How to Use the PurpleAir MCP in Windsurf
Feed real-time PM2.5 and temperature readings directly to Windsurf so Cascade can build live air quality features autonomously.
Works with every AI agent you already use
…and any MCP-compatible client
Connect PurpleAir MCP to Windsurf
Create your Vinkius account to connect PurpleAir to Windsurf — we handle the hosting, security, and runtime updates so you don't have to. No server setup required.
Gemini
Key Capabilities
Map localized pollution grids with Windsurf Cascade
Cascade can grab a geographic coordinate and map out every PurpleAir sensor in that neighborhood without you prompting every step. It calls `get_sensors_by_bounding_box` to pull raw PM2.5 levels, temperature, and humidity across a specific grid, then formats the payload into clean spatial datasets for your Windsurf project. Instead of manually plotting coordinates, you tell Cascade to find high-pollution pockets using PurpleAir sensor locations. The agent chains `get_sensors_near_me` to locate the closest hardware, then filters the list to build a local air quality profile inside Windsurf.
Track air quality trends using this MCP Server
Track how particulate levels shift over days or weeks right inside your Windsurf workspace. Cascade uses `get_sensor_history` to pull historical PurpleAir time-series data at specific intervals, letting your agent run averages or find peak pollution events during heavy traffic hours. If you need raw data for an external charting tool, Cascade can trigger `get_sensor_history_csv` to grab PurpleAir logs. It grabs the CSV output, writes it to a local file in your Windsurf workspace, and prepares it for your air quality analysis.
Filter indoor vs outdoor hardware instantly
Separate interior air filters from regional ambient monitors using Windsurf's interactive Cascade agent. The agent uses `list_sensors` to query the global PurpleAir network, applying filters to isolate indoor workspace health or analyze outdoor wildfire smoke patterns. This MCP Server lets you target specific hardware using `get_indoor_sensors` or `get_outdoor_sensors` directly inside Cascade. Cascade reads these distinct PurpleAir endpoints to compare indoor ventilation performance against the surrounding city air quality.
Set up PurpleAir MCP in Windsurf
Prerequisites
- Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
- Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token
- 1
Open MCP configuration
Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open
~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json. - 2
Add the PurpleAir MCP
Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the
mcpServersobject. Replace[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com. - 3
Refresh MCPs
Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
- 4
Verify in Cascade
Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my PurpleAir payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the PurpleAir tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.
{
"mcpServers": {
"purpleair-mcp": {
"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
}
}
}Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by PurpleAir. 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 PurpleAir MCP in Windsurf
Use it with your favorite AI tools
Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.
Start using the PurpleAir MCP today
We host it, we monitor it, we maintain it. You just paste one token.