How to Use the CarAPI MCP in Windsurf

Find detailed specs on 66,000+ cars without leaving Windsurf. Just set a goal and Cascade gets to work.

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Connect CarAPI MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect CarAPI to Windsurf and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup CarAPI with Windsurf

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Claude

Perplexity

Find Cars with a Single Goal

The `get_vehicles` tool lets you search for cars with specific criteria. But with Windsurf, you don't need to build the query step-by-step. Just tell Cascade something like, 'Find me a 2023 SUV with all-wheel drive and a V6 engine.' Cascade plans and executes the whole task. It uses the available tools to figure out valid makes, models, and engine types for that year, then runs the final search. You just get the answer. No back-and-forth required.

Explore All Vehicle Options

Not sure what you want? Use Cascade to explore the database. Ask it to 'show me all the drive types available' or 'list every car make from 2010'. Your agent gets the data for you instantly. This is great for discovery. You can quickly check what's possible before you narrow down your search. It uses simple tools like `get_drives`, `get_bodies`, `get_makes`, and `get_years` to give you the lay of the land.

Your CarAPI MCP Server in Action

Put Cascade to work comparing different options. For example, ask it to 'compare the base trim and the sport trim for a 2024 Honda Civic'. It will run multiple searches using the `get_vehicles` tool, pull the specs for each, and present them side-by-side. This is the real power of an autonomous agent paired with a good MCP server — you state the outcome, and it handles the mechanics.

Setup guide

Set up CarAPI MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the CarAPI MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my CarAPI payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the CarAPI tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carapi-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by CarAPI. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about CarAPI MCP in Windsurf

You'd give Cascade a prompt like 'find 2023 AWD sedans using CarAPI'. It then uses the `get_vehicles` tool with filters for year, drive type, and body style to get you a list of matching cars.

Yes, that's its main strength. You can ask it to find all models for a make, then get the engine specs for each of those models. Cascade chains the `get_models` and `get_vehicles` calls automatically.

Use the built-in MCP Marketplace in Windsurf's settings. Find CarAPI and click install. Your agent will auto-discover the tools, and you can start using them right away.

Absolutely. Just ask Cascade, 'list all car body types'. It will use the `get_bodies` tool from the CarAPI server and give you the complete list.

CarAPI only processes your direct search queries, like the year, make, or model you're looking for. The server runs in a Vinkius-managed sandbox, and your connection is handled via a single, secure token. No personal data is ever involved.

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