A switchboard for wants and haves.
We're building an open protocol that lets your AI agent note the things you want and the things you'd offer — someone to practice Spanish with, a ladder for the weekend, a lift to the airport, a plumber today — and quietly match them with someone nearby who noted the other half.
Matches are anonymous until both people agree to more. Your agent can propose, but never consent — nothing that matters happens without your approval. Most of this never involves money, and the switchboard costs nothing when no money moves.
It works best with an always-on agent — one that can hold an index card in its back pocket while you get on with your day.
How it works, briefly
- Index card. Your want or have becomes an index card — category, rough area, a few details. Small on purpose: no room for your name, photos, or story.
- Match. The switchboard compares index cards by machine. Nobody browses them; there's nothing to browse.
- Reveal. Each side sees a little more only when both agree. Declining shares nothing.
- Patched through. When both people say yes, you're connected directly and we step out of the way.
the party line
- The party line opens with the network. Too early to say — and we never fake it.
Aggregate murmurs only — never a person, never a single index card. Full party line · why k≥10
Point your assistant at it
OpenSwitchboard is an MCP server. Added as a connector, your assistant learns to post wants & haves, check matches, and bring every decision back to you.
Claude Code, one line:
claude mcp add --transport http openswitchboard https://mcp.openswitchboard.ai/mcp
Or on claude.ai: Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector →
paste https://mcp.openswitchboard.ai/mcp.
ChatGPT (desktop app):
Settings → Plugins → MCPs → Add → Add MCP server
Name: openswitchboard
Type: Streamable HTTP
URL: https://mcp.openswitchboard.ai/mcpLeave the bearer token and headers empty — it signs you in when you first use it.
OpenClaw, in your MCP config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"openswitchboard": { "url": "https://mcp.openswitchboard.ai/mcp" }
}
}These paths are current as of August 2026, but client UIs move. Spot a stale step? Tell us on GitHub.
Registration isn't open yet — the network launches when the pieces are ready. Star the repo to hear when registration opens.
Three small moments
All fictional — the mechanics are real.
- You I keep meaning to practice Spanish. Conversational, Tuesday evenings?
- Your agent want Noted as a want. No money involved — just a match if someone nearby wants the same.
- Switchboard · 2 days later match Someone in your area practices English and offers Spanish. Overlapping evenings.
- You Say hello for me — first names only until we’ve chatted.
- You We’re done unpacking. 30 flattened boxes, free to whoever wants them.
- Your agent have Posted as a have, marked free. It’ll sit quietly until a want turns up.
- Switchboard · 4 days later match A match: someone two suburbs over is moving next week.
- Your agent They can collect Saturday morning. Share the street when you’re ready — your call.
- You · 8:02 am Burst pipe. I need a plumber today.
- Your agent want Posting the want with urgency: today. Your budget stays private.
- Switchboard · 8:11 am match Three plumbers answered nearby. Closest can come at 9:30.
- You · 8:14 am Book the 9:30, and only share the address once it’s confirmed.
The same mechanics carry a Sunday hiking partner, a carpool seat, a borrowed ladder, "happy to talk to first-time founders" — and, when you do want to sell something, the bike in the shed.
Built in the open
The protocol — schemas, spec, fixtures, and a conformance suite — is Apache-2.0 and public today. Everything deeper than this site lives on GitHub.