Claude Code is Anthropic's AI agent that runs in your terminal. It is built for software work, but it is also useful for product research. It can read and write files in a folder, run several steps in a row and connect to data services through MCP. That suits sellers who want research saved as notes and spreadsheets rather than lost in a chat history.
This guide shows how to connect Claude Code to Ecomtoro's MCP server, run your first research and validation, test margins and keep a research folder you can come back to.
Claude app or Claude Code?
| Feature | Claude app (web, desktop, mobile) | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Browser, desktop app, phone | A terminal on your computer |
| Best for | Conversations and quick questions | Multi-step tasks and working with files |
| Where results go | The chat | Files in your project folder, when you ask |
| MCP setup | Add a custom connector in settings | One command in the terminal |
| Learning curve | Low | A little setup, then plain English |
If you only want to ask questions, the Claude app with Ecomtoro connected is simpler. Our explainer on what MCP is and the setup page cover that route. If you want a research folder that grows over time, read on.
What you need
- Claude Code installed. Follow Anthropic's installation guide for your operating system. Access depends on your Claude plan or API account.
- An Ecomtoro account. MCP access is included on every plan, including Free. Research and validation use credits. Profit calculations and the product, watchlist and alert tools are free.
- A folder for your research, for example one called product-research. Start Claude Code from inside it.
Step 1: Add the Ecomtoro server
Open a terminal and run:
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user ecomtoro https://ecomtoro.com/api/mcp
What the parts mean:
- --transport http connects to a remote server over the web.
- --scope user makes the server available in all your projects, not just the current folder.
- ecomtoro is the name Claude Code uses for the server.
- The URL is the address of Ecomtoro's MCP server.
Step 2: Sign in
Start Claude Code in your research folder by typing claude and pressing Enter. Then:
- Type /mcp and press Enter.
- Pick ecomtoro from the list.
- Choose Authenticate. Your browser opens the Ecomtoro sign-in.
- Sign in and choose what Claude Code may do. You can leave out credit spending if you want a read-only connection.
Command-line tools can also use a personal token instead. You create one in Ecomtoro under Settings, Claude & ChatGPT apps. The MCP page shows the exact command.
Step 3: Check the tools
Ask:
Which Ecomtoro tools do you have, and which ones spend credits?
You should see these:
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| research_products | Finds and ranks 3 to 10 product opportunities for a category in the US, UK or Germany | Credits |
| validate_product | Builds a dossier for one product: demand, trend, competition, margin and risk scores with sources | Credits |
| get_run | Checks the progress and result of a research or validation run | Free |
| calculate_profit | Profit per unit, net margin, ROI and break-even ROAS for Amazon FBA, Shopify or TikTok Shop | Free |
| save_product | Saves a product as a dossier | Free |
| list_products | Lists your saved products | Free |
| get_product_dossier | Shows everything saved about one product | Free |
| compare_products | Compares 2 to 5 saved products side by side | Free |
| add_to_watchlist | Tracks a saved product and raises alerts on changes | Free |
| schedule_research | Re-checks a keyword or niche on a schedule | Free |
| list_watchlist | Lists what you track | Free |
| get_alerts | Shows recent price, demand, trend and competition alerts | Free |
Before Claude uses a tool that spends credits, it tells you the cost and asks you to confirm.
Step 4: Run your first research
Give Claude Code your constraints in one message:
Research kitchen storage products for Amazon US. Selling price between $15 and $35, no fragile or electrical items, first order budget around $3,000. Rank the results and explain the scores.
Claude Code calls research_products, tells you how many credits it costs and waits for your OK. The research runs in the background. Claude checks on it with get_run and summarises the ranked results when they are ready.
Each number in the result has a source. So you can ask "Where does the demand figure for the second product come from?" and get an answer you can check yourself.
Step 5: Validate the best candidate
Pick one product and add your costs:
Validate the second product. My supplier quote is $4.20 per unit plus $1.10 shipping per unit to the US. Compare it with its closest competitors.
This uses validate_product, which also spends credits. The dossier scores demand, trend, competition, margin and risk, compares the product with its closest competitors and attaches sources. Our guide on how to validate a product idea explains what each part should tell you.
Step 6: Test prices and markets
Profit calculations are free, so try several scenarios:
Using the same costs, calculate profit, margin and break-even ROAS at $24.99, $27.99 and $29.99 on Amazon FBA US. Then do the same for Shopify UK, including VAT.
If an input is missing, such as a duty rate, the calculate_profit tool lists it instead of guessing. For the formulas behind the numbers, read the Amazon FBA profit guide and our break-even ROAS calculation.
Step 7: Save, compare and track
Save the two best products, compare them side by side, and add the better one to my watchlist.
This uses save_product, compare_products and add_to_watchlist, all free. Tracked products are re-checked on a schedule, weekly or daily on Pro, and changes raise alerts. Ask "Any new alerts?" at any time and Claude runs get_alerts. Tracking counts toward your plan's tracked-item limit.
Make it repeatable
The folder is what makes Claude Code different. Two habits help.
Write results to files. At the end of a session, ask:
Write a summary of today's research to a file called research-log.md: products checked, scores, profit at each price, sources and my next steps. Add new entries at the top.
Add a CLAUDE.md file. Claude Code reads a file called CLAUDE.md in your project folder at the start of each session. Put your seller profile there so you don't have to repeat it:
Seller profile
Markets: Amazon US and Amazon Germany
First order budget: around $3,000
Avoid: fragile, electrical, oversized and regulated products
Always ask before spending Ecomtoro credits.
Always show the source for every number.
Tips and limits
- Read before you approve. By default, Claude Code asks for permission before it runs tools and commands. Check what each request does.
- Separate data from opinion. Numbers from Ecomtoro come with sources. Claude's comments on them are analysis, not data.
- Watch your credits. Ask Claude to list the credit cost of a plan before it starts several research runs.
- Keep the final call. The tools collect evidence. Whether to order stock is your decision.
Get started
Ecomtoro gives Claude Code measured product data: Amazon sales-rank and price history, Google Trends, Google Shopping and search volume. You also get validation dossiers and exact unit economics for Amazon FBA, Shopify and TikTok Shop in the US, UK and Germany, including VAT, duty and fees. Setup for Claude Code and other clients is on the MCP page, and you can create a free account on Ecomtoro.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a developer to use Claude Code for product research?
No. You need to open a terminal and paste one command to connect Ecomtoro. After that, you talk to Claude Code in plain English.
Does using Ecomtoro through Claude Code cost extra?
No. MCP access is included on every Ecomtoro plan, including Free, with the same credits and limits as the app. Claude Code itself needs access through your Claude plan or API account.
Why does Claude Code ask before running research?
Research and validation spend Ecomtoro credits, so the assistant confirms the cost with you first. Profit calculations and the product, watchlist and alert tools are free.
Can I use the same setup in Cursor or Codex?
Yes. Ecomtoro's MCP server works with clients that support MCP over HTTP, including Cursor, Codex, VS Code and Gemini CLI. The MCP setup page has the configuration for each one.
