// MCP TOKEN COST

The Neuron MCP server costs 30,328 tokens before the first call.

Every request your agent makes carries every tool definition this server exposes — context your code, documents and conversation can't use, mostly for tools the agent never calls. You don't need them all in the window, and you don't have to pay for them.

QUICK ANSWER The Neuron MCP server's 231 tool definitions consume 30,328 tokens — 15% of a 200k context window, and 14× the median MCP server (2,142 tokens). A scoped grant exposing only the tools you use cuts that roughly in proportion.

MEASURED FROM SCHEMAS tiktoken o200k_base · rank #49 of 5,402 measured servers · refreshed every build Method →

// CONTEXT WINDOW SHARE

What that costs before your agent starts working.

Tool definitions are overhead: they occupy context on every request and compete with your code, documents and conversation history for the same window.

200K WINDOW 15%

1M WINDOW 3.0%

Corpus context: Neuron ranks #49 of 5,402 measured MCP servers by definition cost. The median is 2,142 tokens, p90 is 11,749, and the heaviest (Ainumbers Mcp Apps) is 161,750 — 81% of a 200k window on its own. New to this? See MCP token cost and context window in the glossary.

Token cost is one axis. See the risk picture across your whole stack →

// PER-TOOL BREAKDOWN

Where the 30,328 tokens go.

Each row is one tool definition as a tools/list entry — name, description and input schema — counted with o200k_base. Average: 131 tokens per tool.

