Hots&Cots MCP Server

Give AI assistants like Claude direct access to the Hots&Cots military quality-of-life database — barracks conditions, DFAC ratings, and on-base facility reviews from service members across the DoD.

Requires an H&CPro API key (hc_live_...) — generate yours at hotscots.app/subscription/dashboard.

Setup — Claude Desktop

No cloning or building required. Add this to your Claude Desktop config file:

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hotscots": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@hotscots/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "HOTSCOTS_API_KEY": "hc_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. The Hots&Cots tools will appear automatically.

Setup — Cursor / Other MCP Clients

Same config block — check your client's documentation for the config file location.

What You Can Ask

• "Is my Hots&Cots API key working?"
• "List all installations — which have the most reviews?"
• "Show me barracks reviews at Fort Liberty."
• "What percentage of barracks reviews at Fort Hood report mold?"
• "How do service members rate the DFACs at Camp Lejeune?"
• "Show medical and CDC facility reviews for Army bases in Texas."

Available Tools

| Tool | Description | |---|---| | hotscots_health | Verify your API key and confirm the service is reachable | | hotscots_list_installations | All installations with barracks, dining, and other review counts | | hotscots_get_barracks_reviews | Paginated barracks / housing (Cots) reviews | | hotscots_get_dfac_reviews | Paginated dining facility / DFAC (Hots) reviews | | hotscots_get_other_reviews | Reviews for medical, CDC, gym, PX/BX, lodging, and moving services |

Architecture

Claude Desktop / Cursor / AI client
        ↓  MCP protocol (stdio)
@hotscots/mcp  ← runs locally via npx
        ↓  HTTPS + Bearer token
api.hotscots.app/functions/v1/api
        ↓
Supabase (anonymized, OPSEC-scrubbed review data)

The server runs locally on your machine — your API key never leaves your device.

Environment Variables

| Variable | Required | Description | |---|---|---| | HOTSCOTS_API_KEY | ✅ | Your API key (hc_live_...) | | HOTSCOTS_API_URL | ❌ | Override the API base URL | | TRANSPORT | ❌ | stdio (default) or http for remote/multi-user mode | | PORT | ❌ | HTTP port when TRANSPORT=http (default: 3000) |

Troubleshooting

"HOTSCOTS_API_KEY environment variable is not set"
→ Make sure the env block in your config includes your key and you've fully restarted the client.

"API key not found" or "License inactive"
→ Double-check your key at hotscots.app/subscription/dashboard. Keys must be on an active H&CPro plan.

"Access denied to <endpoint>"
→ Your plan may not include that review type. Check your subscription tier.

Tools aren't showing up
→ Confirm Node.js 18+ is installed (node --version) and try asking Claude to run a health check.

Clean. Safe. Comfort. — hotscots.app
Questions? [email protected]