • Download and store papers locally as markdown • Read and analyze paper content programmatically • Deep research analysis prompts for comprehensive paper review • Configurable local storage path for paper management Technical Details: - Category: search (academic research focused) - License: Apache 2.0 (compatible with Docker registry) - Source: https://github.com/jasonleinart/arxiv-mcp-server - Build Status: Successfully tested and validated - Docker Image: mcp/arxiv-mcp-server Target Users: Perfect for researchers, academics, and AI assistants conducting literature reviews, research analysis, and academic paper exploration. Differentiates from existing paper-search server by providing: - ArXiv-specific optimizations and direct API integration - Local paper storage and management capabilities - Research-focused analysis prompts and workflows - Advanced filtering and categorization options
- Maps user storage path to /app/papers inside container - Enables file persistence for downloaded papers - Fixes ephemeral container issue where files weren't saved - Follows pattern used by kubectl-mcp-server and elevenlabs - Essential for Docker MCP Toolkit volume mounting
- Change from parameter template to environment variable approach
- Docker MCP Toolkit processes but not {{parameter}} templates
- Maps storage_path parameter to STORAGE_PATH env var for volume mounting
- Should resolve volume mounting issue where files weren't persisting
cmrigney
requested changes
Jul 11, 2025
servers/arxiv-mcp-server/server.yaml
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| project: https://github.com/jasonleinart/arxiv-mcp-server | ||
| run: | ||
| volumes: | ||
| - '$STORAGE_PATH:/app/papers' |
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chore: This should be:
Suggested change
| - '$STORAGE_PATH:/app/papers' | |
| - '{{arxiv-mcp-server.storage_path}}:/app/papers' |
For more info, see https://github.com/docker/mcp-registry/blob/main/docs/configuration.md
servers/arxiv-mcp-server/server.yaml
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| - name: STORAGE_PATH | ||
| example: /Users/local-test/papers | ||
| value: '{{arxiv-mcp-server.storage_path}}' |
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chore: Assuming you leave the container path above to /app/papers I think you really want this to be:
Suggested change
| - name: STORAGE_PATH | |
| example: /Users/local-test/papers | |
| value: '{{arxiv-mcp-server.storage_path}}' | |
| - name: ARXIV_STORAGE_PATH | |
| example: /Users/local-test/papers | |
| value: '/app/papers' |
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Thanks for the feedback!
- Change volume mapping from $STORAGE_PATH to {{arxiv-mcp-server.storage_path}} template syntax
- Add ARXIV_STORAGE_PATH environment variable for internal container path
- Fixes volume mounting issue identified by @cmrigney in PR review
- Follows Docker MCP Registry configuration standards per docs/configuration.md
cmrigney
reviewed
Jul 11, 2025
servers/arxiv-mcp-server/server.yaml
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Comment on lines
35
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37
| - name: STORAGE_PATH | ||
| example: /Users/local-test/papers | ||
| value: '{{arxiv-mcp-server.storage_path}}' |
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@jasonleinart Looks like you can remove this one now, since you added ARXIV_STORAGE_PATH
…nment variable - Remove redundant STORAGE_PATH environment variable as suggested by @cmrigney - Keep only ARXIV_STORAGE_PATH with '/app/papers' value for container internal path - Simplifies configuration while maintaining full functionality - Volume mounting handles path mapping: {{arxiv-mcp-server.storage_path}}:/app/papers - ArXiv server auto-detects Docker environment and uses correct storage path
cmrigney
approved these changes
Jul 11, 2025
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Features:
• Search arXiv papers with advanced filtering (date, category, query) • Download and store papers locally as markdown
• Read and analyze paper content programmatically
• Deep research analysis prompts for comprehensive paper review • Configurable local storage path for paper management
Technical Details:
Target Users:
Perfect for researchers, academics, and AI assistants conducting literature reviews, research analysis, and academic paper exploration.
Differentiates from existing paper-search server by providing: