---
title: "Fetch MCP server – install in Claude Desktop and Cursor"
summary: "Reference MCP server that lets an agent fetch a URL and convert the response to a representation suited to the model."
canonical: https://unlocksaas.com/mcp-tools/fetch
updated: 2026-05-22
publisher: "Unlock SaaS"
author: "Maryan"
license: All rights reserved. Quotation with attribution permitted.
---

# Fetch MCP server

> Reference MCP server that lets an agent fetch a URL and convert the response to a representation suited to the model.

- Vendor: Anthropic (reference)
- Vendor URL: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/tree/main/src/fetch
- Category: Reference servers
- Distribution: npm package (runs locally)
- Install handle: @modelcontextprotocol/server-fetch
- Official: yes
- Access: Local, free, respects standard network rules of the host machine.

## TL;DR

The Fetch reference server exposes a single, focused capability: pull a URL and return the body in a form the model can read directly. Plain text, markdown, or chunked HTML, depending on what the page returns. The right baseline when you want the assistant to look at a live web page without a heavyweight browser MCP.

## Why an indie SaaS founder cares

When you want Claude to read your own live landing page, a competitor's pricing page, or a public docs page and reason about it, Fetch is the minimum-friction way to give the assistant eyes on the web.

## What an agent can do with it

- **Fetch a URL** – Pull the body of any public HTTP/HTTPS URL the agent has permission to access.
- **Convert to model-friendly format** – Returns markdown or text rather than raw HTML where possible.

## Install in Claude Desktop

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fetch": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-fetch"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Install in Cursor

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fetch": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-fetch"]
    }
  }
}
```

## FAQ

**Can Fetch authenticate to private URLs?**

Out of the box it makes plain HTTP requests. For authenticated APIs, use the vendor-specific MCP for that service instead.

**Does Fetch render JavaScript?**

No – for client-rendered pages use a browser MCP such as Playwright.

Last verified: 2026-05-22.

---

Canonical URL: https://unlocksaas.com/mcp-tools/fetch
Publisher: Unlock SaaS (https://unlocksaas.com)
Contact: maryan@unlocksaas.com