Click on "Deploy Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type @ followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@dda-mcp-server check the weather at my observatory"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for controlling astronomy equipment. Supports Dark Dragons Astronomy devices and any ASCOM Alpaca-compatible equipment.
npm install -g @darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-serverOr run directly with npx:
npx @darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-serverRelated MCP server: SkyQuery
Add to your Claude Desktop configuration file:
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"dda": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-server"]
}
}
}claude mcp add dda -- npx @darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-serverTool | Description |
| Discover Dark Dragons Astronomy devices on the local network via UDP broadcast |
| Discover ASCOM Alpaca devices on the local network |
Tool | Description |
| Get the current status of a device |
| Get device settings including safety config, location, and motor settings |
| Open the observatory roof |
| Close the observatory roof |
| Abort the current roof operation |
| Get status of mount sensors connected to a DragonLAIR |
| Make a device beep/flash to help locate it physically |
Tool | Description |
| Get status of a standalone Mount Sensor (pitch, roll, safe position) |
Tool | Description |
| Get flat panel status (on/off, brightness) |
| Turn on the flat panel light |
| Turn off the flat panel light |
| Set brightness level (0-255) |
All Alpaca devices must first be connected using alpaca_device_connect.
Tool | Description |
| Connect or disconnect any Alpaca device |
Tool | Description |
| Get telescope position, tracking state, and slewing status |
| Slew to coordinates (RA/Dec or Alt/Az) |
| Park or unpark the telescope |
| Enable or disable tracking |
| Abort any slew in progress |
Tool | Description |
| Get camera temperature, cooler state, and exposure status |
| Control cooler on/off and set target temperature |
| Start a light or dark exposure |
| Abort the current exposure |
Tool | Description |
| Get focuser position, temperature, and movement state |
| Move focuser to a specific position |
| Halt focuser movement |
Tool | Description |
| Get current filter position and available filters |
| Change to a specific filter position |
Tool | Description |
| Get dome shutter state, position, and slewing status |
| Open or close the dome shutter |
| Slew dome to a specific azimuth |
Tool | Description |
| Get rotator position and movement state |
| Move rotator to absolute or relative position |
| Halt rotator movement |
Tool | Description |
| Get status of all switches on a device |
| Set a switch on or off |
| Set a switch to a specific value |
Tool | Description |
| Get cover and calibrator state |
| Open, close, or halt the cover |
| Turn calibrator on (with brightness) or off |
Tool | Description |
| Get safety monitor status (safe/unsafe) |
Tool | Description |
| Get weather data (temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover, etc.) |
DragonLAIR - Roll-off roof controller with mount sensor integration
DragonLIGHT - Flat panel controller for calibration frames
Mount Sensor - Detects telescope position for safe roof operation
Any device implementing the ASCOM Alpaca API:
Telescopes / Mounts
Cameras (CCD/CMOS)
Focusers
Filter Wheels
Domes
Rotators
Switches / Power Controllers
Cover Calibrators / Flat Panels
Safety Monitors
Weather Stations
ISC
Abort the current roof operation on a DragonLAIR device
Inputs: ip (required).
Abort an exposure on an ASCOM Alpaca camera. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Control the cooler on an ASCOM Alpaca camera. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), cooler_on (required), temperature, +1 more.
Start an exposure on an ASCOM Alpaca camera. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), duration (required), light, +1 more.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca camera including temperature, cooler state, and exposure status. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Control an ASCOM Alpaca cover calibrator light. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), action (required), brightness, +1 more.
Open or close an ASCOM Alpaca cover calibrator cover. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), action (required), device_number.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca cover calibrator including cover and calibrator state. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Connect or disconnect an ASCOM Alpaca device
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), connect (required), device_type (required), +1 more.
Open or close an ASCOM Alpaca dome shutter. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), action (required), device_number.
