How to Use the FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) MCP in Claude

Q: How do I install the FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) server on Claude Desktop?

Open your local claudedesktopconfig.json file and add the server configuration under the mcpServers key. Restart the desktop app, and you will see the tools available via the hammer icon in your chat input.

Q: Can I pull XML reports using FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) on Claude Desktop?

Yes, you can. The getannualreportxml tool fetches the raw XML data directly into your chat session, allowing Claude Desktop to parse and analyze the agency's performance metrics on demand.

Q: How do I find a specific agency UUID?

Use the listagencycomponents tool to search through the federal register. It returns the exact UUIDs and component names you need to pass into the other tools.

Get US government public records data directly in Claude Desktop to map agency response times and build request templates.

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Connect FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) 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 FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) with Claude Desktop

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Audit agency performance with raw XML data

`get_annual_report_xml` pulls raw annual reports directly from federal agencies into your chat window. You don't have to navigate ancient government databases or fight broken download links to find out how long an agency takes to process requests. Claude Desktop reads the XML payload and extracts the exact metrics you need. It calculates average processing times, backlogs, and denial rates, letting you identify which offices are stalling on public records.

Map government agencies inside Claude Desktop

`list_agency_components` queries the central FOIA registry to show you every sub-agency, division, and office that handles public records. It pulls the exact UUIDs and metadata required to target your inquiries precisely. Your AI client parses the sparse fieldsets to filter out the noise and focus on specific departments. This lets you build clean lists of targets without manual copying and pasting.

Generate request forms using the FOIA.gov MCP Server

`get_agency_component_request_form` pulls the exact JSON schema and required fields for any specific federal office. You get the actual data structure the government expects, avoiding immediate rejections due to missing fields. Claude Desktop uses this structure to draft highly specific FOIA requests that match the agency's exact requirements. It formats your arguments and justification letters to align with the specific component's intake process.

Setup guide

Set up FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) 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 FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) 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 FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) 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 foiagov-freedom-of-information-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "foiagov-freedom-of-information-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 FOIA.gov. 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 FOIA.gov (Freedom of Information) MCP in Claude Desktop

Open your local `claude_desktop_config.json` file and add the server configuration under the `mcpServers` key. Restart the desktop app, and you will see the tools available via the hammer icon in your chat input.

Yes, you can. The `get_annual_report_xml` tool fetches the raw XML data directly into your chat session, allowing Claude Desktop to parse and analyze the agency's performance metrics on demand.

You can connect this MCP server to the web version of Claude by adding it as a custom connector in your browser settings. Paste the remote server URL, authenticate, and the tools will run directly in your browser.

Use the `list_agency_components` tool to search through the federal register. It returns the exact UUIDs and component names you need to pass into the other tools.

All requests go through a secure V8 sandbox, meaning your search queries and agency UUIDs never persist on our servers. The connection directly targets the public FOIA API and discards session data immediately after your AI client finishes the call.

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