How to Use the CourtListener MCP in Claude

Q: Can I look up judge records via CourtListener in Claude Desktop?

Yes. Just name the judge and the agent will call getjudge to pull their background and professional history into your current session.

Pull legal opinions and judge disclosures directly into Claude Desktop for faster research.

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Connect CourtListener MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect CourtListener to Claude Desktop 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 CourtListener with Claude Desktop

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Search dockets and opinions in Claude Desktop

Stop jumping between your browser and your AI client. Use `search_opinions` or `search_dockets` to find specific case files without leaving your chat window. The server pulls raw data directly into Claude Desktop so you can summarize complex filings or track legal trends in real time.

Review financial data with this MCP Server

Run `list_financial_disclosures` to get a clear view of a judge's assets. This MCP Server fetches the filings and formats them for immediate review. You'll see exactly what information is available before you start drafting your arguments. It cuts out the manual digging through public databases.

Map out legal citations using Claude Desktop

Use `list_citations` to see how an opinion connects to other cases. You get a list of links that helps you verify the strength of your research. Claude Desktop then parses these results, letting you ask follow-up questions about the specific legal history of a document.

Setup guide

Set up CourtListener MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The CourtListener MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the CourtListener MCP configuration

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

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under courtlistener-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "courtlistener-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 CourtListener. 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 CourtListener MCP in Claude Desktop

Open your chat and ask the agent to find a specific docket. It uses the `search_dockets` tool to query the database and present the results in your thread.

Yes. Just name the judge and the agent will call `get_judge` to pull their background and professional history into your current session.

Your connection is encrypted and direct. We don't store your legal queries, and the server only accesses the specific public documents you request.

It depends on your current plan's access to MCP. If your version supports custom connectors, you can plug in the endpoint and start searching.

Your research remains inside your chat history. The server acts as a bridge for public court records, and we maintain no local cache of your searches.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

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

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