# //beforeyouship — LLM cost modeling from your editor

> Use this tool when you need to estimate the realistic monthly cost of a Large Language Model (LLM) application before building it, taking into account factors like retries, prompt caching, and infrastructure overhead. It provides inputs such as usage levels and architecture patterns, and outputs detailed cost models, including naive, realistic, and worst-case scenarios. Ideal for developers and businesses looking to plan and budget for LLM integration, it offers a range of tools, including cost estimation, model pricing, and architecture pattern listing.

Canonical page: https://skillsregistry.net/skills/beforeyouship-cost-model  
JSON: https://api.skillsregistry.net/v1/skills/beforeyouship-cost-model

## Description

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](https://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

## Trust

- **Trust score (0–1):** 0.30
- **Verification tier:** unverified
- **Last scanned:** 2026-08-30

## Facts

- **Version:** 1.0.0
- **Skill type:** atomic
- **Execution layer:** mcp-remote
- **Runtime environment:** api
- **Category:** devops-ci
- **Updated:** 2026-08-30

## Source

- **Source listing:** [Smithery](https://smithery.ai/server/beforeyouship/cost-model)

## Use it

Resolve this record through the SkillsRegistry MCP server (no auth, read-only):

```
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user skillsregistry https://api.skillsregistry.net/mcp
```

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_skill",
    "arguments": {
      "slug": "beforeyouship-cost-model"
    }
  }
}
```

REST: `GET https://api.skillsregistry.net/v1/skills/beforeyouship-cost-model` · pull for local use: `GET https://api.skillsregistry.net/v1/skills/beforeyouship-cost-model/pull`

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SkillsRegistry indexes agent skills from public registries and GitHub. Skills we have analysed are scanned with Circle-IR and scored on six dimensions; each listing states its scan coverage. More: https://skillsregistry.net/llms.txt