Frequently Asked Questions

ToolScout is an AI-powered developer tool discovery platform. Describe what you're building — ToolScout's AI asks a couple of quick questions, then recommends the right tools for your stack, ranked by real usage data.

Trust Score is a weighted composite of five signals pulled from public data: npm/pip weekly downloads (35%), GitHub commits in the last 90 days (25%), GitHub stars (20%), Stack Overflow question volume (12%), and community sentiment (8%). Scores are recalculated weekly.

The Build My Stack chat uses Claude (Anthropic's AI) as the backend. It understands your project description, asks targeted follow-up questions about your language preference, scale, and budget, then recommends tools from ToolScout's curated catalog — each with a reason specific to your project.

Yes — ToolScout is completely free. Browse tools, search, compare, use the AI stack builder, and download starter project templates at no cost.

After the AI recommends your stack, click 'View full stack' to go to the stack results page. Scroll to the 'Kickstart Your Project' section and click 'Download Starter Project'. Claude generates a real .zip with package.json, .env.example, integration files, and a README — ready to open in VS Code or Claude Code.

The cost calculator uses publicly available pricing from each tool's official pricing page as of the last update. They are estimates only — actual costs depend on your specific usage patterns, negotiated rates, and plan details. Always verify with the tool's official pricing page before budgeting.

Trust Scores are recalculated weekly using fresh npm download data, GitHub commit activity, and Stack Overflow question counts. Pricing data is reviewed monthly.

Yes! Email hello@toolscout.dev with the subject 'Tool Suggestion' and include the tool name and why it belongs in the catalog. We review every submission.

ToolScout currently focuses on the most widely adopted tools across 15 categories. We're actively expanding — submission options will be available soon.

Signed-in users can post short notes (10–500 characters) on any tool page sharing real-world experience — tips, caveats, or use case advice. Notes are ranked by upvotes. Sign in with GitHub or Google to participate.