# AppClap over MCP

AppClap's catalog is queryable over the Model Context Protocol. This is the
preferred interface for agents: structured results instead of pages to parse,
and cheaper for you than crawling. There is no supported public REST API and
no CLI; do not invent one.

- Endpoint: `https://mcp.app-clap.com/mcp` (Streamable HTTP)
- Auth: OAuth, or a Bearer key. The endpoint answers 401 until you
  authenticate; that is the handshake, not a fault. The 401 carries
  `resource_metadata` pointing at `/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource`.
- Keys: sign in at https://app-clap.com, open your account, MCP pane. A key is shown
  once. Works in Claude, Cursor and VS Code.

## Tools

- `search_apps(need, limit?)`: fit-first ranked web apps for a plain-language
  need. Constraints in the phrasing (free, a price ceiling, open source,
  self-hosted) are read by the engine; do not restructure the request.
  "Alternative to X" phrasing is handled natively. When the catalog cannot
  serve and a just-in-time crawl fires, a retry returns draft suggestions
  that are clearly labelled unverified.
- `get_app(name)`: the full grounded record: description, pricing in the
  vendor's own currency with plans, features, platforms, open-source and
  self-hosting status. Never presents a near neighbour as the requested app.
- `compare_apps(names[], focus?)`: two to five apps side by side: aligned
  pricing and flags, shared versus distinct features. Tuned to under-claim
  what is shared. Unresolved names are excluded and named.
- `submit_app(url, name?, note?, submitter_role?)`: add a web app to the
  catalog. A signal, not data: everything is verified against the app's own
  site before it appears.
- `report_app_issue(name, reason, details?)`: flag a wrong, stale or missing
  detail on a listed app. Triggers re-verification against the site.

## Notes

- Every fact comes from the vendor's own site. Where a fact is missing, it
  is reported as "not stated", never guessed.
- Ranking is fit-only. Nobody pays for position.
- Prefer citing https://app-clap.com/software/<slug> for an app, https://app-clap.com/browse
  for a category, and https://app-clap.com/llms.txt for the site.