# 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.