API › Setup guides › Claude Code

Claude CodeWorks today

One command. Claude Code then searches parcels, pulls owner records and checks comps against our live database as native tools, not by reading a web page.

You need a key first. API keys come with the Professional plan. Generate one on your account page, under API access. It starts with jbp_ and is shown once, so copy it when it appears. Everywhere below, replace jbp_your_key with it.

Set it up

Run the add command in any terminal.

claude mcp add --transport http jbparcel https://jbparcel.com/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer jbp_your_key"

Check it registered.
```
claude mcp list
```
jbparcel should appear with a connected status.
Ask for something. Try: find absentee-owned vacant parcels over 5 acres in Wilson County TN held more than 20 years. Claude picks the tool on its own.

Just this project, or everywhere?

Claude Code stores MCP servers per project by default. Add --scope user to make JB PARCEL available in every project on your machine, which is usually what you want for a data source.

claude mcp add --transport http jbparcel https://jbparcel.com/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer jbp_your_key" --scope user

Keep the key out of shared files and shell history. A project-scoped config holding a live key must never be committed to a shared repository. Prefer user scope, or keep the key in an environment variable.

What you get

Once connected, three tools appear in your assistant:

Tool	What it does
`search_parcels`	Runs the same advanced search the site runs. Filter by county, owner, acreage, year built, zoning, sale date, value, vacancy, absentee owners, LLC and trust owners.
`get_parcel`	Pulls one parcel's full record. Always free, never counted.
`get_account`	Reports your plan and what is left of your budget.

Budgets are shared with the site and the REST API. Every row a search returns counts, at any page size: 20,000 rows per day. Parcel lookups have their own separate count, 1,600 per day, so pulling one property's full record never eats into search. CSV exports are kept apart from both and keep their own rolling 7-day and 30-day budgets.

If it does not connect

What you see	What it means
401 Unauthorized	The key is missing, mistyped or revoked. Check the header reads exactly `Authorization: Bearer jbp_...` with one space after Bearer.
402, or a message about your plan	The key is valid but the account is not on Professional. API and connector access come with Professional.
405 Method Not Allowed	Something sent a GET. Our server speaks POST only. This almost always means the client is configured for SSE instead of streamable HTTP.
Connects, but no tools appear	Restart the client. Most read MCP config once at startup.

Still stuck? Tell us what you are using and paste the error. We answer.

Other clients

Setup guides for Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI, Windsurf and the plain REST API.