• MATCHES
  • METRICS
  • ASSETS
  • HUMAN

How to search and filter satellite scenes with your AI

Connect Planet Labs to your AI client to turn plain English requests into precise imagery searches. You stop digging through maps and start asking for what you need.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I find specific satellite images using my AI?

Tell your AI what you're looking for, where it is, and when it happened. It uses Planet Labs data to find scenes that match your location, date range, and cloud cover requirements. You get direct access to the specific image assets you requested.

Search outcomes

Where your data lands

What happens after you send a command.

MATCHES

Filtered scene lists

The AI identifies all satellite captures that fit your specific criteria. You get a clean list of available imagery instead of a massive, unfiltered dataset.

METRICS

Cloud cover checks

The AI checks the clarity of the sky for specific areas. This ensures you don't waste time looking at images obscured by heavy clouds.

ASSETS

Direct file access

Once a scene is found, the AI pulls the actual data assets. You get the specific files needed for your analysis or mapping work.

HUMAN

Manual review

You decide which specific images are high-enough quality for your project. The AI finds the candidates, but you make the final call on the data.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The AI translates your intent into specific API calls to Planet Labs.

  1. Locate scenes

    The AI scans the Planet Labs catalog for imagery that matches your requested coordinates and timeframes.

    quick_search

  2. Check visibility

    The AI inspects the cloud percentage for the identified scenes to ensure they meet your clarity needs.

    get_cloud_coverage

  3. Retrieve files

    The AI grabs the specific data links for the imagery that passed your filters.

    get_item_assets

  4. Present results

    The AI summarizes the findings and provides the links or data you asked for.

    quick_search

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger a search immediately.

Starting points

Swap out the locations and dates for your actual targets.

Planet Labs Connector

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

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CJrh57tPp7WRiBXCwNC971zKspbWwDQ7AcxPf5PM/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 — Planet Labs capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "planet-labs-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CJrh57tPp7WRiBXCwNC971zKspbWwDQ7AcxPf5PM/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Find satellite scenes over San Francisco from last Tuesday with less than 10% cloud cover.

  • Search for Planet Labs imagery in the Amazon rainforest between January and March 2024.

  • Show me all scenes covering the Port of Rotterdam that have clear skies.

  • Get the assets for the most recent imagery captured over London.

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

Start here

Connect Planet Labs once, then ask.

One click connects the MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted and secure, and you can start searching immediately.

Connect Planet Labs to your AI

FAQ

How the search behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI buy new satellite imagery for me?

    No. The AI can only search for and retrieve existing imagery available through your Planet Labs account.

  • 02

    Can the AI change my Planet Labs subscription settings?

    No. The AI only has permission to search and fetch data. It cannot modify your account or billing information.

  • 03

    Does the AI filter by cloud cover automatically?

    Only if you ask it to. You can request specific cloud cover percentages in your prompt.

  • 04

    Can I search for specific objects like cars or ships?

    No. The AI searches for satellite scenes based on location, time, and weather, not for specific objects within the images.

  • 05

    How does the AI handle multiple locations?

    You can ask for multiple locations in one prompt, and the AI will run searches for each area you specify.

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

Connect Planet Labs to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more