About MapIron Maps
MapIron Maps MCP is a bridge to the MapIron mapping API, which uses OpenStreetMap data. It forwards requests for clients that can only launch local stdio servers, while also supporting direct connections to the hosted MCP server.
Key features
- 01Forward and reverse geocoding
- 02Static maps with markers or routes
- 03Area maps that omit exact locations
- 04Code and URLs for interactive maps
- 05Forward JSON-RPC requests over HTTPS
Use cases
- 01Convert place names to coordinates
- 02Create route or marker maps for reports
- 03Show an approximate area without exposing an exact point
MCP support
The project bridges stdio to HTTP, forwarding JSON-RPC requests from local clients to the hosted MCP server. Compatible clients can also connect directly to https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp.
Configuration
Remote servers need no local install. Pick your client, then copy the config or install in one click.
https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcpclaude mcp add --transport http com-mapiron-maps https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp{"mcpServers":{"com-mapiron-maps":{"type":"http","url":"https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp"}}}Open in Cursor{"servers":{"com-mapiron-maps":{"type":"http","url":"https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp"}}}Open in VS Code{"mcpServers":{"com-mapiron-maps":{"type":"http","url":"https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp"}}}{"mcpServers":{"com-mapiron-maps":{"serverUrl":"https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp"}}}Run commands in a terminal; paste JSON into the client’s MCP config and restart. Servers that need sign-in will prompt on first connect.
https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcpAuth requiredTools
Details
From the project READMEMapIron MCP
MapIron (https://mapiron.com) is a map API built on OpenStreetMap data, with a free plan and flat paid plans. It provides static map images, including a privacy-area mode, geocoding, and tiles. This repository provides a small stdio-to-HTTP bridge for MCP clients that can only launch local servers.
MCP Registry: com.mapiron/maps
MapIron was called PinSharing until November 2026. Old configs keep working: see Upgrading from PinSharing.
Most clients: use the hosted server directly
The hosted MCP server is available at:
https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp
See https://mapiron.com/docs/mcp for setup. With Claude Code:
claude mcp add --transport http mapiron https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY"
Clients that only run local servers (stdio)
Some clients, such as Claude Desktop with claude_desktop_config.json, can only launch local stdio MCP servers. For those, use this bridge.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mapiron": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github:Software-Consulting/mapiron-mcp"],
"env": { "MAPIRON_API_KEY": "ps_your_key" }
}
}
}
Git and Node.js 18+ are required.
Tools
| Tool | What it does | What it counts |
|---|---|---|
geocode | Convert addresses or place names to coordinates | 1 geocode |
reverse_geocode | Convert coordinates to an address or place | 1 geocode |
static_map | Render a map image with markers or a route | 1 static image |
privacy_area_map | Show roughly where a place is (a shaded area, no pin); never reveals the exact point | 1 static image |
map_setup | Code and URLs for an interactive map (MapLibre GL JS, Leaflet, OpenLayers) | free |
Configuration
| Variable | Required | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
MAPIRON_API_KEY | Recommended | none | MapIron API key (ps_...). Without it, discovery works and tool calls return the server's missing_key error. |
MAPIRON_MCP_URL | No | https://api.mapiron.com/v1/mcp | Hosted MCP server URL. Must be https: unless the host is localhost or 127.0.0.1. |
MAPIRON_MCP_TIMEOUT_MS | No | 60000 | HTTP timeout in milliseconds. |
MAPIRON_MCP_DEBUG | No | unset | Set to 1 to write debug logs to stderr. |
Upgrading from PinSharing
Nothing breaks if you change nothing:
github:Software-Consulting/pinsharing-mcpredirects to this repository.PINSHARING_API_KEY,PINSHARING_MCP_URL,PINSHARING_MCP_TIMEOUT_MSandPINSHARING_MCP_DEBUGare still read. If both names are set, theMAPIRON_one wins.- Existing
ps_keys work unchanged, andhttps://api.pinsharing.com/v1/mcpstill serves the same tools.
To move to the new names, change the repository in args to github:Software-Consulting/mapiron-mcp and rename the variable to MAPIRON_API_KEY.
How it works
The bridge reads JSON-RPC messages from stdin, one per line, and forwards each one to the hosted MCP server over HTTPS. Responses are written to stdout, one JSON object per line. Nothing is stored locally. The API key is only sent to the configured server (by default api.mapiron.com) in the Authorization header, and never printed in logs or errors.
Plans and caps
MapIron has hard monthly caps and no overage billing. A free plan is available without a card:
- Pricing and caps: https://mapiron.com/pricing
- Free keys / dashboard: https://mapiron.com/dashboard
Attribution
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Show attribution wherever map results or images appear.
Development
npm test
The project has zero runtime or development dependencies.
License
MIT. MapIron is a service of Wells Software Consulting LLC.
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