Social media data in Gemini CLI: adding LurkAPI as a remote MCP server

[mesmerlord]

I built LurkAPI, a social media data API whose endpoints are also a remote MCP server. Here's how to add it to Gemini CLI as a remote MCP server, so Gemini can read public TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, X and ad library data while it works.

Add it

gemini mcp add --transport http -s user lurkapi https://api.lurkapi.com/mcp

Or add it to ~/.gemini/settings.json by hand:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lurkapi": {
      "httpUrl": "https://api.lurkapi.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

The server answers 401 until you sign in, so Gemini CLI discovers its OAuth and opens the browser (Google or an email code); /mcp auth lurkapi starts it by hand. New accounts get 100 free credits, no card.

Rather use an API key (from the dashboard)? Settings strings expand environment variables:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lurkapi": {
      "httpUrl": "https://api.lurkapi.com/mcp",
      "headers": { "x-api-key": "$LURKAPI_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

There's one tool per endpoint (89). "includeTools": ["tiktok_profile", "tiktok_profile_videos", "youtube_transcript"] keeps the list short, or https://api.lurkapi.com/mcp?platforms=tiktok,youtube lists only those platforms.

Try it

How many followers does Nike have on TikTok, and what are its latest videos about?

Gemini calls tiktok_profile with handle="nike", which returns (trimmed):

{
  "user": { "uniqueId": "nike", "nickname": "Nike", "verified": true, "signature": "Just Do It." },
  "stats": { "followerCount": 9253124, "followingCount": 91, "heartCount": 49280939, "videoCount": 1089 }
}

and then tiktok_profile_videos for the latest videos, with captions, view and like counts.

Most calls cost 1 credit; packs start at $9 for 10,000. It reads public data only and can't post or message anyone. Docs: https://lurkapi.com/docs

Questions and bug reports welcome here.