Tool	Category	Tokens	% of server
neuron_create_broadcast	Write	451	1.5%
neuron_create_tool	Write	391	1.3%
neuron_update_bot	Write	381	1.3%
neuron_update_ad_request	Write	377	1.2%
neuron_create_bot	Write	370	1.2%
neuron_create_blog_post	Write	317	1.0%
neuron_update_tool	Write	317	1.0%
neuron_ingest_knowledge	Write	313	1.0%
neuron_create_ad_request	Financial	308	1.0%
neuron_submit_to_list_pool	Write	299	1.0%
neuron_create_campaign	Write	270	0.9%
neuron_create_outbound_webhook	Write	259	0.9%
neuron_bot_api_send	Write	246	0.8%
neuron_send_whatsapp	Write	237	0.8%
neuron_update_blog_post	Write	235	0.8%
neuron_update_campaign	Write	231	0.8%
neuron_create_contact_list	Write	228	0.8%
neuron_browse_pool	Read	222	0.7%
neuron_update_contact_list	Write	217	0.7%
neuron_create_channel	Write	216	0.7%
neuron_publish_to_pool	Write	216	0.7%
neuron_compose_message	Write	211	0.7%
neuron_send_poll	Write	210	0.7%
neuron_merge_contact_lists	Write	209	0.7%
neuron_update_kb_entry	Write	207	0.7%
neuron_update_outbound_webhook	Write	207	0.7%
neuron_import_contacts	Write	205	0.7%
neuron_create_kb_entry	Write	204	0.7%
neuron_update_privacy_setting	Write	204	0.7%
neuron_create_webhook	Write	203	0.7%
neuron_update_group_members	Write	202	0.7%
neuron_list_blog_posts	Read	201	0.7%
neuron_update_contact	Write	200	0.7%
neuron_add_to_contact_list	Write	197	0.6%
neuron_post_to_newsletter	Destructive	186	0.6%
neuron_bulk_toggle_builtin_tools	Write	186	0.6%
neuron_create_contact	Write	186	0.6%
neuron_toggle_builtin_tool	Write	186	0.6%
neuron_invite_member	Write	185	0.6%
neuron_update_whatsapp_credentials	Write	179	0.6%
neuron_list_audit_logs	Read	178	0.6%
neuron_bot_api_chat	Execute	176	0.6%
neuron_browse_list_pool	Read	175	0.6%
neuron_create_api_key	Write	175	0.6%
neuron_save_bank_account	Financial	173	0.6%
neuron_send_reaction	Write	172	0.6%
neuron_upload_media	Write	170	0.6%
neuron_update_channel	Write	169	0.6%
neuron_bot_api_list_conversations	Read	168	0.6%
neuron_handle_join_requests	Write	167	0.6%
neuron_bot_api_get_messages	Read	166	0.5%
neuron_list_kb_entries	Read	166	0.5%
neuron_send_contact_card	Write	166	0.5%
neuron_update_broadcast	Write	165	0.5%
neuron_update_group_settings	Write	164	0.5%
neuron_update_pool_item	Write	164	0.5%
neuron_get_broadcast_recipients	Read	161	0.5%
neuron_send_location	Write	160	0.5%
neuron_get_contact_list_members	Read	157	0.5%
neuron_update_webhook	Write	157	0.5%
neuron_list_conversations	Read	155	0.5%
neuron_register	Write	155	0.5%
neuron_list_contact_lists	Read	153	0.5%
neuron_send_message	Write	152	0.5%
neuron_semantic_search_contacts	Read	151	0.5%
neuron_list_contacts	Read	148	0.5%
neuron_add_tool_secret	Write	146	0.5%
neuron_set_group_join_approval	Write	144	0.5%
neuron_attach_knowledge_base	Write	142	0.5%
neuron_forward_message	Write	142	0.5%
neuron_list_broadcasts	Read	139	0.5%
neuron_list_campaigns	Read	139	0.5%
neuron_install_from_pool	Write	139	0.5%
neuron_upload_document	Write	139	0.5%
neuron_list_ad_requests	Read	135	0.4%
neuron_list_newsletters	Read	135	0.4%
neuron_create_newsletter	Write	135	0.4%
neuron_fund_wallet	Financial	133	0.4%
neuron_set_default_channel	Write	133	0.4%
neuron_rewrite_text	Write	132	0.4%
neuron_update_group_subject	Write	132	0.4%
neuron_update_member	Write	132	0.4%
neuron_request_pair_code	Execute	131	0.4%
neuron_set_presence	Execute	131	0.4%
neuron_update_group_description	Write	131	0.4%
neuron_get_business_profile	Read	130	0.4%
neuron_get_channel_events	Read	130	0.4%
neuron_get_outbound_webhook_logs	Read	130	0.4%
neuron_switch_instance	Write	130	0.4%
neuron_update_knowledge_base	Write	130	0.4%
neuron_wallet_transactions	Read	128	0.4%
neuron_audio_contact	Write	127	0.4%
neuron_edit_message	Write	127	0.4%
neuron_get_webhook_logs	Read	126	0.4%
neuron_list_builtin_tools	Read	125	0.4%
neuron_remove_from_contact_list	Write	124	0.4%
neuron_block_contact	Write	124	0.4%
neuron_mark_as_read	Write	124	0.4%
neuron_send_campaign_message	Write	124	0.4%
neuron_send_sticker	Write	123	0.4%
neuron_get_messages	Read	122	0.4%
neuron_list_reflections	Read	122	0.4%
neuron_revoke_api_key	Destructive	120	0.4%
neuron_verify_bank_account	Financial	120	0.4%
neuron_remove_tool_secret	Destructive	119	0.4%
neuron_get_group_participants	Read	119	0.4%
neuron_get_group_invite_link	Read	117	0.4%
neuron_search_knowledge	Read	116	0.4%
neuron_leave_group	Destructive	115	0.4%
neuron_revoke_group_invite	Destructive	115	0.4%
neuron_add_bot_channel	Write	115	0.4%
neuron_update_newsletter	Write	115	0.4%
neuron_create_knowledge_base	Write	114	0.4%
neuron_request_payout	Financial	113	0.4%
