IBM i MCP Server

--- title: "Cline" description: "Configure IBM i MCP Server with Cline VSCode extension" --- Cline is a VSCode extension that brings AI-powered development capabilities with MCP server support. It can be configured through both the marketplace and manual configuration. <Note> **Platform**: VSCode Extension **Transport Modes**: Stdio (local) and HTTP (remote) **Prerequisites**: [Cline](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=saoudrizwan.claude-dev) installed in VSCode </Note> ## Installation Install Cline from the VSCode marketplace: 1. Open VSCode 2. Go to Extensions (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+X) 3. Search for "Cline" 4. Click Install ## Local (Stdio) Setup **Step 1: Open Cline configuration** 1. Open **Cline** in VSCode 2. Click the hamburger menu icon (☰) → **MCP Servers** 3. Choose **Local Servers** tab 4. Click **Edit Configuration** **Step 2: Add configuration** ```json { "mcpServers": { "ibmi-mcp": { "command": "npx", "args": ["@ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest", "-y", "--tools", "/absolute/path/to/tools"], "env": { "DB2i_HOST": "your-ibmi-host.com", "DB2i_USER": "your-username", "DB2i_PASS": "your-password", "DB2i_PORT": "8076", "MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio" } } } } ``` <Warning> The `--tools` path must be an **absolute path**. </Warning> **Step 3: Save and restart** Save the configuration and restart Cline to load the new server. ## Remote (HTTP) Setup **Step 1: Start remote server** ```bash # On server machine npm run start:http ``` **Step 2: Obtain access token** ```bash node get-access-token.js --verbose ``` **Step 3: Open Cline configuration** 1. Open **Cline** 2. Click the hamburger menu icon (☰) → **MCP Servers** 3. Choose **Remote Servers** tab 4. Click **Edit Configuration** **Step 4: Add remote server** ```json { "mcpServers": { "ibmi-mcp": { "url": "http://localhost:3010/mcp", "type": "streamableHttp", "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE" } } } } ``` <Note> Cline uses `"type": "streamableHttp"` for HTTP connections (not just `"http"`). </Note> ## Testing the Connection After configuration: 1. Open Cline panel in VSCode 2. Check that the MCP server appears in the server list 3. Ask "What tools are available?" 4. Test with "Show me the IBM i system status" ## Troubleshooting <AccordionGroup> <Accordion title="Server Not Appearing"> **Solutions**: - Verify JSON syntax in configuration - Restart VSCode (not just Cline) - Check that `npx -y @ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest` works from terminal - Ensure all paths are absolute - Check VSCode Output panel for errors </Accordion> <Accordion title="Connection Failed"> **Solutions**: - Verify IBM i credentials are correct - Check Mapepire is running: `sc check mapepire` - Test connectivity: `ping your-ibmi-host` - Ensure port 8076 is accessible </Accordion> <Accordion title="Authentication Failed (Remote)"> **Solutions**: - Verify server is running: `curl http://localhost:3010/mcp` - Check token hasn't expired - Get fresh token: `node get-access-token.js --verbose` - Ensure `streamableHttp` type is used (not just `http`) </Accordion> <Accordion title="Tools Not Loading"> **Solutions**: - Verify tools path exists and is absolute - Check YAML files are valid: `npm run validate -- --config tools` - Review Cline logs for tool loading errors - Ensure user has database authorities </Accordion> </AccordionGroup> ## Advanced Configuration ### Multiple Environments Configure different servers for dev and production: ```json { "mcpServers": { "ibmi-dev": { "command": "npx", "args": ["@ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest", "-y", "--tools", "/path/to/dev-tools"], "env": { "DB2i_HOST": "dev-ibmi.company.com", "DB2i_USER": "DEVUSER", "DB2i_PASS": "devpass", "MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio" } }, "ibmi-prod": { "url": "https://prod-mcp.company.com/mcp", "type": "streamableHttp", "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer PROD_TOKEN" } } } } ``` ### Custom Toolsets Load specific toolsets for focused workflows: ```json { "mcpServers": { "ibmi-performance": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "@ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest", "-y", "--tools", "/path/to/tools", "--toolsets", "performance,security" ], "env": { "DB2i_HOST": "your-ibmi-host.com", "DB2i_USER": "your-username", "DB2i_PASS": "your-password", "MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio" } } } } ``` ## MCP Marketplace Cline also supports discovering MCP servers through the [Cline MCP Marketplace](https://cline.bot/mcp-marketplace), though manual configuration provides more flexibility for custom setups. ## Next Steps <CardGroup cols={2}> <Card title="SQL Tools" icon="database" href="/sql-tools/overview"> Create custom SQL tools </Card> <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/configuration"> Explore all configuration options </Card> <Card title="Authentication" icon="lock" href="/configuration#ibm-i-authentication-settings"> Set up secure authentication </Card> <Card title="Other Clients" icon="grid" href="/clients/overview"> Explore other MCP clients </Card> </CardGroup> ## Additional Resources - [Cline MCP Documentation](https://docs.cline.bot/mcp/mcp-overview) - [Cline MCP Marketplace](https://cline.bot/mcp-marketplace) - [IBM i MCP Quick Start](/quickstart) - [VSCode Extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=saoudrizwan.claude-dev)