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The Wherobots Model Context Protocol (MCP) server helps you explore spatial data and generate geospatial SQL through natural language. This page has example prompts and troubleshooting tips. For what the server does, its tools, limits, and cost, see Wherobots MCP Server. For installation instructions, configure the MCP Server.
The Wherobots MCP server is hosted in us-west-2. When used, MCP clients communicate with this service.If you need the MCP server to be hosted in alternative regions, please file a request at support@wherobots.com.

Example prompts

For the table names, nested fields, and boundary filters that Overture Maps queries need, see Query Overture Maps tables. For a video walkthrough of these prompts, see Watch a 10-minute demo.

Exploring Overture dataset schema

For example, you can ask about the details in a specific dataset, such as: Screenshot showing the MCP server dataset details response in Copilot Chat

Start a SQL session before longer work

If no SQL session is running, the first query from the MCP server starts one, and a cold SQL session can take several minutes to start. To have the session running before longer work, start with a small query, for example:
“How many rows are in the Overture buildings table?”
While the session starts, your AI assistant polls for the query’s status. For details, see How queries run.

Usage considerations

Consider the following best practices and limitations when using the Wherobots MCP server integration:
  • Model choice: Query success improves significantly with the latest advanced AI models available in your AI assistant (for example, the latest version of Claude Opus, Gemini Pro, or GPT Codex models).
  • Queries that write: Your AI assistant can run SQL that creates, changes, or drops tables. Whether you are asked first depends on your MCP client. Query results are capped by a byte budget per response. See Limits.
  • Compute constraints: Queries run on your Organization’s default runtime unless your client sets a different one, and stop when they reach the query time limit.
    • VS Code Extension settings: If the Wherobots VS Code Extension configured your MCP server, you can change the query timeout, use a larger runtime if queries stall, or change the region in its MCP settings.
  • Complex operations: Large-scale operations like planetary-scale analysis or isochrones may timeout.
For billing, see Cost.