# vps-choose-mcp

Lightweight MCP server that shortlists **managed VPS and cloud hosts by scenario** — same scoring rules as the interactive quiz on **[VPS Hosting Radar → Choose](https://vpshostingradar.com/choose/)**.

This server provides **one tool only**:

`shortlist_hosts`

Not a fake universal “best VPS” ranking. You get a situation shortlist with reasons and wrong-when notes.

## Output format

```json
{
  "quizUrl": "https://vpshostingradar.com/choose/",
  "guideUrl": "https://vpshostingradar.com/posts/how-to-choose-vps/",
  "disclaimer": "Situation shortlist — not a universal #1 ranking.",
  "primary": [
    {
      "tier": "primary",
      "id": "cloudways",
      "name": "Cloudways",
      "role": "managed",
      "score": 42,
      "reasons": ["Matches managed hosting preference", "Strong fit for agency"],
      "wrongWhen": "cheapest DIY box or cheapest shared intro plan",
      "reviewUrl": "https://vpshostingradar.com/posts/cloudways-review/"
    }
  ],
  "alternatives": []
}
```

### What each part means

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `quizUrl` | Interactive web quiz (same rules) |
| `guideUrl` | Written how-to-choose guide |
| `primary` | Top 2 picks for the scenario |
| `alternatives` | Next 1–2 options |
| `reasons` | Why this host scored well |
| `wrongWhen` | When this pick is a poor fit |
| `reviewUrl` | Optional deeper review on vpshostingradar.com |

## Quick Start

```bash
npm install
npm run build
```

## MCP Config Example

### Claude Desktop (`claude_desktop_config.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vps-choose-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["<ABSOLUTE_PATH>/vps-choose-mcp/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Cursor / Windsurf / Other MCP clients

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vps-choose-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["<ABSOLUTE_PATH>/vps-choose-mcp/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Claude Code

```bash
claude mcp add vps-choose -- node <ABSOLUTE_PATH>/vps-choose-mcp/dist/index.js
```

## Tools

| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `shortlist_hosts` | Four buyer inputs → top 2 primary + 1–2 alternatives, with reasons and review links |

## Tool Input

```json
{
  "scenario": "agency",
  "ops": "managed",
  "budget": "premium",
  "workload": "growth"
}
```

| Parameter | Required | Description |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| `scenario` | Yes | `personal` \| `agency` \| `woo` \| `wordpress` \| `diy` |
| `ops` | Yes | `managed` \| `diy` \| `either` |
| `budget` | Yes | `budget` \| `balanced` \| `premium` |
| `workload` | Yes | `low` \| `growth` \| `high-traffic` |

## Notes

- Fully **offline / local** — no API keys, no network calls.
- Catalog is a fixed editorial shortlist (15 hosts), not live pricing.
- Prefer the interactive quiz for humans: https://vpshostingradar.com/choose/
- Written walkthrough: https://vpshostingradar.com/posts/how-to-choose-vps/

Built for [VPS Hosting Radar](https://vpshostingradar.com/) — scenario-first managed VPS and cloud shortlists.