Configure Google Maps Grounding Lite for the AI Gateway

To allow your users to securely ground AI responses with Google Maps places, routes, and weather context using their AI clients, you can configure the Google Maps Grounding Lite Model Context Protocol (MCP) server within the JumpCloud AI Gateway.

Prerequisites

• Before configuring specific enterprise applications, we recommend reviewing the Get Started: AI Gateway guide to familiarize yourself with the gateway architecture and core AI concepts (such as MCP servers and AI clients).

Completing Application Setup

Prepare the Google Cloud project and API key for Maps Grounding Lite:

1. Select the project in the Google Cloud console.
2. Enable billing for the project.
3. Enable the Maps Grounding Lite API in the API Library.
4. Create an API key or select an existing key that permits access to Maps Grounding Lite.

See Google’s Maps Grounding Lite setup and authentication guide for instructions.

Configuring the Server in JumpCloud

See Adding MCP Servers in Configure AI Gateway Integrations and use the following values to configure this server:

• App: Select Google Maps (if you have an existing SSO application or bookmark), or + Add App to create it
• Name: Enter a name, for example Google Maps Grounding Lite
• Prefix: Enter a value to prepend to MCP tool names
  • Note: Prefixes must be unique. Maximum 8 characters, letters and numbers only
• URL: https://mapstools.googleapis.com/mcp
• MCP Authentication method: Select API Token
• App API documentation link: Enter https://developers.google.com/maps/ai/grounding-lite?hl=en

Your users will now see Google Maps Grounding Lite listed as an available application when they authenticate their AI clients through the JumpCloud AI Gateway. Users enter their API key directly when prompted by the AI Gateway. They can click the documentation link for help creating a key.