cesium-mcp-runtime — Claude Code MCP server: setup guide
Lets AI assistants control CesiumJS 3D globes through MCP. Adjusts cameras, displays vector layers, and tracks map entities during chats.
claude mcp add cesium-mcp-runtime -- npx -y cesium-mcp-runtimeWhat cesium-mcp-runtime does
This server connects AI assistants with CesiumJS environments. It translates tool calls into WebSocket instructions for the browser bridge. The npm package contains a built-in Viewer at http://localhost:9100/. You do not need to install cesium-mcp-bridge separately for default local testing.
Communication happens via stdio or streamable HTTP. When running in HTTP mode, all 62 scene manipulation tools activate immediately. The package also embeds an interactive map panel called openCesiumMap for native client interfaces.
Telemetry is active on startup. Pass --no-telemetry or set CESIUM_TELEMETRY_DISABLED=1 to silence it. Handling vector tiles requires CesiumJS 1.145. Opening files directly via file:// URLs fails because the runtime requires a running HTTP server.
What it helps with
- direct the 3D globe camera to target coordinates
- render MVT vector tiles via
loadVectorTiles - style geometric layers using
updateLayerStyle - embed an interactive map panel via MCP Apps
Example prompts for the agent
- Launch the Cesium map viewer using
openCesiumMap. - Load vector tiles and inspect the properties of the selected feature.
- Fly the camera to coordinates and adjust the layer style colors.
How to install cesium-mcp-runtime
Platform CLI
claude mcp add cesium-mcp-runtime -- npx -y cesium-mcp-runtimePlatform CLI
codex mcp add cesium-mcp-runtime -- npx -y cesium-mcp-runtimeConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"cesium-mcp-runtime": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"cesium-mcp-runtime"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"cesium-mcp-runtime": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"cesium-mcp-runtime"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add cesium-mcp-runtime npx -y cesium-mcp-runtimeStep by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about cesium-mcp-runtime
How do I install cesium-mcp-runtime in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add cesium-mcp-runtime -- npx -y cesium-mcp-runtime in your terminal. Then visit http://localhost:9100/ to view the globe in your browser.
What does cesium-mcp-runtime do?
It provides MCP tools to command CesiumJS globes from your coding agent. The server converts tool invocations into WebSocket actions that manipulate camera angles, vector layers, and geometry.
How do I opt out of telemetry?
Start the runtime with the --no-telemetry argument. Alternatively, export CESIUM_TELEMETRY_DISABLED=1 or DO_NOT_TRACK=1 in your shell environment.
