## What is the CarsXE Plugin for Claude Code?

The CarsXE Plugin for Claude Code provides direct access to our comprehensive automotive APIs through simple commands and auto-invoked skills. Decode VINs, look up license plates, get market values, check vehicle history, recalls, liens, OBD codes, and more — all within your Claude Code environment.

**GitHub Repository**: [carsxe-claude-plugin](https://github.com/carsxe/carsxe-claude-plugin)

## Plugin Marketplaces

You can also find and install the CarsXE plugin from these Claude plugin directories:

- [Claude Plugin Hub](https://www.claudepluginhub.com/plugins/carsxe-carsxe-carsxe)
- [Build With Claude](https://buildwithclaude.com/plugins?q=CarsXE)

## Installation

### Step 1: Add the CarsXE Marketplace

<CodeGroup title="Claude Code Terminal">
```bash 
/plugin marketplace add carsxe/carsxe-claude-plugin 
```
</CodeGroup>

### Step 2: Install the Plugin

<CodeGroup title="Claude Code Terminal">
```bash 
/plugin install carsxe 
```
</CodeGroup>

## Setup

### 1. Get Your CarsXE API Key

1. Visit the [CarsXE API dashboard](/dashboard/developer)
2. Navigate to your API keys section
3. Copy your API key

### 2. Authenticate with Your API Key

Use the auth command to validate credentials and establish session access:

<CopyableText>/carsxe:auth your_api_key_here</CopyableText>


## Available Commands

| Command                                    | Description                           |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| `/carsxe:auth <API_KEY>`                   | Validate and configure API credentials |
| `/carsxe:specs <VIN>`                      | Decode a VIN — full vehicle specs     |
| `/carsxe:plate <PLATE> <COUNTRY> [STATE]`  | Look up vehicle from license plate    |
| `/carsxe:value <VIN>`                      | Get current market value              |
| `/carsxe:history <VIN>`                    | Full vehicle history report           |
| `/carsxe:images <MAKE> <MODEL> [YEAR]`     | Fetch vehicle photos                  |
| `/carsxe:recalls <VIN>`                    | Check for open safety recalls         |
| `/carsxe:intvin <VIN>`                     | Decode international (non-US) VINs    |
| `/carsxe:ocr <IMAGE_URL>`                  | Extract VIN from a photo              |
| `/carsxe:lien <VIN>`                       | Check for liens and theft records     |
| `/carsxe:plateocr <IMAGE_URL>`             | Extract license plate from a photo    |
| `/carsxe:ymm <YEAR> <MAKE> <MODEL> [TRIM]` | Look up vehicle by Year/Make/Model    |
| `/carsxe:obd <CODE>`                       | Decode an OBD diagnostic trouble code |

## Usage Examples
### Decode a VIN

<CopyableText>/carsxe:specs WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

### Look up a California Plate

<CopyableText>/carsxe:plate 7XER187 US CA</CopyableText>

### Check Market Value

<CopyableText>/carsxe:value WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

### Get Vehicle History

<CopyableText>/carsxe:history WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

### Find Vehicle Images

<CopyableText>/carsxe:images BMW X5 2019</CopyableText>

### Check Recalls

<CopyableText>/carsxe:recalls WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

### Decode an International VIN

<CopyableText>/carsxe:intvin WF0MXXGBWM8R43240</CopyableText>

### Extract VIN from a Photo

<CopyableText>/carsxe:ocr https://example.com/vin-photo.jpg</CopyableText>

### Check Liens and Theft

<CopyableText>/carsxe:lien WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

### Extract Plate from a Photo

<CopyableText>/carsxe:plateocr https://example.com/plate-photo.jpg</CopyableText>

### Look up by Year/Make/Model

<CopyableText>/carsxe:ymm 2020 Toyota Camry LE</CopyableText>

### Decode an OBD Code

<CopyableText>/carsxe:obd P0300</CopyableText>

## Skills (Auto-invoked)

Skills are automatically triggered by Claude based on the conversation context. No need to type a command — just describe what you need naturally.

| Natural Language Query                         | Triggered Skill   |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| "What are the specs of VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956?" | `vehicle-specs`   |
| "Does this car have any recalls?"              | `vehicle-recalls` |
| "What does the check engine code P0300 mean?"  | `obd-decoder`     |
| "What's the value of this vehicle?"            | `market-value`    |
| "Show me images of a 2020 Tesla Model 3"       | `vehicle-images`  |
| "Get the history report for this VIN"          | `vehicle-history` |

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

**Authentication Error**

- Verify your API key is correct
- Ensure the `CARSXE_API_KEY` environment variable is set
- Check that your API key has the necessary permissions

**Plugin Not Found**

- Verify you've added the marketplace correctly
- Try reinstalling the plugin
- Restart Claude Code

**Command Not Working**

- Check the command syntax matches the examples above
- Ensure all required parameters are provided
- Verify your API account has sufficient credits

Ready to supercharge your vehicle data workflows with CarsXE and Claude Code!