• PACKAGE
  • GRANULE
  • LIST
  • HUMAN

How to extract government document metadata with your AI

Connect GovInfo to your AI client once. From there, your agent handles the heavy lifting of digging through federal document packages.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I get metadata from federal documents using AI?

Your AI uses GovInfo to pull summaries for entire document packages or specific sub-documents. You'll get granular data points and high-level overviews without manual searching. This breakdown shows what your agent can find.

Data outcomes

What your agent finds

The specific types of data your agent pulls from the federal archives.

PACKAGE

Full package overviews

The AI summarizes entire collections of federal documents at once. You get the big picture of a specific legislative or regulatory bundle.

GRANULE

Specific document details

Your agent pulls summaries for individual files within a larger set. This targets the exact sub-document you need.

LIST

Document inventories

The AI generates a list of all sub-documents inside a package. This helps you see exactly what's available in a specific collection.

HUMAN

Manual verification

You review the extracted summaries to ensure the context matches your research needs. The AI provides the data, but you make the final call on its relevance.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The AI follows a logical path from broad collections down to specific files.

  1. Identify the collection

    Your agent looks at the requested federal package to understand its scope.

    get_package_summary

  2. Map the contents

    The AI scans the package to see every individual file or sub-document it contains.

    list_package_granules

  3. Target specific files

    Once the files are identified, the agent pulls the specific summary for the file you asked about.

    get_granule_summary

  4. Synthesize findings

    The AI combines the package and granule data into a single answer for you.

    get_package_summaryget_granule_summary

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the GovInfo tools.

Starting points

Replace the bracketed text with your actual federal package IDs or document names.

GovInfo Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_gXhi6Pna9o8QOwcsEa3Es5VB8EcKSL3unzppK2f5/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — GovInfo capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "govinfo-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_gXhi6Pna9o8QOwcsEa3Es5VB8EcKSL3unzppK2f5/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Give me a summary of the federal document package [ID].

  • List all the individual granules inside package [ID].

  • What is the summary for the specific sub-document [ID] within this package?

  • Summarize the entire [ID] package and tell me how many granules are inside.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect GovInfo once, then ask.

Click the link to connect the MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can immediately start asking questions about federal data.

Connect GovInfo to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI download the full PDF files?

    No. The AI only retrieves summaries and metadata for the documents.

  • 02

    Can my AI edit or change federal records?

    No. This MCP is read-only. It can only pull information from GovInfo.

  • 03

    Does the AI know which documents are in a package?

    Yes, it can list all granules within a specific package.

  • 04

    Can I ask for a summary of a single file?

    Yes, the AI can pull summaries for individual sub-documents.

  • 05

    Will the AI automatically update when a new document is added?

    No. You have to ask the AI to check the package again to see new content.

  • More questions about GovInfo? The Connector page answers them. See everything the GovInfo Connector can do

Connect GovInfo to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more