Costable — Parametric Should-Cost Analysis

Parametric should-cost: P50/P80/P90 estimates, 801 materials, 25 countries, quote review.

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What it can do

    What data it sees

    Do you need an account

    No: the server works without sign-in

    Parametric should-cost: P50/P80/P90 estimates, 801 materials, 25 countries, quote review.

    How to connect

    How to connect Costable — Parametric Should-Cost Analysis to Claude

    The server address to paste into Claude settings:

    https://costable.ai/api/mcp

    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 Costable — Parametric Should-Cost Analysis to ChatGPT

    The server address to paste into ChatGPT settings:

    https://costable.ai/api/mcp

    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 Costable — Parametric Should-Cost Analysis to Cursor

    The server address to paste into Cursor settings:

    https://costable.ai/api/mcp

    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 (10)

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

    estimate_partInstantly estimate the should-cost of a manufactured part using natural language. Returns P50 (median), P80 and P90 cost-at-risk per unit based on Monte Carlo simulation of material price variance, labour rate variance and cycle time uncertainty. Use this for quick feasibility checks before building a full cost model.
    search_materialsSearch the Costable materials database (37 materials with LME-sourced pricing). Returns material name, category, price per kg, density, and strength properties.
    search_processesSearch the Costable manufacturing process database (41 processes). Returns process name, category, machine rate ($/hr), and cycle time model.
    get_labour_ratesGet manufacturing labour rates ($/hr) for all skill levels in a given country. Data covers 16 skill levels across 25 countries (ILO/BLS/ABS sourced).
    create_cost_modelCreate a new parametric cost model in Costable. Returns the model ID which is used by add_material_to_model, add_process_to_model, calculate_cost_model, and compare_manufacturing_countries.
    add_material_to_modelAdd a material (BOM line) to an existing cost model. Searches the materials database by name query — no need for exact IDs.
    add_process_to_modelAdd a manufacturing process step to an existing cost model. Searches the process database by name query — no need for exact IDs.
    calculate_cost_modelRun the Monte Carlo should-cost calculation on a cost model. Returns P50 (median), P80 and P90 cost-at-risk per unit, plus a full cost breakdown (material, labour, machine, overhead, margin).
    compare_manufacturing_countriesRun the cost model across multiple manufacturing countries simultaneously to identify the optimal sourcing location. Returns P50/P80/P90 per country and % delta vs baseline.
    review_supplier_quoteAnalyse a supplier quote against Costable's should-cost benchmarks. Returns a line-by-line delta (% over/under should-cost), verdict (LOW / COMPETITIVE / HIGH / VERY HIGH), and a list of the top items to challenge in negotiation.