//beforeyouship — LLM cost modeling from your editor

Model the realistic monthly cost of an LLM app before you build it.

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What it can do

  • List Archetypes: List the seven beforeyouship app archetypes (preset LLM architecture patterns) with their default usage parameters. Use an archetype id as the starting point for estimate_cost.
  • Get Model Prices: Current per-1M-token pricing for all models in the beforeyouship catalog (input, output, cached input, batch), with context windows and pricing-staleness metadata.
  • Estimate Cost: Model the realistic monthly cost of an LLM app architecture across models. Pick an archetype (see list_archetypes), give calls_per_day, and optionally override token counts and multipli

What data it sees

Do you need an account

No: the server works without sign-in

Model the realistic monthly cost of an LLM app before you build it. Not a token calculator: retries, prompt caching, batch discounts, infra overhead, and 3×/10× growth are modeled in, across GPT-5.x, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more.

Works without a key. Connect and ask — demo mode covers the six free-tier models. A Pro API key (beforeyouship.dev) unlocks the full 18-model catalog.

Tools

Tool What it does
  • estimate_cost Full cost model for an architecture at a given usage level. Returns Naive / Realistic / Worst Case $/mo per model, growth scenarios, and an opinionated recommendation. |
  • get_model_prices Current per-1M-token pricing (input, output, cached, batch) with context windows and staleness metadata. |
  • list_archetypes Seven preset architecture patterns (chatbot, RAG pipeline, multi-step agent, …) used as starting points for estimates. |

Try it

Paste into Claude Code or Cursor after connecting:

Estimate the monthly cost of a RAG pipeline at 10,000 requests/day

Setup

claude mcp add --transport http beforeyouship https://beforeyouship.dev/api/mcp

Links

How to connect

How to connect //beforeyouship — LLM cost modeling from your editor to Claude

The server address to paste into Claude settings:

https://cost-model--beforeyouship.run.tools

  1. Open Claude (claude.ai or the desktop app).
  2. Go to Settings → Connectors.
  3. Click Add custom connector.
  4. Paste the server address copied below into Remote MCP server URL and click Add.
  5. In a chat, click + → Connectors and switch the new connector on.

Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans (Free is limited to one). On Team and Enterprise an organization Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors.

Authorization

After you click Add, a sign-in window for the service opens. Sign in with your own account and approve access. Claude never sees your password.

How to connect //beforeyouship — LLM cost modeling from your editor to ChatGPT

The server address to paste into ChatGPT settings:

https://cost-model--beforeyouship.run.tools

  1. Open ChatGPT in a browser (chatgpt.com). A Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu plan is required.
  2. Turn on developer mode once: Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → Developer mode.
  3. Open Settings → Connectors and click Create.
  4. Fill in the form: Name (anything), Description (one line about what the service does), MCP server URL (copy it below).
  5. Under Authentication choose OAuth if the service requires sign-in, otherwise None. Click Create.
  6. In a new chat open + → Apps/Connectors and enable the connector.

OpenAI has renamed this section before (Connectors → Apps/Plugins). If the label differs, search settings for "developer mode". On Business/Enterprise workspaces an admin must allow custom connectors first.

Authorization

On first use ChatGPT opens the service's sign-in window. Sign in and approve access.

How to connect //beforeyouship — LLM cost modeling from your editor to Cursor

The server address to paste into Cursor settings:

https://cost-model--beforeyouship.run.tools

Fastest: click Open in Cursor below and confirm the prompt.

Manually:

  1. In Cursor open Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP and click Add new global MCP server.
  2. Paste the JSON copied below into ~/.cursor/mcp.json (per project: .cursor/mcp.json in the repo root).
  3. Save the file. The server appears in the MCP list; authorize it there if asked.

Authorization

If the service needs sign-in, an authorize button appears next to the server in the MCP list.

Server tool list (3)

Raw names from tools/list. Only developers need these.

list_archetypesList the seven beforeyouship app archetypes (preset LLM architecture patterns) with their default usage parameters. Use an archetype id as the starting point for estimate_cost.
get_model_pricesCurrent per-1M-token pricing for all models in the beforeyouship catalog (input, output, cached input, batch), with context windows and pricing-staleness metadata.
estimate_costModel the realistic monthly cost of an LLM app architecture across models. Pick an archetype (see list_archetypes), give calls_per_day, and optionally override token counts and multipliers. Returns Naive / Realistic / Worst Case monthly costs, growth scenarios, and an opinionated model recommendation.