B4 Index

Official5 toolsLive

by benroberts

Independent build-vs-buy index: score software categories BUILD/BUY/BRIDGE/BEWARE.

ai.benroberts/b4-index (MCP Server)

This MCP server provides an independent build-vs-buy index that scores software categories using the BUILD/BUY/BRIDGE/BEWARE framework. It exposes 5 tools for working with the categories represented by the index.

🛠️ Key Features

Independent build-vs-buy index
Category scoring across BUILD/BUY/BRIDGE/BEWARE
Provides 5 tools

🚀 Use Cases

Evaluating software categories as BUILD, BUY, BRIDGE, or BEWARE
Supporting decision-making for build-versus-buy comparisons

⚡ Developer Benefits

Consistent category scoring model
Tool-based interface to the index logic (5 tools)

⚠️ Limitations

Scope is limited to build-vs-buy scoring across the defined BUILD/BUY/BRIDGE/BEWARE categories

Captured live from the server via tools/list.

b4_browse

Search and filter the B4 Index's 1,600+ independently scored software categories. Browse by keyword, domain, quadrant, or industry. When filtering by industry, returns all vertical categories for that industry PLUS all horizontal categories (which apply to every industry).

Parameters5

query	string	optional	Search term to match against category names, vendors, domains, and rationales
domain	string	optional	Filter by domain (e.g., 'Marketing Technology', 'CRM & Sales')
quadrant	string	optional	Filter by quadrant
industry	string	optional	Filter by industry group. Returns matching vertical categories + all horizontal categories. Options: Healthcare, Financial Services, Construction & Real Estate, Education, Energy & Utilities, Government, Automotive, Agriculture, Transportation & Logistics, Media & Entertainment, Legal, Professional Services, Nonprofits & Associations, Manufacturing, Retail & Commerce, Hospitality & Food Service, Telecom
limit	integer	optional	Max results to return (default 20, max 100)

Raw schema

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 200,
      "description": "Search term to match against category names, vendors, domains, and rationales"
    },
    "domain": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 120,
      "description": "Filter by domain (e.g., 'Marketing Technology', 'CRM & Sales')"
    },
    "quadrant": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "BUILD",
        "BUY",
        "BRIDGE",
        "BEWARE"
      ],
      "description": "Filter by quadrant"
    },
    "industry": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 120,
      "description": "Filter by industry group. Returns matching vertical categories + all horizontal categories. Options: Healthcare, Financial Services, Construction & Real Estate, Education, Energy & Utilities, Government, Automotive, Agriculture, Transportation & Logistics, Media & Entertainment, Legal, Professional Services, Nonprofits & Associations, Manufacturing, Retail & Commerce, Hospitality & Food Service, Telecom"
    },
    "limit": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 100,
      "default": 20,
      "description": "Max results to return (default 20, max 100)"
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

b4_score

Score a software category using the B4 Index. Provide a known category name to get pre-computed scores, or provide raw dimension scores (1-5 each) for a custom evaluation. Returns quadrant placement, axes, urgency level, and a concise breakdown. The default result is intentionally lean — set includeEvidence: true to also get the full research trail and source URLs behind each score.

Parameters3

category	string	optional	Name of a known B4 category (e.g., 'Expense Management', 'CRM')
includeEvidence	boolean	optional	Include the full evidence trail and source URLs behind each dimension score. Off by default so the initial result stays concise; set true for deep verification.
scores	object	optional	Custom dimension scores for a tool not in the database

Raw schema

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "category": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 120,
      "description": "Name of a known B4 category (e.g., 'Expense Management', 'CRM')"
    },
    "includeEvidence": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "default": false,
      "description": "Include the full evidence trail and source URLs behind each dimension score. Off by default so the initial result stays concise; set true for deep verification."
    },
    "scores": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "specificity": {
          "type": "number",
          "minimum": 1,
          "maximum": 5,
          "description": "1-5: How company-specific is the need?"
        },
        "aiFeasibility": {
          "type": "number",
          "minimum": 1,
          "maximum": 5,
          "description": "1-5: How feasible is AI replacement?"
        },
        "vendorValue": {
          "type": "number",
          "minimum": 1,
          "maximum": 5,
          "description": "1-5: How much vendor value are you NOT using? (higher = more waste)"
        },
        "strategicControl": {
          "type": "number",
          "minimum": 1,
          "maximum": 5,
          "description": "1-5: How strategically important is owning this?"
        },
        "costTrajectory": {
          "type": "number",
          "minimum": 1,
          "maximum": 5,
          "description": "1-5: How much is build cost beating vendor cost?"
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "specificity",
        "aiFeasibility",
        "vendorValue",
        "strategicControl",
        "costTrajectory"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false,
      "description": "Custom dimension scores for a tool not in the database"
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

b4_audit

Analyze a software stack against the B4 Index. Provide a list of tool/category names, and get per-tool scoring plus a portfolio summary with quadrant distribution, BEWARE spend, and priority actions. [B4 Pro — the free tier includes b4_browse and b4_score.]

Parameters1

tools

array

required

List of software tool or category names to audit (e.g., ['Salesforce', 'Slack', 'Expense Management']). Max 100 per call.

Raw schema

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "tools": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "maxLength": 120
      },
      "minItems": 1,
      "maxItems": 100,
      "description": "List of software tool or category names to audit (e.g., ['Salesforce', 'Slack', 'Expense Management']). Max 100 per call."
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "tools"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

b4_compare

Compare build vs buy for a specific software category. Returns side-by-side analysis with the category's scores, vendor options, AI replacement approach, and action steps for each path. [B4 Pro — the free tier includes b4_browse and b4_score.]

Parameters1

b4_recommend

Get B4 Index recommendations from a natural language description of a software need or business context. Matches the description to relevant categories and returns top matches with scores, quadrants, and actionable recommendations. [B4 Pro — the free tier includes b4_browse and b4_score.]

Parameters1

description

string

required

Describe the software need, business problem, or tool you're evaluating (e.g., 'We need to automate our expense reports and receipt scanning')

Raw schema

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "description": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 1000,
      "description": "Describe the software need, business problem, or tool you're evaluating (e.g., 'We need to automate our expense reports and receipt scanning')"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "description"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Install

Tools (5)

b4_browseb4_scoreb4_auditb4_compareb4_recommend

Remote endpoint

Streamable HTTP

Hosted server - connect over the network, no local install.

url

https://b4-index.vercel.app/mcp

Add to VS Code Add to Cursor

claude_desktop_config.json

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "b4-index": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://b4-index.vercel.app/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Desktop config is stdio-only; this bridges via mcp-remote. Native remote: Settings > Connectors.

ai.benroberts/b4-index (MCP Server)

🛠️ Key Features

🚀 Use Cases

⚡ Developer Benefits

⚠️ Limitations

b4_browse

b4_score

b4_audit

b4_compare

b4_recommend

Install

Remote endpoint

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