jira-mcp-server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that lets AI assistants create, search, and manage Jira issues. Authenticates using Chrome browser cookies, so it works seamlessly with SSO-protected Jira Cloud instances -- no API tokens needed.

How it works

Instead of requiring a Jira API token, this server extracts session cookies from your Chrome browser. If you're logged into Jira in Chrome, the server can make API calls using your existing session. This is especially useful for organizations that use SSO (Azure AD, Okta, etc.) where generating long-lived API tokens isn't practical.

Related MCP server: JIRA MCP Server

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+

• Google Chrome (or Chromium) on Linux

• An active Jira Cloud session in Chrome (log in before using)

• Chrome must not be running, or its cookie database must be unlockable

Quick start

git clone https://github.com/chaholl/jira-mcp-server.git
cd jira-mcp-server
npm install
npm run build
npm run setup   # interactive wizard -- discovers your Jira instance config

The setup wizard will:

1. Ask for your Jira base URL and project key

2. Verify authentication via Chrome cookies

3. Auto-discover issue types, priorities, and custom fields from your Jira instance

4. Write a jira-config.json file (gitignored)

MCP tools

Configuration

Setup wizard (recommended)

npm run setup

This interactively discovers your Jira instance's issue types, priorities, and custom fields, then writes jira-config.json.

Manual configuration

Alternatively, set environment variables:

export JIRA_BASE_URL="https://your-org.atlassian.net"
export JIRA_PROJECT_KEY="MYPROJECT"

Or create jira-config.json in the project root:

{
  "jiraBaseUrl": "https://your-org.atlassian.net",
  "projectKey": "MYPROJECT",
  "issueTypes": {
    "story": "10001",
    "bug": "10004",
    "task": "10002"
  },
  "priorities": {
    "critical": "1",
    "high": "2",
    "medium": "3",
    "low": "4"
  },
  "customFields": {
    "acceptance_criteria": "customfield_11083"
  }
}

Adding to your MCP client

Claude Code

claude mcp add jira -- node /path/to/jira-mcp-server/dist/index.js

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jira": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/jira-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Limitations

• Linux only -- Chrome cookie extraction uses Linux-specific paths and secret-tool for keyring access

• Chrome/Chromium only -- does not support Firefox, Safari, or other browsers

• Session-based -- if your Jira session expires in Chrome, you'll need to log in again

• Single project -- configured for one Jira project at a time

License

MIT