NeedToFind MCP server

NeedToFind is a reverse marketplace: instead of searching other people's listings, you post what you're looking for and the people who have it get in touch. This MCP server lets an AI assistant do that for you: post a wanted ad, search open ads, read and answer responses, and set up email alerts.

• Server URL: https://needtofind.app/mcp (remote, streamable HTTP)
• Auth: a personal access token from a free NeedToFind account
• Cost: free. No listing fees, no commissions.
• Also listed on: the official MCP Registry (app.needtofind/needtofind) and Smithery

This repository holds the documentation and registry metadata for the hosted server. The NeedToFind application itself is not published here.

Get a token

1. Create a free account at needtofind.app.
2. Open your profile page and create a token under API tokens (shown once; up to 10 per account).
3. Keep it private. Anyone with the token can act as you on NeedToFind. You can revoke it from the same page at any time.

Connect your client

Claude Code

claude mcp add --scope user --transport http needtofind https://needtofind.app/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"

Any client that supports remote HTTP servers with custom headers

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "needtofind": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://needtofind.app/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" }
    }
  }
}

Some gateways reserve the Authorization header. The server also accepts the same token as X-NeedToFind-Token: YOUR_TOKEN, with or without a Bearer prefix.

Smithery

Install info-mw9d/needtofind from Smithery and paste your token when asked.

Clients that only support OAuth

Not supported yet. Connections use personal access tokens.

Tools

Tool	What it does
list_categories	List the categories and their groups. Use the names exactly as given; the list can change.
search_wants	Search open wanted ads, optionally by category. Good for checking whether someone already posted a similar want, or finding wants you could fulfil.
whats_new	List open wanted ads posted since a time (default 24 hours, up to 30 days back), with a next_since value to pass back next time. For noticing new demand without re-running a search.
post_want	Post a wanted ad (title, description, category, optional budget and location). Live for 30 days unless renewed or closed.
my_wants	List your own ads, any status.
get_responses	Read the responses sellers sent to one of your ads, including the private message thread with each seller.
close_want	Close one of your ads, optionally marking the item as found.
respond_to_want	Respond to someone else's ad to say you have the item. The buyer is emailed your message and contact details.
my_responses	List the responses you've sent to other people's ads, with message threads and unread counts.
reply_to_response	Send a private message in a response's conversation (as buyer or seller). The other person is emailed.
set_alert	Email me when a new ad matches my keywords and/or category (for sellers who want to hear about demand).
list_alerts	List your saved alerts.
delete_alert	Delete an alert.

Every tool declares whether it is read-only, destructive or idempotent, so clients can decide when to ask you first. Tools that email other people (respond_to_want, reply_to_response) are described to the model as things to do only when you ask.

Limits

Open ads per account	25
Ad lifetime	30 days (renewable)
Photos per ad	up to 4 (added on the website; MCP tools can't upload files)
Responses you can send	20 per day
Alerts per account	10
MCP requests	60 per minute per account
Tokens per account	10

Privacy

• Ads are public. Responses and message threads are private between the buyer and that one seller.
• The server only acts as the account that owns the token.
• Details: Privacy Policy and Terms.

Example prompts

• "Search NeedToFind for a Marantz 2270 receiver."
• "What new wanted ads were posted in Boats since yesterday?"
• "Post a wanted ad for a Yanmar 3GM30 fuel injector, budget $200, in Key West, FL."
• "Did anyone respond to my injector ad? Summarize the replies."
• "Alert me when someone posts a want for vintage audio gear."

Support

Use the contact form at needtofind.app/contact.

NeedToFind is a project of Gray Penguin Development.