MCP Server

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) server lets AI assistants — Claude Desktop, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible client — query Global Entry appointment availability directly.

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Install

pipx install global-entry-scanner

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Start the server

global-entry-scanner mcp

The server runs on stdio (standard MCP transport) and stays alive until killed.

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Connecting to your AI tool

The MCP server works with any MCP-compatible client. The config snippet is the same across all of them — just drop it in the right file, then restart the app.

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Claude Desktop

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "global-entry-scanner": {
      "command": "global-entry-scanner",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

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Cursor

~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "global-entry-scanner": {
      "command": "global-entry-scanner",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

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Windsurf

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "global-entry-scanner": {
      "command": "global-entry-scanner",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

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VS Code (GitHub Copilot)

.vscode/mcp.json in your workspace, or in your user settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "global-entry-scanner": {
      "command": "global-entry-scanner",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

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Gemini CLI

~/.gemini/settings.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "global-entry-scanner": {
      "command": "global-entry-scanner",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

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Available tools

get_locations

Returns all Global Entry enrollment centers sorted by state and city.

Returns: list of {id, name, city, state, timezone}

search_locations

Search locations by city, state, or name (case-insensitive substring match).

Parameters:
  query (str) — e.g. "chicago", "texas", "JFK"

Returns: list of {id, name, city, state}

check_appointments

Check available appointment slots for given location IDs.

Parameters:
  location_ids (list[int]) — e.g. [5001, 5140]

Returns: list of {location_id, start, end, active}

start_scan

Start a background polling loop for the given locations.

Parameters:
  location_ids (list[int])

stop_scan

Stop the background scanner.

get_scan_status

Get the current scanner state and latest results.

Returns: {active, location_ids, latest_results}

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Example prompts in Claude Desktop

Once the MCP server is connected:

• "Are there any open Global Entry slots near Chicago or Dallas this month?"
• "Search for appointment centers in Texas"
• "Start monitoring Austin and San Antonio for new slots"
• "What's the status of the scanner?"

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Troubleshooting

Server not appearing in Claude Desktop:

• Verify global-entry-scanner mcp runs without error in your terminal
• Run which global-entry-scanner to confirm the path, then check it matches what's in your config
• Fully quit and relaunch Claude Desktop (not just close the window)

ImportError: No module named 'mcp': Reinstall to ensure you have the latest version:

pipx reinstall global-entry-scanner