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Guide · Open source

How to use OpenSEO: setup, self-hosting and MCP tips

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

OpenSEO is an open source SEO tool, licensed under MIT and written in TypeScript, positioned as a pay-as-you-go alternative to paid suites like Semrush and Ahrefs. It covers keyword research, rank tracking, competitor insights, backlinks, site audits and AI visibility. This guide explains what you need before you start, how the self-hosting options differ, and how to connect OpenSEO to an AI agent.

OpenSEOevery-app/open-seo · ★ 26k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check prerequisites. Make sure you have Docker or a Cloudflare account, plus a DataForSEO API key.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/every-app/open-seo in your chosen folder.
  3. 3Pick a self-hosting path. Choose Docker for your own server or computer, or Cloudflare for a no-server deploy.
  4. 4Follow the setup guide. Open docs/SELF_HOSTING_DOCKER.md or docs/SELF_HOSTING_CLOUDFLARE.md and follow the steps for your path.
  5. 5Create the admin account. On first visit, create the admin account with email and password, then invite teammates by link.
  6. 6Add your DataForSEO key. Follow docs/DATAFORSEO_API_KEY.md so OpenSEO can fetch SEO data.
  7. 7Connect an AI agent (optional). Use the MCP and Agent Skills guides to let an agent such as Claude Code run SEO tasks.

What you need before you start

OpenSEO needs two things before it can return SEO data: a Docker setup for self-hosting and a DataForSEO API key. The README states that a DataForSEO API key is required for data, and you pay DataForSEO directly when you self-host.

The hosted version at openseo.so is an alternative if you do not want to run anything yourself. The README says you can try it for free on the website, and a hosted subscription is listed at $10/month.

  • Docker, for the self-hosted Docker path
  • A Cloudflare account, if you prefer the Cloudflare path
  • A DataForSEO API key, see docs/DATAFORSEO_API_KEY.md in the repository

Get the OpenSEO code

The README's install step is to clone the repository from GitHub. Run the command below in the folder where you want the project to live, then open the docs folder for the setup guides.

  • Read docs/SELF_HOSTING_DOCKER.md for the Docker path
  • Read docs/SELF_HOSTING_CLOUDFLARE.md for the Cloudflare path
  • Read docs/LOCAL_DEVELOPMENT.md if you plan to change the code
git clone https://github.com/every-app/open-seo

Choose a self-hosting path

OpenSEO supports two self-hosting paths. Both use email and password accounts. The first visitor creates the admin account, teammates join from invitation links, and MCP clients such as Claude, ChatGPT, Codex and Cursor sign in with the same accounts.

Docker runs on your own server or computer with a prebuilt image. The README says it works with Compose-based platforms such as Coolify, Portainer and Dokploy. The Cloudflare path puts OpenSEO on your own Cloudflare account with one deploy command and the README says it works on the free plan.

  • Docker: on your own server or computer, with a prebuilt image
  • Cloudflare: no server to run, one deploy command, works on the free plan
  • If you run the older single-container Docker image, the README says it still gets updates and points to a move guide in the Docker doc

Use advanced network controls (optional)

For security-focused setups, the README describes two options that replace the account sign-in with your own network controls. Cloudflare Access puts a check in front of the Cloudflare deploy so Cloudflare verifies every request before it reaches OpenSEO. On Docker, you can run without sign-in behind Tailscale, a private network or your own authenticating proxy.

  • Cloudflare Access: see docs/SELF_HOSTING_CLOUDFLARE.md
  • No sign-in on Docker: see the Without sign-in section of docs/SELF_HOSTING_DOCKER.md

Connect OpenSEO to an AI agent

OpenSEO exposes an MCP server so AI agents can use your SEO data directly. Agent Skills are reusable workflows that guide the agent through SEO tasks using the MCP. The README names Claude Code, OpenClaw and Hermes as example agents.

The README links to setup guides for ChatGPT (web or desktop, on Free and paid plans), Codex, the OpenSEO MCP and the Agent Skills.

  • ChatGPT web or desktop: openseo.so/docs/chatgpt
  • Codex: openseo.so/docs/codex-plugin
  • OpenSEO MCP: openseo.so/docs/mcp
  • Agent Skills: openseo.so/docs/skills/setup

Understand the costs

OpenSEO itself is free to self-host under the MIT licence, but it needs a DataForSEO API key for data, and you pay DataForSEO directly. The README says self-hosted costs will be slightly lower than the estimates on the website. The hosted service adds 28% to every request it makes to DataForSEO.

  • Pricing estimates: openseo.so/pricing
  • Hosted subscription: $10/month, per the README

Contribute an issue

The README says clear issues are the best way to contribute. Contribution guidelines are in docs/CONTRIBUTING.md. The project also provides a skill that helps write issues.

  • Join the Discord linked in the README to chat with the team
npx skills add every-app/open-seo --skill simple-issue-description

What people use it for

  • Running keyword research and rank tracking without a monthly suite subscription
  • Letting an AI agent such as Claude Code pull SEO data through the MCP server
  • Hosting a shared SEO tool for a small team with invitation-based access
  • Forking the codebase to build a custom SEO tool, as the README encourages

Frequently asked questions

Is OpenSEO free?

OpenSEO is released under the MIT licence, so the code is open source. The README says you pay DataForSEO directly for the data you request when self-hosting, and the hosted version at openseo.so has a free trial and a $10/month subscription.

What do I need to run OpenSEO?

The README lists Docker and a DataForSEO API key as prerequisites for the self-hosted Docker path. The Cloudflare path needs a Cloudflare account instead, and the README says it works on the free plan.

Why does OpenSEO need a DataForSEO API key?

The README says a DataForSEO API key is required to get SEO data. OpenSEO connects to DataForSEO for that data, so without a key you will not get results.

Can I use OpenSEO with Claude Code?

Yes. The README says OpenSEO exposes an MCP server so AI agents like Claude Code can use your SEO data directly, and it links to setup guides for the MCP and Agent Skills.

How is OpenSEO different from Semrush or Ahrefs?

The README describes OpenSEO as a pay-as-you-go alternative to Semrush and Ahrefs that you control, with focused workflows rather than a large suite and no subscriptions when you bring your own DataForSEO key. It is an earlier-stage project, and the README's latest release is v0.1.19, so it may not suit those who need a long-proven product.

Do I need to run a server to use OpenSEO?

Not necessarily. The README describes a Cloudflare option with one deploy command and no server to run, as well as the hosted version on openseo.so. Self-hosting with Docker means running it on your own server or computer.

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Our verdict

OpenSEO suits people who find Semrush or Ahrefs too expensive, small teams that want to self-host, and developers who want to fork it or drive SEO tasks through an AI agent. It is a poor fit if you want a fully managed, long-proven product or do not want to set up a DataForSEO account.

Install options & downloads