openFDA MCP Server for Windsurf 3 tools — connect in under 2 minutes
Windsurf brings agentic AI coding to a purpose-built IDE. Connect openFDA through the Vinkius and Cascade will auto-discover every tool — ask questions, generate code, and act on live data without leaving your editor.
ASK AI ABOUT THIS MCP SERVER
Vinkius supports streamable HTTP and SSE.
Vinkius Desktop App
The modern way to manage MCP Servers — no config files, no terminal commands. Install openFDA and 2,500+ MCP Servers from a single visual interface.
{
"mcpServers": {
"openfda": {
"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
}
}
}
* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure
About openFDA MCP Server
The openFDA MCP Server provides direct, zero-auth access to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory databases. This server allows your AI agent to construct complex pharmacological queries and retrieve public health data in real-time.
Windsurf's Cascade agent chains multiple openFDA tool calls autonomously — query data, analyze results, and generate code in a single agentic session. Paste the Vinkius Edge URL, reload, and all 3 tools are immediately available. Real-time tool feedback appears inline, so you see API responses directly in your editor.
Core Capabilities
- Drug Adverse Events — Investigate documented side effects, medication errors, and quality complaints across millions of historical patient records.
- Food Safety Recalls — Keep track of active and historical FDA enforcement reports, including outbreaks of pathogens like Salmonella or Listeria.
- Medical Device Safety (MAUDE) — Monitor injuries, malfunctions, and deaths associated with medical devices.
- Advanced Search Capabilities — All tools accept raw query syntax, giving your AI agent absolute freedom to perform highly granular, multi-variable analytical research.
The openFDA MCP Server exposes 3 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to Windsurf in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.
How to Connect openFDA to Windsurf via MCP
Follow these steps to integrate the openFDA MCP Server with Windsurf.
Open MCP Settings
Go to Settings → MCP Configuration or press Cmd+Shift+P and search "MCP"
Add the server
Paste the JSON configuration above into mcp_config.json
Save and reload
Windsurf will detect the new server automatically
Start using openFDA
Open Cascade and ask: "Using openFDA, help me..." — 3 tools available
Why Use Windsurf with the openFDA MCP Server
Windsurf provides unique advantages when paired with openFDA through the Model Context Protocol.
Windsurf's Cascade agent autonomously chains multiple tool calls in sequence, solving complex multi-step tasks without manual intervention
Purpose-built for agentic workflows — Cascade understands context across your entire codebase and integrates MCP tools natively
JSON-based configuration means zero code changes: paste a URL, reload, and all 3 tools are immediately available
Real-time tool feedback is displayed inline, so you see API responses directly in your editor without switching contexts
openFDA + Windsurf Use Cases
Practical scenarios where Windsurf combined with the openFDA MCP Server delivers measurable value.
Automated code generation: ask Cascade to fetch data from openFDA and generate models, types, or handlers based on real API responses
Live debugging: query openFDA tools mid-session to inspect production data while debugging without leaving the editor
Documentation generation: pull schema information from openFDA and have Cascade generate comprehensive API docs automatically
Rapid prototyping: combine openFDA data with Cascade's code generation to scaffold entire features in minutes
openFDA MCP Tools for Windsurf (3)
These 3 tools become available when you connect openFDA to Windsurf via MCP:
query_drug_events
g., patient.drug.medicinalproduct:"ASPIRIN", patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt:"HEADACHE"). The dataset contains reports of adverse events, medication errors, and product quality complaints. Max limit is 100. Query the openFDA Drug Adverse Events database using Lucene syntax
query_food_recalls
Examples: reason_for_recall:"salmonella", status:"Ongoing", state:"CA". Helps track foodborne illness outbreaks and FDA regulations. Search openFDA Food Enforcement and Recalls database
query_medical_devices
Useful query fields: device.generic_name:"PACEMAKER", event_type:"Malfunction", date_of_event:[20200101 TO 20231231]. Search openFDA Medical Device Adverse Events (MAUDE)
Example Prompts for openFDA in Windsurf
Ready-to-use prompts you can give your Windsurf agent to start working with openFDA immediately.
"What are the most recent food recalls related to Salmonella in California?"
"Are there any reports of 'insomnia' after taking generic Ibuprofen?"
Troubleshooting openFDA MCP Server with Windsurf
Common issues when connecting openFDA to Windsurf through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.
Server not connecting
openFDA + Windsurf FAQ
Common questions about integrating openFDA MCP Server with Windsurf.
How does Windsurf discover MCP tools?
mcp_config.json file on startup and connects to each configured server via Streamable HTTP. Tools are listed in the MCP panel and available to Cascade automatically.Can Cascade chain multiple MCP tool calls?
Does Windsurf support multiple MCP servers?
mcp_config.json. Each server's tools appear in the MCP panel and Cascade can use tools from different servers in a single flow.Connect openFDA with your favorite client
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Connect openFDA to Windsurf
Get your token, paste the configuration, and start using 3 tools in under 2 minutes. No API key management needed.