Slew an ASCOM Alpaca dome to a specific azimuth. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), azimuth (required), device_number.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca dome including shutter state, position, and slewing status. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Set the position of an ASCOM Alpaca filter wheel. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), position (required), device_number.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca filter wheel including current position and available filters. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Halt an ASCOM Alpaca focuser. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Move an ASCOM Alpaca focuser to a specific position. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), position (required), device_number.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca focuser including position, temperature, and movement state. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Get the current observing conditions from an ASCOM Alpaca weather station. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Halt an ASCOM Alpaca rotator. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Move an ASCOM Alpaca rotator to a specific position. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), position (required), absolute, +1 more.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca rotator including position and movement state. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca safety monitor. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Set the state of a switch on an ASCOM Alpaca switch device. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), state (required), switch_id (required), +1 more.
Set the value of a switch on an ASCOM Alpaca switch device. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), value (required), switch_id (required), +1 more.
Get the status of all switches on an ASCOM Alpaca switch device. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Abort any slew in progress on an ASCOM Alpaca telescope. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Park or unpark an ASCOM Alpaca telescope. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), action (required), device_number.
Slew an ASCOM Alpaca telescope to coordinates (RA/Dec or Alt/Az). Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), ra, dec, +3 more.
Get the status of an ASCOM Alpaca telescope including position, tracking state, and slewing status. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), device_number.
Enable or disable tracking on an ASCOM Alpaca telescope. Note: Device must be connected first using alpaca_device_connect.
Inputs: ip (required), port (required), tracking (required), device_number.
Close the observatory roof on a DragonLAIR device
Inputs: ip (required).
Discover ASCOM Alpaca devices on the local network via UDP broadcast. Returns all Alpaca-compatible astronomy equipment including telescopes, cameras, focusers, filter wheels, and more.
Inputs: timeout.
Discover Dark Dragons Astronomy devices on the local network via UDP broadcast
Inputs: timeout.
Get the current settings of a DragonLAIR device including safety configuration, location, and motor settings.
Inputs: ip (required).
Get the current status of a Dark Dragons Astronomy device. Response varies by device type.
Inputs: ip (required).
Get the status of a DragonLIGHT flat panel controller. Returns whether the light is on, brightness level, and device info.
Inputs: ip (required).
Get the status of mount sensors connected to a DragonLAIR device. Mount sensors detect if the telescope mount is in a safe position for roof movement.
Inputs: ip (required).
Get the status of a standalone Mount Sensor device. Returns pitch, roll, and whether the mount is in a safe position for roof movement.
Inputs: ip (required).
Make a Dark Dragons Astronomy device beep/flash to help locate it physically. Works with DragonLAIR and Mount Sensor devices.
Inputs: ip (required).
Open the observatory roof on a DragonLAIR device
Inputs: ip (required).
Set the brightness of a DragonLIGHT flat panel light
Inputs: ip (required), brightness (required).
Turn off a DragonLIGHT flat panel light
Inputs: ip (required).
Turn on a DragonLIGHT flat panel light
Inputs: ip (required).
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
Loading tool schema changelog…
Scored across 43 tools
Most tools clearly specify the device type and action (e.g., alpaca_telescope_slew, open_roof). However, a few pairs like get_mount_sensors vs. get_mount_sensor_status and alpaca_switch_set vs. alpaca_switch_set_value could cause misselection.
Native device tools use verb_noun (open_roof, get_device_status), while Alpaca tools follow alpaca_<device>_<action> consistently. The dual scheme is predictable, though alpaca_device_connect slightly deviates from the standard pattern.
At 43 tools, the server far exceeds the 25-tool threshold for 'too many'. Many tools are simple status or control operations per device that could be consolidated into generic get_status or set_command functions.
The set covers discovery, connection, status, and control for all major device types (telescope, focuser, dome, camera, etc.). Minor gaps exist, such as no set_device_settings for native devices and no image retrieval for camera, but core workflows are represented.
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