neuron_remove_bot_channel	Destructive	112	0.4%
neuron_revoke_invitation	Destructive	112	0.4%
neuron_detach_knowledge_base	Write	111	0.4%
neuron_remove_member	Destructive	111	0.4%
neuron_test_tool	Execute	111	0.4%
neuron_join_campaign	Write	111	0.4%
neuron_my_participations	Read	110	0.4%
neuron_fund_ad_request	Financial	110	0.4%
neuron_assign_bot_to_channel	Write	109	0.4%
neuron_campaign_marketplace	Read	108	0.4%
neuron_list_payouts	Read	108	0.4%
neuron_update_profile_picture	Write	104	0.3%
neuron_delete_message	Destructive	103	0.3%
neuron_submit_ad_request	Write	102	0.3%
neuron_update_organization	Write	102	0.3%
neuron_list_whatsapp_contacts	Read	101	0.3%
neuron_start_channel_session	Execute	100	0.3%
neuron_delete_contact_list	Destructive	99	0.3%
neuron_refresh_contact_list	Execute	99	0.3%
neuron_pull_pool_update	Write	98	0.3%
neuron_delete_kb_entry	Destructive	97	0.3%
neuron_stop_ad_request	Destructive	97	0.3%
neuron_update_profile_name	Write	97	0.3%
neuron_update_profile_status	Write	97	0.3%
neuron_sync_newsletters	Write	96	0.3%
neuron_list_api_keys	Read	95	0.3%
neuron_checkout	Financial	94	0.3%
neuron_resume_ad_request	Write	94	0.3%
neuron_takeover_conversation	Execute	94	0.3%
neuron_get_ad_request_analytics	Read	93	0.3%
neuron_list_outbound_webhooks	Read	93	0.3%
neuron_unblock_contact	Write	93	0.3%
neuron_unassign_bot_from_channel	Write	92	0.3%
neuron_get_privacy_settings	Read	92	0.3%
neuron_delete_tool	Destructive	91	0.3%
neuron_send_broadcast	Destructive	91	0.3%
neuron_stop_channel_session	Execute	91	0.3%
neuron_pause_ad_request	Write	91	0.3%
neuron_delete_ad_request	Destructive	90	0.3%
neuron_stop_campaign	Destructive	90	0.3%
neuron_unpublish_from_pool	Destructive	90	0.3%
neuron_get_channel_qr	Read	90	0.3%
neuron_get_pool_item	Read	90	0.3%
neuron_refresh_newsletter	Read	90	0.3%
neuron_search_contacts	Read	90	0.3%
neuron_toggle_featured	Write	90	0.3%
neuron_delete_outbound_webhook	Destructive	89	0.3%
neuron_get_bot_analytics	Read	89	0.3%
neuron_release_conversation	Write	89	0.3%
neuron_sync_reflections	Write	89	0.3%
neuron_delete_webhook	Destructive	88	0.3%
neuron_get_blog_post	Read	88	0.3%
neuron_get_eligible_contacts	Read	88	0.3%
neuron_switch_org	Write	88	0.3%
neuron_delete_campaign	Destructive	87	0.3%
neuron_delete_newsletter	Destructive	87	0.3%
neuron_get_channel_status	Read	87	0.3%
neuron_get_contact_list	Read	87	0.3%
neuron_list_webhooks	Read	87	0.3%
neuron_fund_campaign	Financial	87	0.3%
neuron_pause_bot	Execute	87	0.3%
neuron_submit_campaign	Write	87	0.3%
neuron_get_ad_request	Read	86	0.3%
neuron_list_tools	Read	86	0.3%
neuron_close_conversation	Write	86	0.3%
neuron_publish_blog_post	Write	86	0.3%
neuron_list_invitations	Read	85	0.3%
neuron_approve_reflection	Write	85	0.3%
neuron_delete_channel	Destructive	84	0.3%
neuron_delete_contact	Destructive	84	0.3%
neuron_bot_api_get_bot	Read	84	0.3%
neuron_campaign_participants	Read	84	0.3%
neuron_get_broadcast	Read	84	0.3%
neuron_get_organization	Read	84	0.3%
neuron_pause_campaign	Write	84	0.3%
neuron_refresh_token	Write	84	0.3%
neuron_reject_reflection	Write	84	0.3%
neuron_delete_blog_post	Destructive	83	0.3%
neuron_verify_wallet_funding	Financial	83	0.3%
neuron_delete_bot	Destructive	82	0.3%
neuron_delete_broadcast	Destructive	82	0.3%
neuron_sync_knowledge	Execute	82	0.3%
neuron_get_channel	Read	82	0.3%
neuron_get_newsletter	Read	82	0.3%
neuron_list_bot_channels	Read	82	0.3%
neuron_list_bot_knowledge_bases	Read	82	0.3%
neuron_find_contact_lists_for_contact	Read	81	0.3%
neuron_get_blocklist	Read	81	0.3%
neuron_get_campaign	Read	81	0.3%
neuron_login	Write	81	0.3%
neuron_get_conversation	Read	80	0.3%
neuron_list_members	Read	80	0.3%
neuron_delete_knowledge_base	Destructive	79	0.3%
neuron_get_bot	Read	79	0.3%
neuron_get_contact	Read	79	0.3%
neuron_list_channel_groups	Read	79	0.3%
neuron_remove_profile_picture	Destructive	78	0.3%
neuron_list_kb_bots	Read	77	0.3%
neuron_resume_bot	Execute	77	0.3%
neuron_resume_campaign	Execute	75	0.2%
neuron_get_knowledge_base	Read	74	0.2%
neuron_logout	Destructive	72	0.2%
neuron_sync_whatsapp_contacts	Write	65	0.2%
neuron_whoami	Read	63	0.2%
neuron_populate_contacts	Write	62	0.2%
neuron_list_channels	Read	59	0.2%
neuron_cancel_subscription	Financial	58	0.2%
neuron_get_billing	Read	58	0.2%
neuron_get_profile	Read	58	0.2%
neuron_list_bots	Read	57	0.2%
neuron_list_organizations	Read	57	0.2%
neuron_get_bank_account	Read	56	0.2%
neuron_wallet_balance	Read	56	0.2%
neuron_list_installed	Read	55	0.2%
neuron_list_published	Read	55	0.2%
neuron_list_knowledge_bases	Read	54	0.2%
neuron_export_contacts	Read	53	0.2%

