What is Nina Advanced Api Mcp

Nina_advanced_api_mcp is an interface designed for AI agents to control astrophotography setups using the N.I.N.A (Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy) Advanced API. It acts as a Model Context Protocol Server (MCP) that facilitates interaction between AI agents and the NINA software.

Use cases

Use cases include automating astrophotography sessions, providing voice-controlled commands for equipment, troubleshooting through intelligent error responses, and integrating AI for better decision-making in imaging processes.

How to use

To use Nina_advanced_api_mcp, ensure you have Python 3.8 or higher, the NINA software with the Advanced API plugin installed, and an AI agent that supports MCP. Clone the repository, set the necessary environment variables, and follow the installation instructions provided in the README.

Key features

Key features include complete equipment control for AI agents (cameras, mounts, focusers, filter wheels, domes, and rotators), AI integration for natural language command processing, contextual help, intelligent error responses, and automated decision-making. It supports most of the NINA advanced API v2 endpoints.

Where to use

Nina_advanced_api_mcp is primarily used in the field of astrophotography, enabling users to automate and enhance their imaging setups through AI integration.

Nina_advanced_api_mcp

Interface for AI agents to use your astrophotography setup using N.I.N.A (Beta)

N.I.N.A Model Context Protocol Server for Advanced API Plugin v2 (MCP)

A powerful interface for controlling N.I.N.A. (Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy) software through its Advanced API NINA Advanced API . This Model Context Protocol Server (MCP) enables AI agents to interact with NINA using tools, providing new way to interact with your setup. Usage with your own responsibility.

🌟 Features

• Complete Equipment Control for AI agents

  • Cameras (capture, cooling, settings, connecting …)
  • Mounts (slewing, parking, tracking…)
  • Focusers (movement, temperature compensation … )
  • Filter Wheels (filter selection, info …)
  • Domes (rotation, shutter control …)
  • Rotators (movement, sync…)
  • …

• AI Integration

  • Natural language command processing
  • Contextual help system
  • Intelligent error responses
  • Automated decision making

• **Most of the NINA advanced API v2 api interface endpoints supported

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8 or higher
• NINA software with Advanced API plugin
• uv package manager
• AI agent with MCP support (e.g., Claude)

Installation

1. Install NINA Advanced API Plugin

   # Install the plugins in NINA
   # Enable and configure in NINA settings
   

2. Clone Repository

   git clone https://github.com/PaDev1/Nina_advanced_api_mcp.git
   cd nina-mcp
   

3. Set Environment Variables

   # Create .env file
   NINA_HOST=your_nina_host
   NINA_PORT=1888
   LOG_LEVEL=INFO
   IMAGE_SAVE_DIR=~/Desktop/NINA_Images
   

Configuration

MCP Server Setup

Add to your AI agent’s MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nina_advanced_mcp_api": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--with",
        "fastmcp,fastapi,uvicorn,pydantic,aiohttp,requests,python-dotenv",
        "fastmcp",
        "run",
        "path/nina_advanced_mcp.py"
      ],
      "env": {
        "NINA_HOST": "NINA_IP",
        "NINA_PORT": "1888",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "INFO",
        "IMAGE_SAVE_DIR": "~/Desktop/NINA_Images"
      }
    }
  }
}

📚 Usage

Basic AI Examples with Claude Destop

• Connect to nina
• read the setup
• connect my camera, mount, filter wheel and guider
• read the sequesces and let me select the sequence to start

AI Agent Commands

- "Take a 30-second exposure of M31"
- "Connect all equipment and start cooling the camera to -10°C"
- "Start a sequence targeting NGC 7000"
- "Get the current equipment status"

📖 API Documentation

Core Modules

Equipment Control

• Camera operations
• Mount control
• Focuser management
• Filter wheel control
• Dome automation
• Rotator functions

Imaging

• Capture configuration
• Image processing
• File management
• Statistics gathering

System

• Connection handling
• Status monitoring
• Error management
• Configuration

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please read our Contributing Guidelines first.

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Commit your changes
4. Push to the branch
5. Create a Pull Request

🐛 Bug Reports

Found a bug? Please open an issue with:

• Detailed description
• Steps to reproduce
• Expected vs actual behavior
• System information

📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• NINA - The core astronomy software
• NINA Advanced API - API documentation

🔗 Related Projects

• Touch’N’Stars - WebApp for Mobile Control of NINA
• NINA Plugins - Official NINA plugin repository