//beforeyouship — LLM cost modeling from your editor

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 bash claude mcp add --transport http beforeyouship https://beforeyouship.dev/api/mcp ## Links - Docs & tool reference: https://beforeyouship.dev/docs#mcp - Live calculator: https://beforeyouship.dev - Announcement: https://beforeyouship.dev/blog/query-llm-costs-from-claude-code