@etymolt/mcp-server

npm Add to Claude Desktop Add to Cursor Smithery License: MIT

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.