// CUT THE COST

Your agent uses a handful of these tools. It pays for all 231.

You don't need all 231 of those definitions in the window. PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway that sits in front of Neuron: only the tools you grant are exposed to the agent, the rest never load. A smaller window means a sharper agent — less noise when it picks a tool — and every request costs less:

Grant scope	Definition cost	Reduction
All 231 tools (no gateway)	30,328 tokens	—
3 granted tools	~394 tokens	−99%
5 granted tools	~656 tokens	−98%
10 granted tools	~1,313 tokens	−96%

The risk dividend: 39 of these 231 tools are critical-risk (destructive or financial) and cost 4,112 tokens (14% of the definition load). Block them — the recommended starter policy — and you reclaim that context before tuning anything else.

Create a free account and register Neuron — nothing to install.
Grant only the tools you use — ungranted definitions never enter the context window.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CUT NEURON TOKEN COST →

Instant setup, no code required.

Model your own stack in the token-cost calculator, or see the Neuron policy for what a sensible grant looks like.

//FAQ

Neuron token-cost questions.

How many tokens does the Neuron MCP server use?+

Its 231 tool definitions total 30,328 tokens — 15% of a 200k context window — measured with tiktoken o200k_base over the serialised tools/list payload. Exact counts vary slightly by client and model.

Why does Neuron consume tokens before I send a message?+

MCP clients load every connected server's tool definitions — name, description, and input schema — into the model's context so it knows what it can call. That payload is charged against your context window on every request, whether or not a tool is used.

How do I reduce Neuron's token usage?+

Expose fewer tools. A PolicyLayer grant scopes Neuron to only the tools you allow — ungranted definitions are filtered out of the tool list, so they never enter the context window. A grant of 3 typical tools costs roughly 394 tokens, a 99% reduction.

Does deferred tool loading fix this?+

Partially, in some clients. Claude Code defers MCP tool schemas behind a tool-search step by default, and VS Code has experimental grouping — but you still pay tokens per search and reload, and Cursor, Windsurf and Gemini CLI load definitions upfront. Reducing the exposed tool set cuts the cost in every client.

// METHOD & REVIEW

How these numbers were measured.

01

Serialisation

Each tool is serialised as a tools/list entry — name, description, input schema — from the schemas in the PolicyLayer scan database. Clients differ slightly in framing, so treat counts as close estimates.

02

Tokeniser

tiktoken o200k_base (GPT-4o/o-series). Anthropic's current tokeniser isn't published, so Claude's exact counts will differ; for English text and JSON schemas the totals are close enough to treat these as estimates.

03

Deferred loading

Some clients now defer schema loading (Claude Code's tool search; VS Code experimental grouping). You still pay per search and reload — and Cursor, Windsurf and Gemini CLI load everything upfront.

Computed 23-07-2026 from the PolicyLayer scan database over all 231 catalogued Neuron tools. Counts refresh with every site build.