Appraiser PluginLightweightCommand

/setup-mcp

Connect the MarketCheck MCP server in under 2 minutes — no npm, no local processes

$/setup-mcp [api-key]

Lightweight

Complexity

API Calls

$0.00 – $0.00

MC API Cost

$0.003 – $0.008

Total Cost

Purpose

Before any skill can run, the MarketCheck MCP server must be reachable. Setup-mcp writes the MCP configuration into your Claude Code config file — either the user-level ~/.claude/.mcp.json or the project-level .mcp.json — so the marketcheck tool suite is available in every appraisal session.

Audience:Auto appraisers setting up for the first timeIT teams deploying the Appraiser plugin

Arguments

api-keyoptional

Your MarketCheck API key. Prompted interactively if not provided.

How It Works

Execution flow. MCP tool calls are shown inline on each step.

MCP Connection Check

Checks if mcp__marketcheck__* tools are already available. If yes, reports 'already connected' and stops — no config changes made.

API Key Collection

Uses the api-key argument if provided. Otherwise prompts: 'Enter your MarketCheck API key (get one at marketcheck.com)'. Key is never stored in plain text beyond the config URL.

Config File Location

Checks ~/.claude/.mcp.json (user-level, preferred) then .mcp.json (project-level). Creates ~/.claude/.mcp.json if neither exists. Reads existing config to preserve other MCP server entries.

Config Write

Merges the marketcheck server entry: { type: 'url', url: 'https://mc-api.marketcheck.com/mcp?api_key=KEY' } into the mcpServers object. Does not overwrite other servers.

Confirmation

Reports the config path and server URL written. Instructs user to restart Claude Code for the MCP connection to activate. Suggests next steps: /onboarding, then first appraisal.

Example Output

MarketCheck MCP configured successfully.

  Config file: ~/.claude/.mcp.json
  Server URL:  https://mc-api.marketcheck.com/mcp?api_key=••••••••••••••••

  ⚠  Restart Claude Code to activate the MCP connection.

  Next steps:
  1. Restart Claude Code
  2. Run /onboarding to set up your appraiser profile
  3. Try: "Price check VIN 1HGCV1F3XPA123456"

Cost Estimate

TierLightweight

API Calls0

MC API — best$0.00

MC API — worst$0.00

Claude — best$0.003

Claude — worst$0.008

Total range$0.003 – $0.008

Limitations

Requires Claude Code restart after config write for MCP to connect.
API key is embedded in the MCP server URL — keep the config file access-restricted.

Appraiser Plugin

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