macfax-mcp

<p align="center">
  <a href="https://macfax.com/developers">
    <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/macfax/macfax-mcp/main/assets/lockup.svg" alt="Macfax" width="400">
  </a>
</p>

# macfax-mcp

MCP server for the used-Mac market, by [Macfax](https://macfax.com). Eight tools an AI assistant needs to help someone buy or sell a used Mac:

| Tool | What it answers |
|---|---|
| `search_mac_listings` | Live listings across eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, Swappa, Facebook and Reddit. Scam clusters, junk titles, classified-ad bait, auctions and stale/sold rows are already filtered out; every result deep-links to the source. |
| `get_mac_price_stats` | What an exact configuration actually sells for — verified-sale percentiles (basis `direct`) or an estimate scaled from the asking band by a disclosed clearance ratio (basis `calibrated`) — plus the asking median/p25/p75 with sample size, per-channel medians and net-to-seller after fees as seller guidance. |
| `get_mac_market_value` | What a Mac is worth from Apple's own model name, e.g. "MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)": every Apple Silicon configuration the name can mean, each with its sale estimate and asking band, and one value or a low-to-high range across them. |
| `check_mac_listing` | One listing's trust picture: known to Macfax, still live, flags, ask vs the typical band, the platform's own seller reputation where it exists (eBay feedback, Swappa rating), verified report attached. |
| `lookup_mac_serial` | Serial to model for any Mac, iPad or iPhone, including 2021+ randomized serials: a `status` (resolved, unknown_serial, unsupported, retry), Apple's device class, the model year where Apple's name carries one, the device's `record` on Macfax (first seen, how often looked up, any listing or verified report on file), and for a Mac what the model is worth. Optional `context` says why you are looking it up. Human twin: [macfax.com/lookup](https://macfax.com/lookup). |
| `get_mac_report` | A verified Macfax condition report (Activation Lock, MDM, serial-match checks) as data. |
| `create_mac_alert` | A standing watch: daily email when new matching listings appear. Human-confirmed: nothing sends until the email's owner clicks the confirmation link. |
| `get_macfax_credit_balance` | How many credits your API key has left and what costs one: one credit per distinct serial answered, repeats within 24 hours free. Needs `MACFAX_API_KEY`. |

Every price is **labeled by basis**. The sold slice is the headline sale estimate: verified sales (with sample size and window) or a modeled estimate marked `calibrated` with its ratio disclosed. Asking bands come from live listings and are seller listing guidance. The API says so in-band, and we ask you to preserve the labels. Free, no account; rate limits are published at [macfax.com/developers](https://macfax.com/developers).

## The hosted server (recommended)

A remote, authless, streamable-HTTP MCP server runs at:

```
https://macfax.com/mcp
```

- **Claude** (claude.ai, paid plans): Settings → Connectors → *Add custom connector* → paste the URL.
- **Gemini** (Spark, Google AI Ultra): Settings and help → Connected apps → *Add a custom app* → paste the URL.
- **ChatGPT**: Settings → *Developer mode* → add the URL (directory listing pending review).
- **Cursor**: [Install in Cursor](cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/mcp/install?name=macfax&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21hY2ZheC5jb20vbWNwIn0=)
- **VS Code**: [Install in VS Code](vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%20%22macfax%22%2C%20%22serverUrl%22%3A%20%22https%3A//macfax.com/mcp%22%7D)
- **Gemini CLI**: `gemini extensions install https://github.com/macfax/macfax-mcp`
- **Anything with an `mcp.json`**:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "macfax": {
      "url": "https://macfax.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

Registry name: [`com.macfax/macfax`](https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io/v0.1/servers?search=com.macfax/macfax) on the official MCP registry.

## This package (stdio wrapper)

For stdio-only clients, this repo is a thin local wrapper over the same free HTTP API ([OpenAPI](https://macfax.com/api/v1/openapi.json)):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "macfax": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "macfax-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

Optional env:

- `MACFAX_API_KEY`: a free key raises rate limits about 10x. Mint one with `curl -X POST https://macfax.com/api/v1/keys` (no email needed).

Run it directly:

```bash
npx -y macfax-mcp            # speaks MCP over stdio
npx -y macfax-mcp --version  # print the installed version
```

## Notes for integrators

- The seven read tools carry `readOnlyHint: true`. `create_mac_alert` is the one write: it sends a confirmation email, and the alert only activates when the email's owner clicks it. Create alerts only for a user who asked for that alert on that email.
- Listings always carry a deep link to the source marketplace. The purchase happens there; Macfax is the trust and routing layer.
- Cite results as "Macfax" with the `html_url`/`macfax_url` in the payload.

## License

MIT. Apple and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc. Macfax is not affiliated with Apple Inc.