OpenStreetMap MCP Server

What is OpenStreetMap MCP Server?

OpenStreetMap MCP Server is a Go implementation of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) that enables LLMs to interact with geospatial data from OpenStreetMap. It provides a suite of tools for geocoding, routing, place discovery, and geographic analysis, designed for precision, performance, and ease of integration with MCP desktop clients.

How to use OpenStreetMap MCP Server?

The server is configured and invoked through MCP‑compatible desktop clients. It exposes a set of tool endpoints (e.g., geocode_address, route_fetch, find_nearby_places) that accept JSON parameters. No specific installation or configuration commands are detailed in the README beyond the standard MCP setup.

Key features of OpenStreetMap MCP Server

• Geocoding and reverse geocoding of addresses and coordinates
• Route fetching and turn‑by‑turn directions via OSRM
• Finding nearby points of interest by category and radius
• Bounding box, centroid, and distance calculations
• Polyline encoding/decoding and route sampling
• EV charging station and parking facility queries
• Neighborhood livability and commute analysis
• Map image retrieval in SVG format with metadata

Use cases of OpenStreetMap MCP Server

• Build AI‑powered travel planners that suggest meeting points and routes
• Automate real‑estate relocation analysis with livability scores
• Enable conversational search for amenities like schools, cafés, or EV chargers
• Analyze commute options between home and work locations
• Generate visual map snapshots for location‑aware applications

FAQ from OpenStreetMap MCP Server

What external services does the server depend on?

The server uses the OSRM routing service for route fetching and OpenStreetMap API data for queries. Polyline tools are self‑contained.

How are errors handled during geocoding?

Enhanced error responses include structured error codes, diagnostic messages, and specific suggestions for fixing failed queries.

Can I combine tools for custom workflows?

Yes. Tools are designed as composable primitives with uniform interfaces, allowing LLMs to chain them (e.g., bbox_from_points → osm_query_bbox → filter_tags → sort_by_distance) for unforeseen workflows.

What transport does the server use?

The server implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP) standard. No specific transport (stdio/HTTP) is mentioned in the README beyond the MCP framework.

What runtime environment is required?

The server is written in Go and runs as a standalone binary. No additional runtime dependencies are listed.