Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API

Name: Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API
Author: nulib

by nulibversion 2.12.0i★ 14 (Stars for the whole repo)iComputer or cloud

Registry nameio.github.nulib/dc-api

How to install

What it does

Agent integration with the Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API

Connects Computer or cloud
Account or key No key needed
Category Other

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Passed 4/5 checks · What you ask goes through the maker’s server (api.dc.library.northwestern.edu) · ✓ Commands checked Nov 13, 2026

First: which AI do you use?

ClaudeWeb · app · phoneChatGPTWebClaude CodeTerminalCursorCode editorVS CodeCode editorOtherOther apps

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude · about 2 min

No key, nothing to install · Set it up once on claude.ai or the desktop app, then use it in chat · free accounts can add 1 · on Team/Enterprise an Owner adds it

Open Claude’s Connectors page
CustomizeConnectors
Done
Click “Add” → “Custom” → “Web” and fill in these 2 fields
Copy each value into the field with the same name in Claude, then click Continue
Name · NameNorthwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API
Remote MCP server URL · Addresshttps://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp
Click Continue past the sign-in settings Claude detected · under Authentication choose what the maker says (Sign in now, Sign in when needed or No sign in), then click Add
Done
Turn it on in a chat
+ConnectorsNorthwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API
Done
Try it
Use Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API or shows a Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with ChatGPT, depending on your plan

Full MCP: ChatGPT Business, Enterprise or Edu on the web · Pro: connects with read/fetch permissions, so tools that change data may not work · Plus: not confirmed in OpenAI’s docs; if you see an add-custom-MCP option on the Plugins page you can try these steps · web only

Open ChatGPT’s add-MCP page on the web
Plugins+Add custom MCP server
Done
Fill in the name and address
Enter a name, paste the address under Connection, tick the risk warning and click Create as a plugin
Name · NameNorthwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API
Connection · Addresshttps://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp
Done
Pick Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API in a chat
Start a new chat and pick Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API from your plugins before typing
Done
Try it
Use Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If ChatGPT says it is using Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API or shows a Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against OpenAI’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Claude Code · about 2 min

No key, nothing to install

Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done

Paste this command and press Enter

claude mcp add --transport http --scope user dc-api https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp

Done

Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API or shows a Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor · about 2 min

No key, nothing to install

Click this button to open Cursor
Open in Cursor
Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API or shows a Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code · about 2 min

No key, nothing to install

Click this button to open VS Code
Open in VS Code
VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API or shows a Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

Address for apps that connect over the web

Addresshttps://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Over the web

Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http --scope user dc-api https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "url": "https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp"
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add --scope user dc-api -- npx -y @nulib/dc-api-mcp

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 14 (Stars for the whole repo)
This repo holds several MCP listings; its stars count once in rankings
Downloads per weeki: 377/wk
Licence i: No licence stated
Connection: Computer or cloud
Transport: stdio, streamable-http
Latest versioni: 2.12.0
Categoryi: Other
Published to registryi: Oct 30, 2026
Code last changedi: Nov 12, 2026
Maker: nulib
Packages: npm: @nulib/dc-api-mcp
oci: ghcr.io/nulib/dc-api-mcp:2.12.0
Repo: nulib/dc-api-v2
Registry status: Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Connect over the internet in

Claude ChatGPT Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Open WebUI Raycast

Run on your computer in

Claude Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Raycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

What it can do

Tool names and descriptions exactly as the server reported them on Nov 14, 2026. The maker wrote them, not us; we show them as plain text.

search
Search for works in the Digital Collections using field-based and/or natural language queries. If both a natural language query and specific field values are provided, the natural language query will take priority, using the specified field values as additional constraints. The r
get-work
Retrieve the full metadata for a work from the NUL Digital Collections.
list-collections
List collection records from the NUL Digital Collections.
similarity-search
Find works that are similar to a given work. Uses semantic similarity based on work embeddings.
view-work
View a work from the NUL Digital Collections in an interactive viewer.
view-collection
View a collection from the NUL Digital Collections in an interactive viewer.
view-search-results
View results from the search-works tool in an interactive viewer.
view-similar-works
View results from the similarity-search tool in an interactive viewer.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 15, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account nulib, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed 3 days ago
✕ Fail
Has a licence
No licence file found in the repo
✓ Pass
Endpoint responds
Responded in 366 ms (HTTP 200)
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
No sign-in needed
✓ Pass
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Read 8 tool descriptions and found no hidden instructions to the AI

Published vulnerabilities (OSV.dev)

No entries on OSV.dev for @nulib/dc-api-mcp@2.12.0

Checks only this package version, not every dependency · checked Nov 15, 2026

What we check → · JSON

Makers: ask for a re-check or report wrong info

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

User reviews

No reviews yet

Compared with others in Otheri

More stars than 93% of the other 19849 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 72% of the other 19849 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 59% of the other 19849 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API safe?

