---
title: "IBM i MCP Server"
description: "Production-grade MCP server for IBM i database operations with YAML-based SQL tools, authentication, and AI agent development."
---
# IBM i MCP Server
A production-ready **Model Context Protocol (MCP) server** that enables AI agents to securely access IBM i database operations through YAML-configured SQL tools. Purpose-built for enterprise IBM i environments with comprehensive authentication, observability, and security features.
## Quick Start
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Get Started" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
Set up your server and connect AI agents in 15 minutes
</Card>
<Card title="Build Agents" icon="robot" href="/agents/building-agents">
Create specialized IBM i agents using agno and filtered toolsets
</Card>
</CardGroup>
## Key Features
### 🔌 Core Infrastructure
- **MCP Server**: Supports stdio and streamable HTTP transport with comprehensive tooling
- **Observability**: Built-in OpenTelemetry tracing, metrics, and performance monitoring
- **Type Safety & Security**: TypeScript with Zod validation, sanitization, and auth middleware
- **Error Handling**: Consistent error categorization, detailed logging, and centralized handling
### 🚀 Production Ready
- **Production Utilities**: Logging, error handling, rate limiting, and request context tracking
- **Performance Metrics**: Automatic measurement of execution time and payload size
- **Integration Testing**: Vitest-based testing with coverage reporting and fast feedback
- **Interaction Logging**: Full traceability with dedicated logging for all LLM interactions
### 🤖 Agent Development
- **Agent Ready**: Developer cheatsheet and tools tailored for LLM coding agents
- **Services Integration**: Reusable modules for LLM and data storage with examples
- **Utility Scripts**: Build management, permissions, directory trees, and OpenAPI specs
- **Documentation**: Comprehensive guides, JSDoc comments, and API references
## Documentation
<CardGroup cols={3}>
<Card title="SQL Tools Guide" icon="database" href="/sql-tools/building-tools">
Create and configure YAML-based SQL tools with parameters and validation
</Card>
<Card title="Server Architecture" icon="sitemap" href="/concepts/architecture">
Understand the server design and component interactions
</Card>
<Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/configuration">
Environment variables and deployment configuration options
</Card>
</CardGroup>
## For IBM i Professionals
<Note>
**Prerequisites**: This server requires appropriate IBM i authorities and database access. Ensure your user profile has necessary permissions for intended operations.
</Note>
## Common Workflows
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="I'm new to MCP" icon="info">
Start with the [MCP Overview](/concepts/mcp-overview) to understand how the Model Context Protocol connects AI agents to IBM i systems.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="I want to deploy quickly" icon="rocket">
Follow the [Quick Start Guide](/quickstart) to get your server running and connected to agents in 15 minutes.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="I need to create SQL tools" icon="database">
Learn the [YAML SQL Tools system](/sql-tools/building-tools) to create database operations without writing code.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="I'm building AI agents" icon="robot">
Explore [agent development patterns](/agents/building-agents) using agno and FilteredMCPTools for IBM i specialization.
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
## Resources
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="GitHub Repository" icon="github" href="https://github.com/IBM/ibmi-mcp-server.git">
Source code, issues, and community contributions
</Card>
<Card title="API Reference" icon="book" href="/api/auth-endpoints">
Complete API documentation for authentication and endpoints
</Card>
</CardGroup>
