Mapbox MCP Server
Geospatial data and map rendering tools for AI-driven location intelligence.
Data last scanned yesterday · Reviewed yesterday
Overview
This server bridges Mapbox’s location intelligence platform with AI applications, providing capabilities ranging from global geocoding and multi-modal routing to travel time matrix analysis and route optimization. It allows AI models to perform complex spatial tasks such as isochrone generation, map matching for GPS traces, and various offline geospatial calculations. The implementation includes a unique interactive feature that renders Mapbox GL JS maps directly within the chat interface, alongside support for generating static map images. By requiring a personal Mapbox access token, it enables agents to build logistics optimizers, travel assistants, and location-based recommendation systems using real-world data.
Our verdict
With a security score of 45/100, this server is currently classified as high risk. This rating reflects the fact that the project is maintained by community members rather than Mapbox directly, and critical components such as authentication methods and read-only access modes have not yet been editorially reviewed. It is suitable for experimental and development environments where users can manage their own API token security, but it should be approached with caution in high-stakes or production infrastructure.
- Supports interactive map rendering directly within the chat interface
- Provides offline calculation tools for distance and spatial analysis
- Maintains a modest footprint with only 14 direct dependencies
- Community-maintained project lacking official vendor verification
- Authentication and read-only mode security status remains unreviewed
Setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"mapbox-mcp-server": {
"args": [
"-y",
"@mapbox/mcp-server"
],
"command": "npx"
}
}
}Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows), then restart Claude Desktop. Some servers require API keys or tokens as environment variables — check the project's README and add an "env" object if needed.
- No read-only mode — running this grants full read/write access.
- No built-in authentication — anyone with access to this config can invoke every tool it exposes.
Tools
| Tool | Description | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| resource_reader_tool | Provides access to MCP resources for clients that don't support the native MCP resource API. | low |
| distance_tool | Calculate the distance between two geographic coordinates using the Haversine formula. | low |
| points_within_polygon_tool | Test one or more points against a polygon or multipolygon, returning only those inside. | low |
| destination_tool | Calculate a destination point given a starting point, bearing, and distance using geodesic (great-circle) offset. | low |
| bearing_tool | Calculate the compass direction (bearing) from one coordinate to another. | low |
| midpoint_tool | Find the geographic midpoint between two coordinates along the great circle path. | low |
| centroid_tool | Calculate the geometric center (centroid) of a polygon or multipolygon. | low |
| area_tool | Calculate the area of a polygon. | low |
| bounding_box_tool | Calculate the minimum bounding box (bbox) that contains a geometry. | low |
| buffer_tool | Create a buffer zone (polygon) around a point, line, or polygon. | low |
Compatibility
| Client | Local | Docker | Remote | Read-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | ||||
| Cursor | ||||
| VS Code | ||||
| Windsurf | ||||
| ChatGPT |
Frequently asked questions
›What is required to use the Mapbox MCP server?
You must have a Mapbox access token, which can be obtained by signing up for a free account on the Mapbox website.
›Can I use a hosted endpoint instead of running the server locally?
Yes, you can use the hosted MCP endpoint located at https://mcp.mapbox.com/mcp for quick access.
›Does the server support map visualization?
Yes, the render_map_tool allows you to display routes, search results, and custom GeoJSON data on an interactive Mapbox GL JS map directly within the chat.
›Are there tools for offline calculations?
Yes, the server includes tools for offline geospatial calculations such as distance, area, bearing, buffers, and spatial analysis that do not require API calls.
›How do tools handle ambiguous user input?
The search_and_geocode_tool and directions_tool are designed to ask the user to disambiguate results or pick a specific route, with fallback mechanisms if the client does not support this interaction.
Changelog
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