WhoisXML API MCP Server

Welcome to the documentation for mcp-whoisxmlapi, a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides AI tools secure access to the WhoisXMLAPI service.

Available on: MCP Registry · Anthropic Connectors Directory · PulseMCP · npm · Docker Hub

What is WhoisXML API MCP Server?

mcp-whoisxmlapi bridges the gap between AI assistants and comprehensive domain intelligence by providing several specialized tools for domain, IP, and DNS analysis, secure token-based authentication for API access, multiple usage options including Docker and native binaries, and flexible integration supporting both stdio and streamable HTTP transport modes.

With it, you can have a fully functional conversation with your AI assistant about your domain, IP, and DNS data:

An example of the WhoisXML API MCP Server in action

Example workflows

You ask your AI assistant in plain language; it picks the tools, calls them, and works from what they return. Some examples, each with a prompt to try and the tools it uses:

Analyze brand impersonation attempts

Find newly registered domains that may be impersonating example.com, then check their reputation, WHOIS, DNS, and get a website screenshot.

Tools: brand_alert finds the newly registered lookalikes; domain_reputation, whois, dns_lookup and website_screenshot check each one.

Prepare an attack surface audit

Inventory everything under example.com: subdomains, owners, hosting IPs.

Tools: subdomain_lookup lists the subdomains, bulk_dns_lookup resolves them to IP addresses, ip_netblocks shows who owns those addresses, and whois shows the domain's registration.

Investigate malicious infrastructure

Find domains sharing the registrant email admin@example.com, then show their DNS history.

Tools: reverse_whois finds the domains; dns_history shows which IP addresses each one pointed to.

Enrich security alerts with context

Give me WHOIS, DNS, reputation, and threat intelligence context for example.com.

Tools: whois, dns_lookup, domain_reputation and threat_intelligence.

Key Features

📦 All the features you need from WhoisXMLAPI in an MCP server

  • Domain WHOIS information and history
  • DNS lookups and historical data
  • IP geolocation and network information
  • Email verification and domain categorization
  • Reverse DNS, MX, and NS lookups
  • Threat intelligence and security analysis
  • And more...

🔐 Security First

  • Token-based authentication via environment variables
  • No API keys exposed in configuration files
  • Secure communication protocols

🚀 Multiple Usage Options

  • Native binaries for all major platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows) including ARM64
  • Docker containers for simple, dependency-free execution
  • Stdio and HTTP server modes for both direct editor integration and web-based applications

🛠️ Comprehensive Tool Suite

35 specialized tools covering:

Quick Start

There are several ways to use mcp-whoisxmlapi. Choose the method that best fits your setup:

Using the Hosted Service (Easiest)

The WhoisXML API team provides a hosted instance that requires no installation or setup. Simply configure your MCP client:

Configuration for Claude Desktop, Cursor, and similar clients:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "whoisxmlapi": {
      "url": "https://mcp-hosted.whoisxmlapi.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Authentication is handled automatically via OAuth2 — you enter your WhoisXML API key once during the connect flow (free tier available), so it never lives in your config files.

Benefits:

  • ✅ No installation required
  • ✅ Always up-to-date
  • ✅ No maintenance needed
  • ✅ Managed by the WhoisXML API team

See HTTP Server Mode documentation for more details →

Pull the latest v1 image and run it with your API token:

docker pull whoisxmlapidotcom/mcp-whoisxmlapi:v1

Then, configure your client to use this image. Ideal for desktop applications like Claude Desktop and Cursor.

Complete Docker Installation Guide →

Using npm (Easiest for CLI Users)

Install and run directly with Node.js and npm - no downloads or setup required:

# Install globally for easy access
npm install -g @whoisxmlapidotcom/mcp-whoisxmlapi

# Or run directly without installing
npx @whoisxmlapidotcom/mcp-whoisxmlapi --help

Then configure your AI client to use the npm package. Perfect for CLI tools like Claude Code and Gemini.

Complete npm Installation Guide →

Using a Binary

Download the appropriate binary from our Downloads page for your platform:

# Make it executable (macOS/Linux)
chmod +x mcp-whoisxmlapi
./mcp-whoisxmlapi --help

Perfect for users who prefer standalone executables or have specific deployment requirements.

Complete Binary Installation Guide →

Getting Started

Ready to dive in? Here's your next step:

  1. Installation Guide - Choose your preferred installation method (Docker, npm, or binary)
  2. AI Client Configuration - Configure your AI client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, etc.)
  3. Tools Reference - Explore all 35 available tools
  4. Troubleshooting - Get help when things don't work as expected

Features Overview

🚀 Flexible Deployment Options

  • Hosted service - managed by WhoisXML API, no installation required
  • Docker containers for consistency across environments
  • npm packages for Node.js workflows
  • Native binaries for standalone deployment
  • HTTP server mode with modern Streamable HTTP transport for web applications

🛠️ Comprehensive API Coverage

Access the full WhoisXMLAPI suite through MCP:

  • Domain WHOIS lookups and historical data
  • DNS analysis and monitoring
  • IP geolocation and network intelligence
  • Email verification and domain categorization
  • SSL certificate analysis
  • Threat intelligence and security insights
  • Reverse DNS, IP, and WHOIS searches
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