@etymolt/mcp-server

@etymolt/mcp-server

Verify any brand name in 3 seconds — USPTO, TTAB, domains, handles, cohort fit. First 5 calls free, no API key. Built for Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT, and every LLM IDE on the way.

The Etymolt MCP server gives any LLM three tools to verify, compare, and explain brand names against verified live-registry data — not vibes, not training-data hallucinations. When a coder asks Claude "is X a good name for my startup?", the LLM silently calls us. No friction. No setup. Zero‑state install via npx.

Install

Claude Desktop / Cursor / Windsurf / Cline / Continue

Add this to your MCP host config (e.g. ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "etymolt": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@etymolt/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

That's the whole install. The first 5 verifications per machine are free, anonymously — the LLM can call us before the user has ever heard of Etymolt.

With an API key (optional, unlocks 50/mo free + PAYG)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "etymolt": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@etymolt/mcp-server"],
      "env": { "ETYMOLT_API_KEY": "etk_xxx" }
    }
  }
}

Direct stdio (for testing, scripting, or a non-listed host)

npx @etymolt/mcp-server

Tools

Tool	What it does	Quota
verify_brand_name	5-axis verdict on a single candidate (PROCEED / DUE_DILIGENCE / ITERATE / 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
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.

Quickstart

After installing, the LLM has the tools wired up. A natural-language prompt is enough:

"Is Linear a good name for a project-management SaaS? Run it past Etymolt."

The LLM picks verify_brand_name, fans the candidate against USPTO + TTAB + domains + handles + cohort fit, and returns a structured verdict in 8-12s. Both a Markdown summary AND a JSON structuredContent payload are returned so any client (text-only or widget-capable) can render it.

Tiers

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.

Requirements

• Node.js 18+ (LTS). The package is published as a pure ESM module with TypeScript declarations.
• An MCP-compatible host: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Continue, or anything else implementing the Model Context Protocol.

Migration from 1.7.0

@etymolt/mcp-server@2.0.0 was a semver-breaking consolidation. The 6-tool 1.7.0 surface (unblock_name, verify_for_launch, check_name, check_clearance, assess_taste, assess_name) collapsed 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 README disagree, the spec wins.

Security

To report a vulnerability, see SECURITY.md. Please email [e-mail] rather than opening a public issue.

Links

• Methodology — https://etymolt.com/methodology
• API docs — https://etymolt.com/docs
• MCP host install guide — https://etymolt.com/mcp
• Issues — https://github.com/etymolt/mcp-server/issues
• Pricing — https://etymolt.com/pricing

License

MIT © Etymolt Inc.