How to Use the CTA MCP in Cursor

Q: Can I use Cursor to debug transit apps using this CTA server?

Yes. You can run queries against getbusvehicles to see real-time positions and verify your code handles the data format correctly.

Q: How do I check connectivity to the CTA server in Cursor?

Call the getsystemtime tool. It provides a simple timestamp check to ensure your agent can reach the transit API endpoint.

Inject live Chicago transit data into your code with Cursor. Build apps using real-time CTA feeds.

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Connect CTA MCP to Cursor

Create your Vinkius account to connect CTA to Cursor 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 CTA with Cursor

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Live transit data for your code in Cursor

Stop relying on static mock data when building transit-related features. Your agent can call `get_bus_predictions` or `get_train_arrivals` to fetch actual timing data from the CTA. This lets you write code that handles real-world scenarios. You can test your logic against live `get_bus_vehicles` outputs to ensure your app behaves correctly under various traffic conditions.

Automate route discovery in your editor

Use `get_bus_routes` and `get_route_directions` to programmatically discover transit network structures. Your agent can map out the entire system topology without manual lookup. Feeding `get_bus_stops` data into your project allows for accurate geofencing or stop-based features. You get direct access to the official identifiers required for every API query.

Monitor system status during development

Keep tabs on transit reliability while you work. Your agent uses `get_route_status` to check for widespread delays that might impact your test environment. If you need to handle service disruptions, `get_service_alerts` provides the specific cause and detour information. You can build robust error handling based on the actual status codes returned.

Setup guide

Set up CTA MCP in Cursor

Prerequisites

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

1

Open MCP Settings

Go to Cursor Settings → MCP or open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and search for "MCP: Add Server".
2

Add the CTA MCP

Cursor will create or open .cursor/mcp.json in your project root. Paste the JSON snippet on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Enable Agent mode

Open Composer (Cmd+I / Ctrl+I) and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown at the top. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode.
4

Verify the connection

Ask Cursor something like "List my recent CTA transactions." If the MCP tools are loaded correctly, Cursor will call the CTA tools automatically. You can also check Settings → MCP for a green status indicator.

.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cta-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 CTA. 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 CTA MCP in Cursor

It provides a set of tools that your agent invokes to fetch live transit information. You simply ask for the data and it injects the response directly into your context.

Yes. You can run queries against `get_bus_vehicles` to see real-time positions and verify your code handles the data format correctly.

The data comes directly from the public transit feeds. It is the same information used by official trackers, ensuring your app uses reliable numbers.

The server is ephemeral and handles only the transit queries you trigger. It does not log your code, your project files, or any session-specific data.

Call the `get_system_time` tool. It provides a simple timestamp check to ensure your agent can reach the transit API endpoint.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

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

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Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python