It passed 4 of 5 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

Either way works: install it on your computer or connect to the cloud version.

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed 3 days ago, and the latest version (2.12.0) reached the registry 16 days ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. It connects by URL, so apps that accept remote MCP servers work too, such as ChatGPT on the web (full MCP on Business and above; Pro read-only).

What can I use instead?

In the same category: World Monitor, openstatus, Oh My Posh Validator, Strata, Jitsu

Similar alternatives

Same category, other makers, commands already checked. Official ones first, then by stars.

Reading a card:↓ Downloads per weeki★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

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README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

dc-api-mcp

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes Northwestern University Library's Digital Collections as tools for AI assistants. It provides tools for searching, browsing, and retrieving metadata and IIIF manifests for digitized library materials.

Available Tools

Tool	Description
`search`	Search for works using field-based and/or natural language queries
`similarity-search`	Find works visually or semantically similar to a given work
`get-work`	Retrieve full metadata for a single work by ID
`view-work`	View a work's IIIF manifest for display in compatible viewers
`list-collections`	List available digital collections
`view-collection`	Browse a specific collection's IIIF manifest
`view-search-results`	Retrieve results from a previous search
`view-similar-works`	Retrieve results from a previous similarity search

Using the Remote Endpoint

The server is available as a hosted remote at:

https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp

No local installation is required. Configure your MCP client to connect to this URL using the streamable HTTP transport.

Claude Desktop

Add the following to your Claude Desktop configuration file.

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

"mcpServers": { "dc-api": { "type": "http", "url": "https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp" } } }

Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http dc-api https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp

Development

Requirements

Node.js 24+ (see .tool-versions)
mise (used by bin/run.sh to activate the correct runtime)

Setup

npm install

Configuration

The server reads the following environment variables:

Variable	Default	Description
`DC_API_BASE`	`https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2`	Base URL for the Digital Collections API
`DC_IIIF_BASE`	`https://iiif.dc.library.northwestern.edu/iiif/3`	Base URL for the IIIF server
`SECRETS_PATH`	_(none)_	Base path for AWS Secrets Manager config

Running locally

stdio (for Claude Desktop / Claude Code)

bun run stdio

Or via the wrapper script (activates the correct Node.js version via mise):

bin/run.sh

HTTP (Streamable HTTP transport, port 3000)

bun run http

Configuring Claude Desktop (local build)

"mcpServers": { "dc-api": { "command": "/path/to/dc-api-v2/mcp/bin/run.sh" } } }

Replace /path/to/dc-api-v2/mcp with the absolute path to this directory. Restart Claude Desktop after editing.

Tests

Command	Result
`bun run test`	Run the test suite
`bun test:watch`	Run the test suite, watching for changes
`bun test:coverage`	Run the test suite and calculate coverage
`bun test:record`	Run the test suite against live data and record new fixtures

By default, the test suite uses pre-recorded HTTP fixtures. Set MSW_MODE=live to run against live data.
bun test:record records new fixtures (requires mitmproxy: pip install mitmproxy).

Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API

What it does

Install

Open Claude’s Connectors page

Click “Add” → “Custom” → “Web” and fill in these 2 fields

Turn it on in a chat

Try it

Open ChatGPT’s add-MCP page on the web

Fill in the name and address

Pick Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API in a chat

Try it

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Click this button to open Cursor

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Click this button to open VS Code

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Over the web

Installed on your computer

At a glance

Which apps can use it

Related guides

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Published vulnerabilities (OSV.dev)

Discussion

User reviews

Compared with others in Otheri

Common questions

Similar alternatives

World Monitor

openstatus

Oh My Posh Validator

Strata

Jitsu

README from the maker

dc-api-mcp

Available Tools

Using the Remote Endpoint

Claude Desktop

Claude Code

Development

Requirements

Setup

Configuration

Running locally

stdio (for Claude Desktop / Claude Code)

HTTP (Streamable HTTP transport, port 3000)

Configuring Claude Desktop (local build)

Tests