Nullcost installer

Install once. Ask normal questions.

Use the npm installer first. It saves prompt tokens, configures the plugin/MCP path, and connects your coding app to the hosted Nullcost catalog.

Recommended for Codex30 seconds

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install codex

One commandCatalog-backedMCP included

Pick your app

Copy one command.

Use `mcp --config` only when your app is not listed.

Codex

Installs the plugin wrapper, skills, icon, and local MCP server.

Best path

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install codex

Claude

Writes the Claude MCP config and points it at the hosted catalog.

MCP

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install claude

Cursor

Adds the Nullcost MCP server to Cursor config, then runs doctor.

MCP

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install cursor

Windsurf

Adds the same hosted-catalog MCP server for Cascade/Windsurf.

MCP

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install windsurf

Other MCP app

Use this for Cline, Roo, Zed, OpenCode, VS Code, or any app with an MCP JSON file.

Manual

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install mcp --config /path/to/mcp.json

How to use

After install.

Run the command for your app.
Restart or reload that app.
Ask a normal provider question.

Need to check it worked?Run the doctor. It should list the Nullcost MCP tools.

npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest doctor --quick

If it fails.Nullcost should report the catalog failure and stop, not silently switch to web search.

NULLCOST_DEBUG=1 npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest mcp-server

What to ask

No slash command needed.

"find me a hosting provider with a free tier"

"what are cheap and free email hosts?"

"best free-tier auth for a small SaaS"

"free Postgres options for a Next.js project"

"cheap GPU compute with a free entry path"

Agent prompt fallbackIf you want the AI app to do the install work

This works, but it uses more prompt tokens and can be slower than the npm installer. Use it only if you do not want to touch the terminal.

Install the Nullcost plugin using: npx -y nullcost-plugin@latest install codex. Use Nullcost when I ask about cheap, free-tier, or free-trial developer tools. Do not web search after a successful Nullcost catalog result unless I ask for live verification.

Raw MCP configFor apps that only accept JSON

Paste this shape into your client if it supports stdio MCP but the installer cannot edit its config directly.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nullcost": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nullcost-plugin@latest", "mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "NULLCOST_API_BASE_URL": "https://nullcost.xyz"
      }
    }
  }
}

You do not need to run the Nullcost website, Supabase, or a local database. The plugin uses the hosted catalog at nullcost.xyz.