**MCP (Model Context Protocol)** is an open protocol that lets an AI application (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor or a custom agent) discover tools on a server and call them with structured arguments. The server describes each tool with a name, a description and a JSON input schema; the client shows them to the model, and the model decides when to call one.

## What are the pieces?

*   **MCP server:** exposes tools. FastAF’s is at `https://api.fastaf.co/mcp`.
*   **Transport:** how messages travel. FastAF uses Streamable HTTP, so it runs remotely with nothing to install.
*   **tools/list:** the call a client makes to learn which tools exist. On FastAF it is public.
*   **tools/call:** runs a tool. On FastAF it needs an API key or an OAuth token.

## Which tools does FastAF expose?

FastAF’s 23 tools: `google_search`, `google_maps_places`, `google_shopping_prices`, `google_ai_answer`, `google_images`, `search_news`, `search_scholar`, `search_jobs`, `search_patents`, `search_flights`, `bing_search`, `amazon_product`, `search_ebay`, `search_walmart`, `search_zillow`, `search_youtube`, `youtube_transcript`, `read_reddit`, `get_linkedin_profile`, `search_linkedin_jobs`, `x_profile`, `scrape_url` and `extract`.

## Example: connecting and calling

```
claude mcp add --transport http fastaf https://api.fastaf.co/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $FASTAF_API_KEY"
```

The agent can then call `amazon_product` with `{"asin": "B0CHX1W1XY", "marketplace": "com"}` or `x_profile` with `{"username": "nasa"}`. Every successful result reports `credits_used` and `credits_remaining`. Step by step: [add FastAF to Claude Code, Codex and Cursor](/how-to/add-fastaf-claude-code-codex-cursor/).

## How are MCP calls paid?

From your account balance: 500 free credits every month after email verification (spent first), then optional prepaid packs. MCP is **not** paid with x402; the x402 path is REST only.

## What about tool bloat?

Every tool schema a client loads takes up model context. The MCP server always lists all its tools; choosing a subset happens in the client. See [Too many MCP tools?](/how-to/mcp-tool-schema-bloat/).

## Where is FastAF listed?

MCP servers are listed in registries so clients can find them. FastAF is in the official MCP Registry as `co.fastaf/fastaf` and publishes a server card at `https://api.fastaf.co/.well-known/mcp/server-card.json`.

## MCP or REST?

The same data is available over REST at `/v1/<name>`. Use MCP when a model chooses the tool; use REST when your own code decides what to call.

Related: [x402](/glossary/x402/) · [Pay-per-call API](/glossary/pay-per-call-api/)

## Related terms

*   [x402](/glossary/x402/): x402 is a protocol for paying for HTTP resources using a payment challenge and a signed retry.
*   [HTTP 402](/glossary/http-402/): HTTP 402 Payment Required is an HTTP status code indicating that payment is required for a resource.
*   [Pay-per-call API](/glossary/pay-per-call-api/): A pay-per-call API charges for individual API requests rather than requiring a recurring subscription.

What it costs: [FastAF pricing and credit packs](/pricing/) · [x402 price list per call](/pricing/x402-price-list/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is MCP?

an open protocol for connecting AI clients to tools and data.

## Try it on your own request

500 free credits every month after email verification, no card.

[Start free](/signup/)

## Related

*   [connect the MCP server to Claude or Codex](/how-to/add-fastaf-claude-code-codex-cursor/)
*   [best MCP servers for scraping](/how-to/best-mcp-servers-amazon-serp-scraping/)
*   [x402](/glossary/x402/)