AI Search MCP

Our hosted MCP server puts AI search in front of the block catalog. Connect it to Cursor, Claude Code, or VS Code and your assistant can find the right block from a plain language description, then install it with the shadcn CLI.

Searching needs no account or API key. The server is hosted at https://www.shadcn-ui-blocks.com/api/mcp and is read only: it returns block matches and install commands, never source code.

What your assistant can do

  • search_blocks: search the whole catalog with a plain description like "hero with an image on the right and a testimonial quote". Returns ranked matches, why each matched, and the install command.
  • get_block: look up one block by its registry item name and get its description, preview URL, and install command.
  • list_collections: list the collections with their groups and block counts, useful for scoping a search.

Connect the server

  1. 1

    Add the server to your client

    In Claude Code, one command does it:

    Terminal
    claude mcp add --transport http shadcn-ui-blocks https://www.shadcn-ui-blocks.com/api/mcp

    In Cursor, add the server to .cursor/mcp.json (or the global ~/.cursor/mcp.json):

    .cursor/mcp.json
    {
  "mcpServers": {
    "shadcn-ui-blocks": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://www.shadcn-ui-blocks.com/api/mcp"
    }
  }
}

    In VS Code, add it to .vscode/mcp.json:

    .vscode/mcp.json
    {
  "servers": {
    "shadcn-ui-blocks": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://www.shadcn-ui-blocks.com/api/mcp"
    }
  }
}
  2. 2

    Describe the block you need

    Ask your assistant in plain words and let it search. For example:

    • "Find me a pricing section with a comparison table."
    • "I need a hero with an app screenshot on the right, search Shadcn UI Blocks."
    • "What testimonial blocks with star ratings are available?"
  3. 3

    Install the match

    Every result carries its install command, for example npx shadcn@latest add @shadcn-ui-blocks/modern-saas-hero-sections-centered-with-backdrop. Free blocks install right away. Blocks you own install once the @shadcn-ui-blocks registry is configured with your API key, which the Shadcn CLI guide walks through.

Using it with the Shadcn MCP

The two servers complement each other. The Shadcn MCP reads the registries configured in your project and handles installation, while this server adds catalog wide search that understands intent, not just names. Connect both and ask your assistant to find a block here, then add it through the registry.

Next steps