Run a list-building and research agent

Run a list-building and research agent

Starts an Exa Agent run that searches and reads the web to build lists, enrich records you pass in or research a question, and returns cited findings with optional schema-validated JSON.

Describe the data you want in query. Pass outputSchema for JSON in output.structured, input.data for rows to enrich, and effort to trade cost for completeness; budget caps what an auto or ultra run can spend. Runs are asynchronous: the API returns the run to poll with GET /agent/runs/{id}, and the MCP tool reports status: "running" with an id to pass back as runId. agent_run needs OAuth or an API key.

Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

{ "mcpServers": { "exa": { "url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp?login" } } }

Call the MCP tool agent_run.

Server URL: https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp?login

API (official)

• Base URL: https://api.exa.ai
• Endpoint: POST /agent/runs
• Auth: send the header Authorization: Bearer $EXA_API_KEY
• Get a key: https://dashboard.exa.ai/api-keys
• Docs: https://exa.ai/docs/get-started/quickstart

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

Rules

• Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
• Never print API keys.