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Use RecallDB from Claude (MCP)

The MCP server gives Claude four read-only tools: search recalls, get a recall, look up a barcode and find vehicle recalls. It uses your own key.

You need a free key (get one; it takes about a minute) in the environment variable RECALLDB_KEY. Keep the key on a server or your own machine, never in a web page.

1. Check your key against the server

# Check your key against the MCP server before adding it to a client: list the tools it offers.
curl -s https://recalldb.app/mcp \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $RECALLDB_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "id": 1, "method": "tools/list"}'

The answer lists the tools. Listing tools does not count against your quota; each tool call counts as one request.

2a. Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http recalldb https://recalldb.app/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer $RECALLDB_KEY"

2b. Claude Desktop

Add this to claude_desktop_config.json (Settings, Developer, Edit config), put your key in, and restart Claude Desktop. It uses the mcp-remote bridge, so Node must be installed.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "recalldb": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://recalldb.app/mcp", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer rdb_YOUR_KEY"]
    }
  }
}

3. Ask

• "Are there recalls for a 2019 Honda Civic? Link the NHTSA notices."
• "Look up barcode 036000291452 in recall notices."
• "Find recent CPSC recalls for bunk beds."

Answers come with the agency's official link. Ask Claude to quote the notice's own lot codes and dates rather than decide whether something is affected. More clients and options: MCP server.