Use SpecStream in Cursor

Add SpecStream to Cursor with one entry in mcp.json, so your agent can find, check and export lists of companies, records and places while you code.

What you need

• A SpecStream account. Start free: $10 of work for 30 days, no card.

The server address is the same for every client:

https://api.specstream.ai/mcp

Connect

Add to Cursor

Cursor adds the server and opens a browser window to sign in to SpecStream. Or add it by hand:

1. Open ~/.cursor/mcp.json for every project, or .cursor/mcp.json in one project, and add the server:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "specstream": {
      "url": "https://api.specstream.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}

2. Save. Cursor opens a browser window to sign in to SpecStream the first time it connects. Review what it asks for.
3. Open Customize in the sidebar and make sure SpecStream is on, then ask in the agent chat.

Or use an API key

Create an API key

1. Open Agents & API in the workspace and choose API keys.
2. Choose Create API key. Give it only what the task needs: read, prepare or execute permissions, the projects it may use, an expiry and a spending limit.
3. Copy the key when it's shown. It isn't shown again.

Add the server

1. Keep the key in an environment variable, so the file never holds it. In your shell profile: export SPECSTREAM_API_KEY="YOUR_SPECSTREAM_API_KEY". Restart Cursor so it sees the variable.
2. Open ~/.cursor/mcp.json for every project, or .cursor/mcp.json in one project, and add the server. Cursor fills in ${env:NAME} in headers when it starts the server.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "specstream": {
      "url": "https://api.specstream.ai/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${env:SPECSTREAM_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Save the file. Open Customize in the sidebar and make sure SpecStream is on.
4. Ask in the agent chat. Cursor asks for approval before it runs a tool, unless you've turned that off.

The project file holds only the variable's name, so it is safe to commit and share.

Try it

Once Cursor shows SpecStream's tools, ask in your own words:

Use SpecStream to find Rust command-line tools on GitHub with more than 1,000 stars, pushed to in the last month, under an MIT or Apache license. Show me the price first.

SpecStream reads the request back and gives you the price. Nothing is spent until you approve a maximum, and you pay only for the matches, each with its source.

Set access and spending limits

An agent works on your account, with the same balance, permissions and spending limits you have. Give its key the least it needs: read, prepare or execute permissions, project limits, an expiry and a spending ceiling. Paid work needs an approved price with a ceiling, and reading, exporting and sharing cost nothing.

More

• MCP connection details, including the 97 tools.
• The REST API, the SDKs and command line, and everything your agent can do.
• How quotes and billing work.
• Other clients: Claude, ChatGPT, VS Code, Perplexity.

Get started – free

Steps checked against Cursor's documentation on Oct 7, 2026: Cursor: Model Context Protocol.