Map Traveler MCP server

This MCP server creates a virtual traveling environment, allowing an avatar to explore locations on Google Maps through text commands. You can guide the avatar, view photos, and even share your journey via social media.

Installation

To set up the MCP server for virtual traveling, follow these steps:

Basic Setup (Practice Mode)

1. Install Node.js 22 on your system
2. Configure Claude Desktop
3. Create a basic configuration in claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "traveler": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@mfukushim/map-traveler-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

4. Restart Claude Desktop and verify the MCP icon appears at the bottom right of the screen
5. Import the included travel prompt by selecting "Attach from MCP" and choosing role.txt

Full Feature Setup

For the complete experience with real maps, images, and persistence:

1. Obtain a Google Maps API key with the following enabled:

   • Street View Static API
   • Places API
   • Time Zone API
   • Directions API

2. Set up a database location for storing your travels

3. Configure image processing with rembg:

   python3 -m venv venv
   . venv/bin/activate  # or .\venv\Scripts\activate on Windows
   pip install "rembg[cpu,cli]"
   

4. Get an image generation API key from pixAI or Stability.ai

5. Create a comprehensive configuration in claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "traveler": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@mfukushim/map-traveler-mcp"],
      "env":{
        "MT_GOOGLE_MAP_KEY":"your-google-map-api-key",
        "MT_SQLITE_PATH":"path/to/traveler.sqlite",
        "MT_REMBG_PATH": "path/to/rembg",
        "MT_PIXAI_KEY":"your-pixai-key",
        "MT_TIME_SCALE": "4"
      }
    }
  }
}

Alternative Configurations

Using Turso for Cloud Database

Instead of a local SQLite file, you can use Turso's cloud database:

"env": {
  "MT_TURSO_URL": "your-turso-db-url",
  "MT_TURSO_TOKEN": "your-turso-access-token"
}

Using Cloud Services for Image Processing

You can use withoutbg.com instead of local rembg:

"env": {
  "MT_REMBG_WO_KEY": "your-withoutbg-api-key"
}

Using LibreChat

To set up with LibreChat:

1. Install LibreChat using Docker

2. Add rembg service to your docker-compose.override.yml:

   services:
     api:
       volumes:
         - type: bind
           source: ./librechat.yaml
           target: /app/librechat.yaml
   
     rembg:
       image: danielgatis/rembg:latest
       restart: always
       command: "s --host 0.0.0.0 --port 7000 --log_level info"
   

3. Configure LibreChat's librechat.yaml:

   mcpServers:
     traveler:
       type: stdio
       command: npx
       args:
         - -y
         - "@mfukushim/map-traveler-mcp"
   

4. Add environment variables to your .env file

Usage

Basic Commands

Once set up, you can interact with your virtual traveler using natural language. Some examples:

• "Where are you now?"
• "Let's go to Tokyo Station"
• "What can you see around you?"
• "Take a photo of your surroundings"

Available Functions

The MCP server provides these core functions:

• get_traveler_view_info(includePhoto, includeNearbyFacilities): Get information about the current location with optional photos and nearby points of interest
• set_traveler_location(address): Move your avatar to a specific location
• set_traveler_destination_address(address): Set a destination for your journey
• start_traveler_journey: Begin traveling to your destination in real-time mode
• stop_traveler_journey: Pause your journey
• reach_a_percentage_of_destination(timeElapsedPercentage): Skip ahead on your journey by a percentage (0-100)

Customizing Your Avatar

You can personalize your virtual traveler:

• set_traveler_info(settings): Configure your traveler's name, personality, etc.
• set_avatar_prompt(prompt): Customize how your avatar appears in generated images
• reset_avatar_prompt: Return to the default avatar appearance

Social Media Integration

If you've configured Bluesky SNS access:

• post_sns_writer(message): Share your travels on Bluesky
• get_sns_feeds: View relevant feed posts
• reply_sns_writer(message, id): Reply to a specific post
• add_like(id): Like a post

Additional Settings

You can further customize your experience with these options:

"env": {
  "MT_IMAGE_WIDTH": "512",
  "MT_NO_IMAGE": "true",
  "MT_MOVE_MODE": "skip",
  "MT_FEED_TAG": "#virtual_traveler"
}

Where:

• MT_IMAGE_WIDTH: Controls the size of generated images (default: 512)
• MT_NO_IMAGE: Disables image generation entirely
• MT_MOVE_MODE: Choose between "realtime" or "skip" travel modes
• MT_FEED_TAG: Custom tag for SNS posts (minimum 15 characters)

How to add this MCP server to Cursor

There are two ways to add an MCP server to Cursor. The most common way is to add the server globally in the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file so that it is available in all of your projects.

If you only need the server in a single project, you can add it to the project instead by creating or adding it to the .cursor/mcp.json file.

Adding an MCP server to Cursor globally

To add a global MCP server go to Cursor Settings > MCP and click "Add new global MCP server".

When you click that button the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file will be opened and you can add your server like this:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "cursor-rules-mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "cursor-rules-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}

Adding an MCP server to a project

To add an MCP server to a project you can create a new .cursor/mcp.json file or add it to the existing one. This will look exactly the same as the global MCP server example above.

How to use the MCP server

Once the server is installed, you might need to head back to Settings > MCP and click the refresh button.

The Cursor agent will then be able to see the available tools the added MCP server has available and will call them when it needs to.

You can also explictly ask the agent to use the tool by mentioning the tool name and describing what the function does.