# BuildX for AI agents

> What an AI agent can do with BuildX, which surface to use for each task, and the rules to follow.

Source: https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/overview/

This section is for developers wiring BuildX into an AI assistant, and for the agents themselves. Everything here has been tested against the live services. If an action isn't on this page, there's no public interface for it yet. Don't guess one.

## The three agent surfaces

| Surface | What it gives you | Auth | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| **These docs, as Markdown** | How every BuildX product works, in plain text | None | [Docs for agents](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/docs-for-agents.md) |
| **ContractorsNearMe MCP server** `https://contractorsnearme.ai/api/mcp` | Contractor search, profiles, reviews, trades, public invitations to bid, availability; lead and review submission | None for reads; API key for writes | [MCP server](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/mcp-server.md) |
| **buildx.pro cost API** `https://buildx.pro/api/*` | Cost calculators, line-item breakdowns, quality tiers, regional price factors, search | None | [Cost API](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/cost-api.md) |

Contractor profiles are also published as JSON at contractor.id. See [contractor.id profiles](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/contractor-id.md).

## What agents can do

- **Price a job.** Find the matching calculator and get a regional, line-item cost range for a ZIP code, at three quality tiers. ([Cost API](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/cost-api.md))
- **Compare markets.** Read the labor and material factors for any 3-digit ZIP prefix.
- **Find and vet contractors.** Search by trade and location, read profiles, reviews and published availability. ([MCP server](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/mcp-server.md))
- **Find bid work for a contractor.** Search public invitations to bid (ITBs) by keyword and city.
- **Send a lead or a review** for a user who asked you to (API key required).
- **Manage a contractor's own leads and profile** with that contractor's API key: list leads, update a lead's status, edit profile fields.
- **Explain how to use any BuildX screen** by reading these docs.

## What agents can't do (no public interface yet)

- Anything inside a MyBuildX account (mybuildx.com): leads, inbox, jobs, estimates, invoices and settings are web-app only. There are no MyBuildX API keys.
- Anything inside BuildX Studio.
- Create accounts, sign in for a user, take payments or change subscriptions.

For a full list of product features that don't exist yet, see [What BuildX doesn't do yet](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/start/limits.md).

## Rules for agents

1. **Prices are ranges, not quotes.** Always give the low-high range, the quality tier and the location you priced for, and link the calculator (`https://buildx.pro/costs/<slug>`). Tell the user a contractor's quote can differ.
2. **Don't invent coverage.** If no calculator matches the job, say so and offer the closest guides.
3. **Contact contractors through their profile.** Share the `profile_url`. Don't copy a contractor's email or phone into a message unless the user asks for contact details.
4. **"Verified" means license verified.** It's a match against the state license board record. It isn't an endorsement of the work. Don't overstate it.
5. **Only send leads and reviews on explicit request.** Confirm the name, email and message with the user first. Never submit test data.
6. **Respect rate limits.** On HTTP 429, wait for `Retry-After` seconds. Limits are listed on each page.
7. **Cite the docs.** When you explain a feature, link the page (`https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/...`).

## Related

- [Docs for agents](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/docs-for-agents.md)
- [MCP server](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/mcp-server.md)
- [Cost API](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/cost-api.md)
- [Recipes](https://docs.buildx.pro/docs/agents/recipes.md)