DebateTalk MCP
Official MCP server and CLI for DebateTalk — run structured multi-model AI debates from your AI assistant or terminal.
DebateTalk makes multiple AI models argue a question independently, challenge each other's reasoning, and converge on a structured synthesis: Strong Ground, Fault Lines, Blind Spots, and Your Call.
Features
- MCP server — connect Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client to DebateTalk
- CLI — run debates and check model status from the terminal
- Streaming output — debates stream in real time via SSE
- 5 tools:
run_debate,get_model_status,recommend_models,estimate_cost,get_history
Quickstart
Claude Code — plugin marketplace
1. Add the DebateTalk marketplace:
/plugin marketplace add DebateTalk-AI/mcp
2. Install the plugin:
/plugin install debatetalk@debatetalk-mcp
3. Set your API key:
Get a key at console.debatetalk.ai/api-keys, then add it to ~/.claude/settings.json:
{
"pluginConfigs": {
"debatetalk@debatetalk-mcp": {
"options": {
"api_key": "dt_your_key_here"
}
}
}
}
Then run /reload-plugins — the five DebateTalk tools are immediately available in your session.
MCP (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline, Goose, and any MCP-compatible client)
1. Get an API key
Create a key at console.debatetalk.ai/api-keys. Requires a Pro or Enterprise plan. Free tier: 5 debates/day.
2. Add to your MCP client config
{
"mcpServers": {
"dt": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@debatetalk/mcp"],
"env": {
"DEBATETALK_API_KEY": "dt_your_key_here"
}
}
}
}
Config file locations:
- Claude Desktop (Mac):
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Claude Desktop (Windows):
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json - Claude Code:
~/.claude/settings.json(undermcpServers) - Cursor:
.cursor/mcp.jsonin your project root - Windsurf:
~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json - Cline / Roo Code: MCP settings panel in VS Code extension
- Goose:
~/.config/goose/config.yaml(underextensions) - Other clients: refer to your client's MCP documentation
3. Ask your AI assistant to run a debate
MCP clients read the tool description to decide when to call it — no exact phrasing required. Any of these work:
"debate whether we should rewrite our backend in Go" "use DT — should we raise our Series A now?" "multi-model this: is Rust worth learning in 2026?" "stress-test this architecture decision" "get a second opinion on moving to microservices"
Claude will also invoke it proactively for high-stakes decisions where a single AI answer is insufficient.
CLI
Install globally:
npm install -g @debatetalk/mcp
Set your API key:
export DEBATETALK_API_KEY=dt_your_key_here
Run a debate:
dt debate "Should we adopt microservices?"
Check which models are online:
dt models
Get a recommended model panel for your question:
dt recommend "Is Rust worth learning in 2026?"
Estimate cost before running:
dt cost "Should we raise our Series A now?"
View past debates:
dt history
dt history --limit 5
MCP Tools Reference
| Tool | Auth required | Description |
|---|---|---|
run_debate | Yes | Run a structured multi-model debate (streaming) |
get_model_status | No | Real-time health and latency for all models |
recommend_models | No | Get the best model panel for your question |
estimate_cost | Yes | Estimate credit cost before running |
get_history | Yes | List your past debates |
run_debate
question string required The question or topic to debate
models array optional Specific model IDs to use (omit for smart routing)
rounds number optional Number of deliberation rounds (default: 2)
get_model_status
No parameters. Returns live health, latency, and uptime per model.
recommend_models
question string required The question — routing picks the strongest panel
estimate_cost
question string required
models array optional
rounds number optional
get_history
limit number optional Number of debates to return (default: 20, max: 100)
Configuration
| Variable | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
DEBATETALK_API_KEY | For authenticated tools | Your API key from console.debatetalk.ai |
Public tools (get_model_status, recommend_models) work without an API key.
Plans & Limits
| Plan | Debates/day | API keys | Debaters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 5 | — | 3 |
| Pro | Unlimited | 2 | 5 |
| Enterprise | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 |
Development
git clone https://github.com/DebateTalk-AI/mcp
cd mcp
npm install
npm run build
npm test
Run MCP server locally:
DEBATETALK_API_KEY=dt_your_key npm run dev:mcp
Run CLI locally:
DEBATETALK_API_KEY=dt_your_key npm run dev:cli -- debate "your question"
Contributing
See CONTRIBUTING.md. Issues and PRs welcome.
License
MIT — see LICENSE.