How do I install the labmate mcp server?

Use a recorded configuration for your client, replace example credential values and paths, and verify the documented runtime. Restart or reconnect the client, then inspect the available tools.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `RXN_API_KEY`, `ROWAN_API_KEY`, `UNPAYWALL_EMAIL`, `SEMANTIC_SCHOLAR_API_KEY`, `MATERIALS_PROJECT_API_KEY`, `WOS_API_KEY`, `COMPTOX_API_KEY`, `S2_API_KEY` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

SSyncDev

Start a project

Labmate MCP Server

81 chemistry tools — literature, calculations, retrosynthesis

Local serverstdio

What is the Labmate MCP Server?

81 chemistry tools — literature, calculations, retrosynthesis

The short version

labmate-mcp is an MCP server that connects Claude to scientific databases, computational chemistry tools, bench references, and writing utilities. One install covers the entire research workflow.

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
search_papers	Crossref + OpenAlex + S2
get_paper_details	Crossref + OpenAlex + S2
find_similar_papers	Semantic Scholar
get_paper_citations	Semantic Scholar
get_paper_references	Semantic Scholar
get_author_profile	OpenAlex + S2
analyze_research_topic	OpenAlex
find_open_access_pdf	Unpaywall
search_chemrxiv	Crossref + OpenAlex
get_chemrxiv_categories	—
search_web_of_science	Web of Science
generate_bibtex	Crossref
get_journal_metrics	OpenAlex
search_protein_structures	RCSB PDB

How to install the Labmate MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "labmate": {
      "command": "labmate-mcp",
      "env": {
        "RXN_API_KEY": "your-rxn-key",
        "ROWAN_API_KEY": "your-rowan-key",
        "UNPAYWALL_EMAIL": "you@university.edu"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

Variable	Description	Required
RXN_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
ROWAN_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
UNPAYWALL_EMAIL	Configuration value read at startup.	Optional
SEMANTIC_SCHOLAR_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
MATERIALS_PROJECT_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
WOS_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
COMPTOX_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
S2_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes

Example prompts to try

“Use Labmate to search papers.”
“Use Labmate to get paper details.”
“Use Labmate to find similar papers.”

Frequently asked questions

81 chemistry tools — literature, calculations, retrosynthesis Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.