DeepSeek MCP Server for Cursor: Setup & Config

What you can do with DeepSeek in Cursor

Pick it for explicit DeepSeek V4 controls plus model, balance, and in-memory conversation utilities.

• Inspect available models and account balance
• List or reset conversation histories in the active process

Before you start: DeepSeek in Cursor

• npx
• A DeepSeek API key for local mode
• An MCP-compatible client

This is the local stdio launch. A hosted HTTP alternative is documented at https://deepseek-mcp.ragweld.com/mcp and requires its own bearer token; it is not needed for this local configuration.

DeepSeek Cursor configuration

1. Choose Cursor configuration scope

   For DeepSeek MCP Server, open Project: .cursor/mcp.json User: ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Merge into mcpServers at project or user scope.

2. Add DeepSeek MCP Server to Cursor

   Use the deepseek-mcp-server entry below in mcpServers. Keep DeepSeek MCP Server's documented stdio connection fields and your other Cursor entries.

3. Check DeepSeek MCP Server in Cursor

   DeepSeek MCP Server: Enable in Cursor’s MCP settings; inspect tools.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "deepseek-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "deepseek-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DEEPSEEK_API_KEY": "<DeepSeek provider API key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

DeepSeek tools available to Cursor

DeepSeek's stored tool list documents 7 tools; compare it with Cursor's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

chat_completion

Find chat_completion under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Generate DeepSeek V4 chat responses from a message or conversation history.

completion

Find completion under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

create_response

Find create_response under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

list_models

Find list_models under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

get_user_balance

Find get_user_balance under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Read account balance and availability without changing account state.

reset_conversation

Find reset_conversation under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Clear one conversation history held by the current MCP process.

list_conversations

Find list_conversations under DeepSeek in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

List conversation identifiers currently held in process memory.

DeepSeek: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting DeepSeek in Cursor

• Cursor must find npx deepseek-mcp-server (Node.js/npm) for DeepSeek MCP Server. Enable the project/user entry in MCP settings and inspect its tools.
• Review DEEPSEEK_API_KEY for DeepSeek MCP Server before sharing project .cursor/mcp.json; project scope travels with the repository.
• DeepSeek MCP Server uses stdio here: Cursor must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Conversation history is limited to the current process memory
• Known limitation: Provider credentials or a hosted bearer token are required
• Known limitation: Responses API tool appears in structured data but not the README tool list
• General Cursor troubleshooting lives in the /clients/cursor guide.

Frequently asked questions