DDA MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for controlling astronomy equipment. Supports Dark Dragons Astronomy devices and any ASCOM Alpaca-compatible equipment.

Installation

npm install -g @darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-server

Or run directly with npx:

npx @darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-server

Configuration

Claude Desktop

Add to your Claude Desktop configuration file:

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dda": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add dda -- npx @darkdragonsastro/dda-mcp-server

Tools

Device Discovery

Tool	Description
discover_devices	Discover Dark Dragons Astronomy devices on the local network via UDP broadcast
discover_alpaca_devices	Discover ASCOM Alpaca devices on the local network

Dark Dragons Astronomy Devices

DragonLAIR (Roll-off Roof Controller)

Tool	Description
get_device_status	Get the current status of a device
get_device_settings	Get device settings including safety config, location, and motor settings
open_roof	Open the observatory roof
close_roof	Close the observatory roof
abort_roof	Abort the current roof operation
get_mount_sensors	Get status of mount sensors connected to a DragonLAIR
locate_device	Make a device beep/flash to help locate it physically

Mount Sensor

Tool	Description
get_mount_sensor_status	Get status of a standalone Mount Sensor (pitch, roll, safe position)

DragonLIGHT (Flat Panel Controller)

Tool	Description
get_flat_panel_status	Get flat panel status (on/off, brightness)
turn_on_flat_panel	Turn on the flat panel light
turn_off_flat_panel	Turn off the flat panel light
set_flat_panel_brightness	Set brightness level (0-255)

ASCOM Alpaca Devices

All Alpaca devices must first be connected using alpaca_device_connect.

Connection Management

Tool	Description
alpaca_device_connect	Connect or disconnect any Alpaca device

Telescope

Tool	Description
alpaca_telescope_status	Get telescope position, tracking state, and slewing status
alpaca_telescope_slew	Slew to coordinates (RA/Dec or Alt/Az)
alpaca_telescope_park	Park or unpark the telescope
alpaca_telescope_tracking	Enable or disable tracking
alpaca_telescope_abort	Abort any slew in progress

Camera

Tool	Description
alpaca_camera_status	Get camera temperature, cooler state, and exposure status
alpaca_camera_cooler	Control cooler on/off and set target temperature
alpaca_camera_expose	Start a light or dark exposure
alpaca_camera_abort	Abort the current exposure

Focuser

Tool	Description
alpaca_focuser_status	Get focuser position, temperature, and movement state
alpaca_focuser_move	Move focuser to a specific position
alpaca_focuser_halt	Halt focuser movement

Filter Wheel

Tool	Description
alpaca_filterwheel_status	Get current filter position and available filters
alpaca_filterwheel_set	Change to a specific filter position

Dome

Tool	Description
alpaca_dome_status	Get dome shutter state, position, and slewing status
alpaca_dome_shutter	Open or close the dome shutter
alpaca_dome_slew	Slew dome to a specific azimuth

Rotator

Tool	Description
alpaca_rotator_status	Get rotator position and movement state
alpaca_rotator_move	Move rotator to absolute or relative position
alpaca_rotator_halt	Halt rotator movement

Switch

Tool	Description
alpaca_switch_status	Get status of all switches on a device
alpaca_switch_set	Set a switch on or off
alpaca_switch_set_value	Set a switch to a specific value

Cover Calibrator

Tool	Description
alpaca_covercalibrator_status	Get cover and calibrator state
alpaca_covercalibrator_cover	Open, close, or halt the cover
alpaca_covercalibrator_calibrator	Turn calibrator on (with brightness) or off

Safety Monitor

Tool	Description
alpaca_safetymonitor_status	Get safety monitor status (safe/unsafe)

Observing Conditions (Weather)

Tool	Description
alpaca_observingconditions_status	Get weather data (temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover, etc.)

Supported Devices

Dark Dragons Astronomy

• DragonLAIR - Roll-off roof controller with mount sensor integration
• DragonLIGHT - Flat panel controller for calibration frames
• Mount Sensor - Detects telescope position for safe roof operation

ASCOM Alpaca Compatible

Any device implementing the ASCOM Alpaca API:

• Telescopes / Mounts
• Cameras (CCD/CMOS)
• Focusers
• Filter Wheels
• Domes
• Rotators
• Switches / Power Controllers
• Cover Calibrators / Flat Panels
• Safety Monitors
• Weather Stations

License

ISC