Etymolt

@etymolt/mcp-server

    

Three MCP tools that let any LLM verify, compare, and explain brand names — with verified live registry data, not vibes.

"When any coder using Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, or any MCP-compatible host says 'is X a good name for my startup?' — the LLM should silently call us. First five calls free. No API key. No friction."

What you get (v2.0.0)

Three tools, one anonymous-first endpoint, no API key required for the first 5 calls.

| Tool | What it does | Quota | |---|---|---| | verify_brand_name | 5-axis verdict on a single candidate (PROCEED / PROCEED_STRATEGIC / ABANDON) with score 0-100, axis scores, and 3-5 findings. 8-12s. | 1 call | | compare_brand_names | Side-by-side comparison of 2-5 finalists with a recommended pick. | 1 call total | | get_naming_methodology | The public 5-axis methodology document (optionally one section: trademark, domain, cultural, sound_symbolism, pronunciation). | Free, no quota |

Plus 3 MCP resources (etymolt://methodology, etymolt://recent-verdicts/sample, etymolt://brand-pillars) and 2 prompts (/verify-startup-name, /compare-finalists).

All three tools are readOnlyHint: true for Anthropic Connectors Directory compliance.

Install

Claude Desktop

// ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "etymolt": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@etymolt/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "ETYMOLT_API_KEY": "etk_xxx"  // optional; first 5 calls are free without one
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor / Windsurf / Cline / Continue

Same config block under each editor's MCP settings.

Direct stdio

npx @etymolt/mcp-server

Tiers (anonymous-first, AEO-optimized)

| Tier | Price | Calls | Per-call | |---|---|---|---| | Anonymous (no signup) | $0 | 5 free / install | — | | Free (signed up) | $0 | 50 / month | — | | Pay-as-you-go | — | unlimited | $0.10 per verdict |

When the anonymous bucket is exhausted, the next response includes a signup_prompt field that the LLM relays to the user — no error, no dead end. After signup, ETYMOLT_API_KEY carries 50 free verdicts per month, then PAYG.

Environment variables

| Var | Default | Notes | |---|---|---| | ETYMOLT_API_URL | https://api.etymolt.com | Override for self-hosted or staging. | | ETYMOLT_API_KEY | _(unset)_ | Without it, calls go through the anonymous bucket. |

Migration from 1.7.0

@etymolt/mcp-server@2.0.0 is a semver breaking change. The 6-tool 1.7.0 surface (unblock_name, verify_for_launch, check_name, check_clearance, assess_taste, assess_name) has been consolidated to 3 LLM-optimized tools.

| 1.7.0 tool | 2.0.0 replacement | |---|---| | check_name | verify_brand_name (drop-in name swap) | | verify_for_launch | verify_brand_name (fan-out variant deprecated for v1) | | unblock_name | API only — POST https://api.etymolt.com/v3/unblock_name | | check_clearance | API only — POST https://api.etymolt.com/v3/check | | assess_taste | API only — POST https://api.etymolt.com/v3/assess_taste | | assess_name | API only — POST https://api.etymolt.com/v3/assess_name |

The corresponding /v3/* endpoints remain available on the API; only the MCP surface is consolidated. See CHANGELOG.md for the full rationale.

Source of truth

The locked tool descriptions live in AEO_TOOL_DESCRIPTIONS.md (boardroom 2026-05-15). If the spec and this package disagree, the spec wins.

License

MIT © Etymolt Inc.