---
name: hashgraph-online-vin-ocr
description: "Extract a VIN from a photo or image URL using the CarsXE VIN OCR API. Use this when a user shares an image of a vehicle or VIN plate and wants to identify the VIN."
license: "Apache-2.0"
metadata:
  decimalai-skill-id: "09485540-b375-42b7-9cf2-b7ff3f444f28"
  decimalai-version-id: "63300a8f-c2c4-487f-ab57-ceccd6321e8d"
  decimalai-version: "1"
  decimalai-body-sha256: "393a0699bd7f1a5a00ab504c10df8600629c615cb3e62121d6043af716937d3a"
  decimalai-name: "hashgraph-online/vin-ocr"
  decimalai-format: "1"
  decimalai-invocation: "model"
  decimalai-category: "industry"
  decimalai-source: "https://app.decimal.ai/s/hashgraph-online-vin-ocr@1/SKILL.md"
---
When the user shares an image containing a VIN (photo of dashboard, door jamb, windshield, etc.):

1. Make an HTTP **POST** request to the CarsXE VIN OCR API:
   - **URL:** `https://api.carsxe.com/v1/vinocr?key={CARSXE_API_KEY}&source=codex_plugin`
   - **Headers:** `Content-Type: application/json`
   - **Body:**
     ```json
     {
       "image": "{IMAGE_URL}"
     }
     ```
2. Display the extracted VIN and confidence score.
3. Offer to immediately decode the VIN using the vehicle-specs skill.
4. If the image quality is poor or the VIN can't be extracted, suggest the user try a clearer photo with better lighting and angle.
5. If the API key is missing, tell the user to set the `CARSXE_API_KEY` environment variable (see AGENTS.md).