Connecting MCP client to Deploy MCP server

To enable an MCP client to communicate with the HCL DevOps Deploy (Deploy) MCP server, you must define Deploy server connection details within an MCP client's configuration.

You must perform the following tasks for a successful connection of the Deploy MCP server to an MCP client:
  1. Install an MCP client: You can use any MCP client, such as VS Code, Claude and so on, to connect to the Deploy MCP server. Each MCP client has its own specific UI, command-palatte, or dedicated settings file for configuration. You must refer to the independent software vendor documentation for client-specific instructions.
  2. Add Deploy MCP server properties: Edit the client configuration file or settings to add the Deploy MCP server properties. See MCP server properties and Configuration file example.
  3. Start the server: Start the Deploy MCP server from the MCP client.

MCP server properties

Property Description Required Value/Format
"type" Indicates the server connection protocol. Must be set to http only.
"url" Specifies the full Deploy MCP server URL. Use the URL format as: https://deployServer_hostname:deployPort/mcp
"Authorization" Provides the credentials necessary to access the Deploy MCP server. See Authentication options for "Authorization".

Authentication options for "Authorization"

You can use any one of the following methods for authentication:
  • Bearer authentication by providing a valid bearer access token ID in the following format:
    "Authorization": "Bearer tokenID"

    To use bearer authentication, you must ensure that a realm is selected for the bearer authentication in the System Settings. See System settings.

  • Basic authentication by providing a valid access token ID in the following format:
    "Authorization": "Basic <base64 encoding of 'PasswordIsAuthToken:tokenvalue'>"

Configuration file example

The following JSON format illustrates how you can define the Deploy MCP server properties in your VS Code MCP configuration file (mcp.json):
{
	"servers": {
		"devops-deploy-local": {
			"type": "http",
			"url": "https://deployServer_hostname:deployPort/mcp",
			"headers": {
				"Authorization": "Basic <base64 encoding of 'PasswordIsAuthToken:tokenvalue'>"
			}
		}
	},
	"inputs": []
}

After a successful connection is established, you can begin using the integrated MCP tools to perform various deployment tasks. See Using the Deploy MCP tools.