How to Use the CARTO MCP in Claude Code

Claude Code executes CARTO spatial queries via MCP Server right from your terminal.

See Vinkius in Action

Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers - Free for Subscribers

Connect CARTO MCP to Claude Code

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

GDPR Free for Subscribers

Setup CARTO with Claude Code

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Terminal-Driven Spatial ETL

The `create_async_sql_job` tool lets your CLI agent trigger massive spatial transformations over the MCP protocol. You run a single command in your terminal to update materialized views across millions of rows. Claude Code fires the request and tracks the execution ID in the background. Your agent monitors progress via the `poll_async_job_status` tool without locking up your shell. You can pipe the final job status into a Slack notification script or a CI/CD pipeline. It handles the 60-second timeout limits by managing the asynchronous state entirely within your terminal session.

Command-Line Shapefile Imports

Claude Code pulls remote spatial files into your warehouse using the `import_external_file` tool. You pass a public URL containing a zipped shapefile or GeoJSON. The agent initiates the download and creates a new managed table in your database. To verify the ingestion, the agent calls `get_import_status` to check the progress percentage. Once the state hits complete, it uses `list_map_datasets` to confirm the new table exists. You automate your entire spatial data ingestion workflow without ever logging into a web console.

Headless Location Processing via MCP Server

The `geocode_batch_addresses` tool converts massive text files into coordinates through simple CLI prompts. You point the agent at a local CSV of CRM data. It reads the file, formats the payload, and hits the batch endpoint to process the entire list efficiently. For quick spot checks, Claude Code uses `geocode_address` to look up a single location. It returns the exact latitude and longitude straight to standard output. If you need catchment zones for those points, the agent chains the `calculate_isoline` tool to generate reachable area polygons on the fly.

Setup guide

Set up CARTO MCP in Claude Code

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Run the add command

Open your terminal and run the command shown on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com. Use --scope user to make it available across all projects.
2

Verify the connection

Start a Claude Code session and type /mcp to list connected servers. You should see carto-mcp with a green status indicator.
3

Start using tools

Ask Claude Code something like "Check my latest CARTO transactions." It will automatically discover and invoke the available CARTO tools.

Terminal

claude mcp add --transport http carto-mcp https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

Get your connection token →

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open the config file

Create or edit .mcp.json in your project root for project-level scope, or ~/.claude.json for user-level scope.
2

Add the CARTO 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

Restart Claude Code

Start a new Claude Code session. Type /mcp to confirm the server is connected. The tools will be automatically available in your conversation.

.mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carto-mcp": {
      "type": "url",
      "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 CARTO. 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.

Why Choose Vinkius

Vinkius connects your tools to AI with real-time monitoring and automatic cost savings — all from one dashboard.

Connect CARTO now

Real-time monitoring

Live

visibility into every interaction

Connect your favorite tools to your AI and see exactly what's happening — every request, every response, in real time.

Built-in savings

60%

lower AI costs

Vinkius compresses data between your apps and your AI automatically. Lower bills every month — no configuration required.

Single dashboard

One

place for every integration

Every tool your AI connects to, managed from a single screen. One account, complete control.

Common questions about CARTO MCP in Claude Code

Run the standard add command in your terminal with the HTTP transport flag. Pass your Vinkius endpoint URL and the required authentication headers. The configuration saves locally to your dotfile for future sessions.

Your agent initiates file imports from any accessible URL. It tracks the upload progress and returns the final table name. You can integrate this directly into your nightly cron jobs.

It calls the routing API to calculate optimal driving paths between coordinates. The agent outputs the raw GeoJSON and distance metrics directly to your terminal. You pipe that output into your backend services or save it to a local file.

Yes, the agent executes fast analytical queries with a one-minute timeout limit. It returns the JSON rows straight from your connected data warehouse. You get immediate answers about your spatial data without opening a SQL client.

Your CRM datasets and batch geocoding lists never touch a database on our infrastructure. We route the requests through a stateless proxy layer that holds zero memory of the payload. Every byte of your location data evaporates instantly after the API returns the coordinates.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

OpenAI Agents SDK sdk-python

Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python

Vercel AI SDK sdk-typescript