Use the API from an AI assistant

If you use an AI assistant such as Claude or Cursor, you can connect it to TenderSignal and ask for tenders in plain English, for example "live cleaning tenders from NHS buyers in the North West closing this month". The assistant searches TenderSignal for you and answers with real records.

This works through our MCP server. MCP is a standard way for AI assistants to use outside tools.

Before you start

You need a TenderSignal API key. Any account with a verified email address can create one on the developers page. Without an API plan, the key runs on the free demo allowance. See "Get an API key" for the steps.

Your assistant uses the same key, the same plan and the same record allowance as the API. A record your assistant asks for counts once in the period, exactly as it would over the API.

Connect Claude Code

Keep your key in an environment variable called TENDERSIGNAL_API_KEY, then run the command shown on the developers page under Use it from your AI assistant. It adds TenderSignal as a server called tendersignal. Start a new session and ask a question about tenders.

Connect Cursor or Claude Desktop

Copy the configuration for your assistant from the developers page, replace ts_live_your_key with your key, save the file and restart the assistant. Treat that file like a password: anyone who can read it can use your allowance.

What your assistant can do

• Search live, closed or all tenders, including tenders that are not on the national portals.
• Open one tender by its id.
• Search contract awards.
• Find buyers and open one buyer (API Starter and API Pro).
• List contracts expected to be re-tendered (API Pro).
• Check your plan and remaining allowance, which is free.

If your plan does not include something, or your allowance runs out, the assistant tells you and gives you the link to choose a plan.

Keep your key safe

If you think someone else has your key, revoke it on the developers page and create a new one, then update your assistant's settings.