---
title: "MCP Server"
description: "CarsXE MCP server for AI editors — Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf."
canonical_url: "https://docs.carsxe.com/docs/integrations/mcp"
markdown_url: "https://docs.carsxe.com/docs/integrations/mcp.md"
last_updated: "1980-01-01"
---

# MCP Server
URL: /docs/integrations/mcp
LLM index: /llms.txt
Description: CarsXE MCP server for AI editors — Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf.

The CarsXE MCP server exposes vehicle data directly to AI editors and agents. Once configured, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, and Windsurf can look up VINs, decode plates, pull recalls, and more — all from within your AI workflow.

## Available tools

| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| `get-vehicle-specs` | Full vehicle specifications from a VIN |
| `decode-vehicle-plate` | License plate → VIN lookup (50+ countries) |
| `international-vin-decoder` | Decode non-US international VINs |
| `get-market-value` | Retail, trade-in, and auction estimates |
| `get-vehicle-history` | Title events, salvage, and insurance records |
| `get-vehicle-images` | Vehicle photos by make, model, and year |
| `get-vehicle-recalls` | Open safety recalls by VIN |
| `recognize-plate-image` | Extract plate info from an image URL |
| `vin-ocr` | Extract VIN text from an image via OCR |
| `get-year-make-model` | Look up vehicles by year, make, and model |
| `decode-obd-code` | Decode OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes |

## Setup

Add the CarsXE server to your editor's MCP configuration. Replace `your_key_here` with your API key from the [developer dashboard](https://api.carsxe.com/dashboard/developer).

<CodeGroup title="MCP configuration">

```json {{ title: "Claude Desktop" }}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carsxe": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "carsxe-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "CARSXE_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

```json {{ title: "Cursor" }}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carsxe": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "carsxe-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "CARSXE_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

```json {{ title: "VS Code" }}
{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "carsxe": {
        "type": "stdio",
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "carsxe-mcp"],
        "env": {
          "CARSXE_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

```json {{ title: "Windsurf" }}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carsxe": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "carsxe-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "CARSXE_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

</CodeGroup>

### Config file locations

| Editor | Config file |
|---|---|
| Claude Desktop (macOS) | `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Claude Desktop (Windows) | `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Cursor | `.cursor/mcp.json` (project) or `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (global) |
| VS Code | `.vscode/mcp.json` (project) or User Settings JSON |
| Windsurf | `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` |

## Using the tools

After configuration, restart your editor. The CarsXE tools will appear in your AI assistant's tool list. You can invoke them naturally:

> "What are the specs for VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956?"

> "Are there any open recalls on this car?"

> "What's the market value of a 2019 BMW 5 Series with 45,000 miles in California?"

The server formats all responses as readable Markdown so results are easy to scan in chat.

## Best practices

**Use `npx -y` to always run the latest version.** The `-y` flag skips the install confirmation prompt and ensures you're on the current release.

**Never commit your API key.** Store it only in the editor config file (which lives outside your repo) or in a secrets manager. Rotate it from the [developer dashboard](https://api.carsxe.com/dashboard/developer) if it's ever exposed.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.
Docs-scoped sitemap: [/docs/sitemap.md](/docs/sitemap.md).
Well-known sitemap: [/.well-known/sitemap.md](/.well-known/sitemap.md).