How to Use the EPA AirNow MCP in Cursor

Inject live federal air quality data directly into your codebase with Cursor.

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Connect EPA AirNow MCP to Cursor

Create your Vinkius account to connect EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow with Cursor

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Claude

Perplexity

Write localized apps with this MCP Server

The `get_current_aqi_by_latlon` tool lets your agent pull live environmental metrics while you write code. You just tell the AI to build a weather widget, and it fetches real AQI data for the exact coordinates you specify. No more hardcoding fake JSON responses to test your UI. It handles the API calls in the background. You stay in the editor, writing the frontend, while the tools fetch the actual hazard categories. Your layout renders with accurate, real-world data from the start.

Test forecasting logic instantly

The `get_forecast_aqi_by_zip` tool supplies upcoming predictions directly to your workspace. When you build scheduling logic for outdoor applications, you need real constraints. Pass a US ZIP code, and the tool returns the official EPA forecast. You don't have to leave the IDE to check if your conditional statements work. The AI client grabs the forecast, injects it into your test suite, and proves your code handles poor air quality correctly.

Automate regional fallbacks

The `get_current_aqi_by_zip` tool acts as a perfect fallback when coordinate data fails. If your user denies location permissions, your code can prompt for a ZIP code and route it through this tool. The EPA API responds with the regional baseline. Connecting this via MCP means you skip writing the boilerplate fetch requests yourself. You just ask the editor to implement the fallback logic, and it knows exactly what parameters the federal endpoints require.

Setup guide

Set up EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow transactions." If the MCP tools are loaded correctly, Cursor will call the EPA AirNow tools automatically. You can also check Settings → MCP for a green status indicator.

.cursor/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 Cursor

Create a .cursor/mcp.json file in your project root. Add the server command or remote URL under the mcpServers key and enable Agent mode in chat.

Yes. When you ask the agent to build a feature, it calls the tools to pull real AQI data and writes the implementation based on the actual JSON structure it receives.

No. Tool execution only happens in the chat panel during Agent mode. Your standard inline code completions run independently and stay fast.

The tool returns the API error directly to the chat. You will see a timeout or quota message, and you can tell the editor to write a retry mechanism.

Your ZIP codes and lat/lon coordinates go straight to the EPA endpoints. Vinkius isolates the execution in a zero-trust sandbox, so no location history or AQI results are ever logged on our infrastructure.

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