> SpecStream is the live web data engine for teams and agents. This is the Markdown copy of https://specstream.ai/docs/integrations/zencoder. Every page, with what SpecStream does and costs: https://specstream.ai/llms.txt

# Zencoder

Add SpecStream to Zencoder's IDE agent and it can search the live web, read whole pages and build lists of records in the middle of a task. In a JetBrains IDE it connects by URL and signs in with OAuth2. In VS Code it runs through SpecStream's local stdio bridge.

[SpecStream for ZencoderCoding agents](https://specstream.ai/integrations/zencoder.md)

## What you need

-   Zencoder's IDE agent in a JetBrains IDE or in VS Code.
-   A SpecStream account. New accounts get $10 of credit, no card.
-   For VS Code only: Python 3.12 or newer, for the stdio bridge.

1.  1

    ## 1. Open Zencoder's MCP settings

    In a JetBrains IDE, open **Settings**, then **Tools**, then **Zencoder**, then **MCP Servers**.

    In VS Code, Zencoder reads its servers from the `zencoder.mcpServers` key in your user `settings.json`, or in `.vscode/settings.json` for one project.

2.  2

    ## 2. Add SpecStream in a JetBrains IDE

    Paste this entry. SpecStream is a remote server over Streamable HTTP, and `"auth": "oauth2"` makes Zencoder sign you in with OAuth2, so there is no key to paste.

    Settings, Tools, Zencoder, MCP Servers

    ```json
    {
      "specstream": {
        "url": "https://api.specstream.ai/mcp",
        "auth": "oauth2"
      }
    }
    ```

3.  3

    ## 3. Add SpecStream in VS Code

    Zencoder's docs say its VS Code extension runs stdio servers today, while remote HTTP and OAuth2 are still rolling out. So in VS Code, connect through SpecStream's stdio bridge. It runs on your machine and passes each call to `https://api.specstream.ai/mcp`.

    Install it with `pip install specstream-mcp-stdio`. Then create an API key: in your SpecStream workspace, open **Agents & API**, choose **API keys**, then **Create API key**, and set a spending limit.

    Add the entry below to `settings.json` with your key in place of `YOUR_SPECSTREAM_API_KEY`. If `specstream-mcp-stdio` is not on the `PATH` that VS Code starts from, put the command's full path in `command`. Keep the key in your user settings, never in a `.vscode/settings.json` you commit.

    settings.json

    ```json
    {
      "zencoder.mcpServers": {
        "specstream": {
          "command": "specstream-mcp-stdio",
          "args": [],
          "env": {
            "SPECSTREAM_API_KEY": "YOUR_SPECSTREAM_API_KEY"
          }
        }
      }
    }
    ```

4.  4

    ## 4. Restart the IDE and sign in

    Restart the IDE so Zencoder loads the new server. In a JetBrains IDE, Zencoder then signs you in to SpecStream with OAuth2: sign in or create an account, and approve the access. Requests run on that account, with its balance and spending limits.

5.  5

    ## 5. Ask Zencoder

    Ask for something current and name SpecStream. Zencoder calls `search_web` for a quick answer and `read_pages` for the full text of the pages it found:

    In Zencoder chat

    ```text
    Use SpecStream to find the current stable release of Kotlin and read its release notes.
    ```

## What Zencoder gets

SpecStream's server at `https://api.specstream.ai/mcp` adds these tools to Zencoder's agent.

-   `search_web` answers a question from the live web, with up to 10 results for $5 per 1,000 searches. A search that returns nothing costs nothing.
-   `read_pages` returns the main text of up to 20 pages or documents (PDF, Word, Excel) in one call, at $0.80 per 1,000 pages. A page that gives no text is not charged.
-   Deep Search builds a list from a request in plain words. `compile` reads the request, `quote_capacity_work` prices it for free, and `authorize_capacity_work` starts it only after you approve the maximum. `get_find` and `list_find_rows` read the rows, each with its source.

## Approvals in Zencoder

Zencoder asks before its agent runs an MCP tool, with **Allow once**, **Always allow** and **Deny**. Searches and page reads are charged per call with no quote. Keep `authorize_capacity_work` on **Allow once**, so you see every Deep Search run before it starts. SpecStream adds its own gate there: nothing paid starts until you approve the price it quotes.

## Search quality

SpecStream's Search API scores 97.9 F-score on all 1,000 SimpleQA Verified questions and 64.0 item F1 on all 200 WideSearch tasks. The method is on [benchmarks](https://specstream.ai/benchmarks.md).

## If SpecStream does not show up

Check the entry's JSON, restart the IDE, and read the Zencoder output panel for errors. For the bridge, run `specstream-mcp-stdio` once in a terminal to check that it is installed, and check that `SPECSTREAM_API_KEY` is set in the entry's `env`.

## Cost

Connecting SpecStream to Zencoder is free, and new accounts start with $10 of credit. A search of up to 10 results costs $5 per 1,000, and a page read costs $0.80 per 1,000. Deep Search is priced per delivered row and quoted before it runs, and a run can't cost more than the maximum you approved. See [pricing](https://specstream.ai/pricing.md) and [how billing works](https://specstream.ai/docs/billing.md).

## Remove

Delete the `specstream` entry from Zencoder's MCP settings and restart the IDE. To end its access, open **Agents & API** in your SpecStream workspace and revoke Zencoder under **OAuth applications**, or revoke the key under **API keys**. Questions: [support@specstream.ai](mailto:support@specstream.ai).

## More

[SpecStream for Zencoder](https://specstream.ai/integrations/zencoder.md) covers what it does in Zencoder on one page. Every other tool has its guide in [Connect your tools](https://specstream.ai/docs/integrations.md). You see the most a request can cost before it starts, and the matches are paid from your balance. [Billing](https://specstream.ai/docs/billing.md) has the details. For help, email [support@specstream.ai](mailto:support@specstream.ai).