PatSnap MCP Server

MCP Server for PatSnap API

Local serverstdio

What is the PatSnap MCP server?

MCP Server for PatSnap API. Exposed over MCP by the patsnap mcp server, that capability becomes something an assistant can invoke while it works, not something you go and do afterwards.

What it actually does

This MCP server is designed to collect patent-related information from PatSnap's API for trend analysis and reporting. It is not intended for individual patent investigations.

  • get_patent_trends — Analyze annual application and issued trends for patents. Understand the trends of patents related to specific technology fields or keywords. Either keywords or IPC classification must be specified
  • get_word_cloud — Obtain a snapshot of frequently occurring keywords/phrases from the most recent 5,000 published patents. Identify common terms for refining searches. Returns up to 100 keywords. Either keywords or IPC classification must be specified
  • get_wheel_of_innovation — Provides a two-tiered hierarchical view of keywords/phrases in a technology space. Identify common terms and their associations. Based on the most recent 5,000 publications. Either keywords or IPC classification must be specified
  • get_most_cited_patents — View the top patents cited most frequently by others, indicating influential or core technology. Returns at most Top 10 patents. Note: Search must contain either keywords or IPC. If both are provided, IPC is prioritized
  • get_top_authorities_of_origin — Returns the top authorities (priority countries) of origin for patents matching the criteria. Analyze main sources of priority filings. Either keywords or IPC classification must be specified
  • get_top_inventors — Shows the top inventors in the technology field. Evaluate top performers or identify potential recruits. Returns up to the top 10 inventors. Note: Search must contain either keywords or IPC. If both are provided, IPC is prioritized

Adding it to your client

Installation goes through your MCP client rather than a global install: point it at @kunihiros/patsnap-mcp on npm and it is fetched when the client starts. The copy-paste blocks for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are further down this page.

Configuration

You will need 2 environment variables: PATSNAP_CLIENT_ID, PATSNAP_CLIENT_SECRET. The server will not start without them, which is usually why the tools fail to appear on a first run. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.

When to reach for it

Among the planning and project tracking options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. It is maintained by KunihiroS; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against PatSnap's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the patsnap mcp server does with a few real requests.

How to install the PatSnap MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "@kunihiros/patsnap-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@kunihiros/patsnap-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "PATSNAP_CLIENT_ID": "your_patsnap_client_id_here",
        "PATSNAP_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_patsnap_client_secret_here"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

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

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
PATSNAP_CLIENT_IDConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
PATSNAP_CLIENT_SECRETCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Frequently asked questions

It accesses PatSnap's API to retrieve aggregate patent data such as trends, word clouds, top inventors, and legal status for trend analysis.