Recipes

Combine small, explicit calls around one location or a shortlist of returned place IDs. These examples make potentially billable Google requests. Review authentication first; composites may use more than one API and return partial errors.

Find a cafe and compare the trip

Search within a real radius, expand only shortlisted IDs, then compare travel. Nearby’s keyword is a Google place type, not free text.

mcp-gmap-rs search-nearby \
  --center '{"value":"48.8584,2.2945","isCoordinates":true}' \
  --keyword cafe --radius 500 --open-now --min-rating 4
mcp-gmap-rs place-details --place-id ChIJLU7jZClu5kcR4PcOOO6p3I0 --max-photos 0
mcp-gmap-rs distance-matrix --origins '["48.8584,2.2945"]' \
  --destinations '["48.8606,2.3376","48.8530,2.3499"]' --mode walking

Use search-places for natural-language intent, compare-places for detailed matches with optional driving distance, or explore-area for category-based exploration. A search page is not an exhaustive inventory. Preserve Google source links, review authors and AI disclosures.

Plan stops and find a detour

mcp-gmap-rs plan-route \
  --stops '["48.8584,2.2945","48.8606,2.3376","48.8530,2.3499"]' \
  --mode walking --optimize false
mcp-gmap-rs search-along-route --text-query cafes \
  --origin '48.8584,2.2945' --destination '48.8606,2.3376' \
  --mode walking --max-results 3

directions handles one journey with time/avoidance options; plan-route preserves endpoints when optimizing intermediates. Transit accepts only two total stops. Along-route search follows a polyline instead of substituting a midpoint circle. It defaults to walking, so always choose the intended travel mode.

Resolve once, inspect local conditions

mcp-gmap-rs geocode --address 'Eiffel Tower, Paris, France'
mcp-gmap-rs weather --latitude 48.8584 --longitude 2.2945 \
  --type forecast_daily --forecast-days 3
mcp-gmap-rs air-quality --latitude 48.8584 --longitude 2.2945
mcp-gmap-rs pollen --latitude 48.8584 --longitude 2.2945 --days 3
mcp-gmap-rs timezone --latitude 48.8584 --longitude 2.2945
mcp-gmap-rs elevation --locations '[{"latitude":48.8584,"longitude":2.2945}]'

Reuse coordinates instead of repeating resolution. Keep observations, forecasts and provider recommendations distinct; coverage can vary. reverse-geocode resolves coordinates back to an address; batch-geocode resolves up to 50 addresses with per-address errors. Time Zone’s optional timestamp uses Unix milliseconds; elevation is in metres.

Validate a postal address

mcp-gmap-rs validate-address --address-lines '["5 Avenue Anatole France"]' \
  --locality Paris --postal-code 75007 --region-code FR

Inspect the verdict, corrections and unresolved components. Address validation is distinct from geocoding and does not guarantee delivery. USPS CASS is opt-in and requires regionCode US or PR in this implementation.

Count places without counting search hits

mcp-gmap-rs area-insights \
  --area '{"circle":{"latLng":{"latitude":48.8584,"longitude":2.2945},"radius":500}}' \
  --included-types '["restaurant"]' --min-rating 4

Aggregate counts normally use Google’s string int64 representation. Optional place IDs are available only when the count is at most 100; details are not fetched automatically. For explicitly requested visibility analysis, local-rank-tracker measures keyword ranks across a grid. Start with one keyword and a 3×3 grid; ranks are not review ratings, and failed points must stay visible.

Match GPS data and save a map

Use snap-to-roads for an ordered trace and nearest-roads for independent points. Preserve originalIndex; interpolation adds points that may not have one. Speed limits are not returned.

mcp-gmap-rs nearest-roads --points '[{"latitude":48.8584,"longitude":2.2945}]'
mcp-gmap-rs static-map --center '48.8584,2.2945' --zoom 14 --output area.png

The tool reference lists exact bounds, required fields, defaults and result formats for every operation.