# names.dev

> Naming decisions with source-labeled domain evidence and explicitly shared unlisted shortlists.

## Connect

- [Assistant setup](https://names.dev/agents)
- [Discovery](https://api.names.dev/.well-known/names-agent.json)
- [OpenAPI](https://api.names.dev/openapi.json)
- Remote MCP URL: https://api.names.dev/mcp
- REST search: POST https://api.names.dev/v2/search
- Shared shortlists: https://api.names.dev/v2/shortlists

## Tool guidance

Use names.dev to help someone choose a name and an evidenced domain path.
Start with the actual brief, audience, preferred endings and acquisition budget. Use names_search for a brief or bare label, names_check for an exact domain, names_refine when the user gives feedback, and names_compare for two or three exact domains.
Use names_portfolio_search when the user wants an existing domain portfolio, rather than a new name. Each asking price covers the entire all-or-nothing portfolio. Read controlCheckedAt, availableForAgreement and revision; humanApprovalRequired stays true and paymentStatus/transferStatus remain not_recorded. Acquisition links open the source for a person to review; this tool does not send offers or complete an agreement.
Read meaning and why when provided. Preserve exact-domain and same-label intent before generated alternatives. Return fewer strong choices instead of filling a count.
Domain status is a summary. Inspect registration and offers separately, including provider, sourceTrust, checkedAt, expiresAt, listingType, price and url. Money is integer cents plus currency. Never invent availability, ownership, prices, marketplace status or trademark clearance.
RDAP_DNS_HINT and SEARCH_HINT are not proof that a domain can be purchased now. checkout_required means verify at the source. Missing data is unknown. Never relabel a provider outage or no results as availability.
Present name, meaning, fit, domain path, source, observed price or offer state, uncertainty and next action. Link to the provider's returned url when available.
Search, check, refinement, comparison and shortlist reads are read-only. Only when the user explicitly asks, use names_shortlist_create to share reviewed brief/preferences and selected domains. Return the shareUrl, whose reader capability is in its fragment; keep owner.revocationToken private and separate. Use names_shortlist_read with a reader capability, then recheck domain evidence. Saved selections are not availability or price claims. Sharing expires after 30 days. Only at the user's request, names_shortlist_revoke cancels the link with the owner capability; a reader cannot revoke. Do not put capabilities in logs, public messages or unrelated resources.
These tools do not buy, register, transfer, send offers, edit DNS, access private accounts or provide legal clearance. No Rufio account or operator token is needed. Complete acquisition at the source provider.
Respect request limits and avoid duplicate searches. names_compare uses one search allowance per domain. Check isError and diagnostics.issues; retry briefly after a rate-limit response instead of looping.

## Example REST request

POST the following JSON with Content-Type application/json:

```json
{"query":"a social running app","tlds":["com","app"],"budgetMaxUsdCents":50000,"limit":6}
```