# Google Maps MCP Server

An [MCP (Model Context Protocol)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) server that gives Claude and other MCP clients access to the Google Maps Platform: geocoding, place search, place details, directions, distance matrix, and elevation.

## Tools

| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `maps_geocode` | Convert an address or place name into coordinates |
| `maps_reverse_geocode` | Convert coordinates into a human-readable address |
| `maps_search_places` | Free-text place search (restaurants, businesses, landmarks), with optional location bias |
| `maps_place_details` | Full details for a place: phone, website, hours, rating, reviews |
| `maps_directions` | Turn-by-turn directions (driving, walking, bicycling, transit) |
| `maps_distance_matrix` | Travel time and distance between multiple origins and destinations |
| `maps_elevation` | Elevation in meters for one or more coordinates |

## Prerequisites

1. **Node.js 18+**
2. **A Google Maps API key** — create one in the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/google/maps-apis/credentials):
   - Create (or select) a project
   - Enable these APIs: **Geocoding API**, **Places API**, **Directions API**, **Distance Matrix API**, **Elevation API**
   - Create an API key under *Credentials*

## Installation

```bash
git clone https://github.com/Mannycon1/Google-Maps-Mcp.git
cd Google-Maps-Mcp
npm install
npm run build
```

## Usage with Claude Desktop

Add this to your `claude_desktop_config.json` (Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/Google-Maps-Mcp/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Restart Claude Desktop and the Google Maps tools will appear.

## Usage with Claude Code

```bash
claude mcp add google-maps \
  --env GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY_HERE \
  -- node /absolute/path/to/Google-Maps-Mcp/dist/index.js
```

## Testing manually

The server speaks JSON-RPC over stdio:

```bash
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY node dist/index.js
```

Then paste an MCP `initialize` request to interact with it, or use the [MCP Inspector](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/inspector):

```bash
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js
```

## Security notes

- Never commit your API key. Pass it via the `GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY` environment variable (the `.env` pattern is gitignored).
- Consider [restricting your API key](https://cloud.google.com/docs/authentication/api-keys#securing) to only the Maps APIs listed above.

## License

MIT