How to Use the EPA AirNow MCP in Claude

Q: How do I install the EPA AirNow MCP Server in Claude Desktop?

Open Settings, click Developer, and edit your claudedesktopconfig.json file. Add the server command under the mcpServers key and restart the app.

Pull real-time AQI and forecasts straight into Claude Desktop without switching tabs.

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Connect EPA AirNow MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow with Claude Desktop

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Check current air quality in Claude Desktop

The `get_current_aqi_by_zip` tool feeds real-time Air Quality Index numbers directly into your chat. You hand it a 5-digit US ZIP code, and it pulls the exact PM2.5 and ozone levels from federal sensors. Stop guessing if it's safe to run outside based on how the sky looks. If you don't know the ZIP, your agent uses `get_current_aqi_by_latlon` instead. Pass the latitude and longitude, and it grabs the closest regional reading. You get raw numbers and hazard categories instantly.

Predict tomorrow's pollution levels

The `get_forecast_aqi_by_zip` tool pulls upcoming environmental predictions from the EPA. You get a clear look at tomorrow's air quality before you plan outdoor events. It takes the same 5-digit ZIP code and returns the forecasted hazard category. This MCP Server cuts out the middleman. You don't have to navigate government websites or deal with ad-heavy weather apps. Just ask your agent what the air will look like in Brooklyn on Thursday, and it grabs the official federal data.

Build health alerts fast

You can combine these tools to script your own daily briefings. Tell your AI client to check `get_current_aqi_by_zip` every morning and summarize the risks. It reads the data, formats it, and hands you a clean report. This setup works perfectly with the desktop app's local tool access. You can even pipe the AQI data into a local database or a daily markdown log. The federal data stays accurate, and you control how it gets displayed.

Setup guide

Set up EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow 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 epa-airnow-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "epa-airnow-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 EPA. 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 EPA AirNow MCP in Claude Desktop

Open Settings, click Developer, and edit your claude_desktop_config.json file. Add the server command under the mcpServers key and restart the app.

Yes. You can plug a remote server URL directly into Claude Web via the Integrations tab. It authenticates and connects the tools without touching your local filesystem.

The underlying EPA API only tracks North American sensors. If you pass a European or Asian location to the tools, they return empty data.

Yes. You need a valid AirNow API key set in your environment variables. The server checks for the correct key before it executes any queries.

The server only transmits the 5-digit ZIP codes or latitude/longitude coordinates you provide to the federal API. Vinkius runs this in an ephemeral V8 isolate, meaning your geographic queries vanish the second the connection drops.

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