> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://atlas.rebuildingus.org/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# For developers

> How developers and integrators build on top of Atlas.

## Overview

Atlas exposes a REST API and an MCP server for building civic tech applications, research tools, and integrations.

## What you can build

* **Civic dashboards** — Embed Atlas entity data in geographic visualizations
* **Research automation** — Script multi-city discovery runs and compile results
* **Directory integrations** — Pull Atlas data into your own directory or CMS
* **Monitoring tools** — Watch for new entities in specific places and issue areas
* **AI-assisted research** — Use Atlas from assistants that already support MCP

## Getting started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/docs/api/quickstart">
    Make your first API call in under 5 minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/docs/api/authentication">
    Set up API keys or OAuth 2.1 access.
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP tools" icon="wrench" href="/docs/mcp/tools">
    Use Atlas through AI assistants and agents.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scout CLI" icon="terminal" href="/docs/scout/overview">
    Run local discovery and sync reviewed results.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data model" icon="database" href="/docs/resources/data-model">
    Understand how Atlas data is structured.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Key integration patterns

### Read-only public access

No authentication needed for most read endpoints. Good for embedding Atlas data in public-facing applications:

```bash theme={null}
# Search entities
curl "https://atlas.rebuildingus.org/api/places/kansas-city,missouri/entities?issue_area=housing_affordability"

# Get place coverage
curl "https://atlas.rebuildingus.org/api/places/kansas-city,missouri/coverage"

# Browse the taxonomy
curl "https://atlas.rebuildingus.org/api/issue-areas"
```

Public unauthenticated limit: 30 reads per minute, 10 writes per minute, and 120 total requests per hour.

### Authenticated access

API keys unlock higher rate limits and protected endpoints (discovery runs, entity creation). Available on [Atlas Pro](/docs/account/pricing) (\$5/month):

```bash theme={null}
curl -H "X-API-Key: your-key" \
  https://atlas.rebuildingus.org/api/discovery-runs
```

### MCP for agents

Connect an MCP-compliant client to `https://atlas.rebuildingus.org/mcp` to use Atlas tools from an assistant that already supports the protocol. The client handles OAuth; Atlas publishes the server URL, scopes, and tool reference.

### Scout for local discovery

Use [Scout](/docs/scout/overview) when local scripts or researchers need to run
discovery before syncing reviewed source-backed results to Atlas.

## Self-hosting

If you need full control, Atlas is open source and can be self-hosted. See the [self-hosting guide](/docs/self-hosting/guide).

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API guide" icon="book" href="/docs/api">
    Response format, pagination, filtering, and errors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rate limits" icon="gauge" href="/docs/api/rate-limits">
    Usage limits by plan.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>