ask_llm
Ask WolframAlpha a query and get LLM-optimized structured response with multiple formats
LABSCO SUMMARY
Two answer shapes for the same question: structured when the working matters, short when it does not.
The whole surface is a query in and an answer out, which makes it a drop-in for the arithmetic, unit conversion and factual computation a model should not be doing in its head. Each call stands alone — no session, no history, no stored results — so a follow-up question has to carry its own context. validate_key is the only diagnostic in the set, and it is the right first call when answers come back empty.
What it is
A WolframAlpha front end with two answer shapes and a credential check, 3 tools in total.
What you get
- ask_llm returns a structured response in multiple formats for a query, which is the shape to use when the working matters and not only the number
- get_simple_answer returns the condensed version, focused on the most relevant information
- validate_key checks the WolframAlpha LLM API key, which is what separates a failing credential from a query that returned nothing
Requirements
A WolframAlpha LLM API key, which validate_key exists to confirm. The two answer tools take a query and nothing else.
Setup effort
Build from source — git clone https://github.com/Garoth/wolframalpha-llm-mcp.git
USE CASES
01
Settling a computation the model should not do in its head
Put the question to WolframAlpha and take the structured answer when the intermediate steps matter, or the condensed one when only the result is going into the reply.
02
Telling a bad key apart from a bad query
When answers come back empty, check the credential first — the key check is the only diagnostic here, and it separates an authentication problem from a query WolframAlpha could not resolve.
3 tools
Counted once with only startup setup. Other versions, modes or optional credentials may expose a different list.
get_simple_answer
Get a simplified, LLM-friendly answer focusing on the most relevant information
validate_key
Validate the WolframAlpha LLM API key
BEFORE YOU INSTALL
What to know first
Tools you get
3 tools when we connected.
Requires
WOLFRAM_LLM_APP_ID in your environment
Where it runs
The documented client runs the server on your machine.
CONTEXT COST
Light Standing cost
Rated by the size of the 3 tool definitions that ride along on every turn, not by how many there are
INSTALLATION
Connect your client
You clone and build this one yourself.
Server setup
TERMINAL
git clone https://github.com/Garoth/wolframalpha-llm-mcp.git
cd wolframalpha-llm-mcp
npm install
npm run buildMCP Clients
Cline
CLINE · JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"wolframalpha": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_WOLFRAMALPHA_MCP_SERVER>/build/index.js"
],
"env": {
"WOLFRAM_LLM_APP_ID": "<YOUR_WOLFRAM_LLM_APP_ID>"
},
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": [
"ask_llm",
"get_simple_answer",
"validate_key"
]
}
}
}<YOUR_PATH_TO_WOLFRAMALPHA_MCP_SERVER> is the full path of your wolframalpha-llm-mcp clone (the folder the git clone step creates), and <YOUR_WOLFRAM_LLM_APP_ID> is your WolframAlpha LLM API key from developer.wolframalpha.com.
