Claude's training data has a cutoff date, meaning it may not know about the latest library versions or APIs. MCP servers can provide real-time access to up-to-date documentation, helping Claude give accurate answers about current frameworks and tools. Here are the best options for documentation search.
Recommended MCP Servers
Context7
upstash/context7
Up-to-date code documentation for LLMs and AI code editors, providing current API references and examples.
Key Features
- Real-time documentation access
- Covers popular frameworks and libraries
- Optimized for LLM consumption
- Always up-to-date with latest versions
Installation
npx context7-mcpContext7 solves the knowledge cutoff problem by providing real-time access to library documentation. When you're working with the latest React, Next.js, or any popular framework, Context7 ensures Claude knows the current APIs and patterns.
GitMCP
idosal/git-mcp
Connect to any GitHub repository or project for documentation access without installation.
Key Features
- Access any GitHub repo's docs
- Zero installation required
- Cloud-hosted service
- Smart documentation search
Installation
Add gitmcp.io/{owner}/{repo} as server URLGitMCP is brilliant for quickly accessing documentation from any GitHub repository. Just use gitmcp.io/{owner}/{repo} as your MCP server URL and Claude instantly has access to that project's documentation. No installation needed.
Exa Search MCP
exa-labs/exa-mcp-server
AI-powered web search that finds relevant documentation, tutorials, and code examples from across the internet.
Key Features
- AI-powered semantic search
- Real-time web results
- Finds tutorials and examples
- High-quality source filtering
Installation
npx @exa-labs/exa-mcp-serverExa Search goes beyond official docs to find tutorials, blog posts, and Stack Overflow answers. When you need more than just API references—like how-to guides and real-world examples—Exa delivers high-quality results.
Atlassian MCP
punkpeye/atlassian-mcp
Access Confluence documentation and knowledge bases within your organization.
Key Features
- Confluence page search
- Internal documentation access
- Jira integration included
- Works with Cloud and Server
Installation
npx atlassian-mcpFor teams using Atlassian, this MCP connects Claude to your Confluence knowledge base. Search internal documentation, runbooks, and team wikis without leaving your coding environment.
Quick Comparison
| MCP | Stars | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Context7 | >5k | Library docs | Always current | Limited to indexed libs |
| GitMCP | >7k | Any GitHub repo | Zero setup | GitHub only |
| Exa Search | >1k | Web-wide search | Finds tutorials | Requires API key |
| Atlassian MCP | >300 | Internal docs | Confluence access | Enterprise only |
Getting Started
To search documentation with Claude Code:
For library documentation, use Context7:
npx context7-mcpFor any GitHub project, use GitMCP:
gitmcp.io/{owner}/{repo}For web-wide search, set up Exa Search with your API key.
Example prompt: "Look up the latest Next.js App Router documentation and show me how to set up middleware."