Overseerr MCP Server

The Overseerr MCP server bridges the gap between conversational AI and a media request platform, turning natural language into actionable commands for Overseerr. For developers building AI‑powered assistants or chatbots, this integration eliminates the need to write custom API wrappers: Claude can now query, request, and manage media directly through a single, well‑defined protocol. The server exposes two core tools—search and request—which map conversational intent to Overseerr’s REST API, enabling users to find titles or add them to their library without leaving the chat.

At its core, the server solves a common pain point: How do users discover and request media in an intuitive way? By translating phrases like “find recent sci‑fi movies” or “add the latest season of Succession” into precise API calls, it turns a cumbersome workflow (searching on the Overseerr web UI, copying IDs, then submitting requests) into a fluid dialogue. Developers benefit from this because the MCP implementation handles authentication, rate limiting, and error handling automatically, freeing them to focus on higher‑level logic or custom prompts.

Key capabilities are delivered through two straightforward tools. returns rich metadata—titles, release dates, plot synopses, availability and request status—for movies, TV shows, or people. It supports filtering by media type and accepts free‑form natural language queries, making it suitable for discovery tasks. lets the assistant submit a media request, optionally specifying seasons for TV series. The tool tracks the status of each request and can notify users when a title is approved or denied, providing end‑to‑end control within the conversation.

Real‑world use cases abound: a home media curator can ask Claude to “find cooking shows released this year” and then request the top result, all without navigating a browser. A family sharing group can maintain a shared watchlist by having the assistant add titles on behalf of multiple members. In enterprise settings, a media‑centric chatbot can surface new releases to employees and automatically enqueue them for approval by the IT team. Because the MCP server communicates over stdio, it integrates seamlessly with Claude Desktop or any other client that supports standard input/output streams.

What sets this MCP apart is its tight coupling to Overseerr’s native features combined with a minimal, declarative interface. The server automatically injects the API key via environment variables and respects Overseerr’s rate limits, ensuring reliable operation even under heavy conversational load. Its modular structure—separate configuration, API client, and server layers—makes it easy to extend or replace components, giving developers the flexibility to adapt the toolset to custom workflows or alternative media platforms.