Installing and configuring the MCP server

You must install and configure the MCP server on your local computer.

System requirements

Software prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

System requirements
Component	Requirement	Notes
Python	Version 3.11 or later	Download Python
Package manager	uv	Install uv
IBM Cloud account	Active account	Register for IBM Cloud

IBM watsonx.data requirements

You must have access to the following IBM watsonx.data resources:

watsonx.data instance: A provisioned and running instance
- Provision a lite plan instance and Provision an enterprice plan instance
- Set up watsonx.data lite plan
IBM Cloud API key: An API key with appropriate permissions
- Create an API key

Required configuration information

Collect the following information before installation:

Base URL: The URL of your watsonx.data instance
- Format: "https://your-instance.lakehouse.cloud.ibm.com/lakehouse/api/lakehouse/api
Instance CRN: The Cloud Resource Name of your instance. To find CRN, refer Getting connection information.
- Format: crn:v1:bluemix:public:lakehouse:us-south/a/...
- To locate your Instance CRN:
1. Log in to the watsonx.data console.
2. On the Instance details or Configuration page, locate the CRN field in the details section.
3. Click the copy icon next to the CRN to copy it to your clipboard.
IAM API Key: Your IBM Cloud API key with watsonx.data access permissions.

Installing the MCP Server

You can install the IBM watsonx.data MCP Server using one of the following methods:

Installing with pipx

Run the following code to install pipx if not already installed.
```
pip install pipx
```
Run the following code to install the MCP server.
```
pipx install ibm-watsonxdata-mcp-server
```

Installing with pip

Use this method if you prefer to install the server in your user Python environment.

Run the following code to install the MCP server.
```
pip install --user ibm-watsonxdata-mcp-server
```

To install MCP sever for development setup, refer IBM watsonx.data MCP Server.

Configuring the MCP server

After installation, configure your agents to communicate with the MCP server.

Find the MCP server executable

Complete the steps below to locate the MCP server executable based on your operating system. You will use this path when configuring your agents.

macOS or Linux

Open a terminal and run:
```
which ibm-watsonxdata-mcp-server
```
Windows (PowerShell)

Open PowerShell and run:
```
where.exe ibm-watsonxdata-mcp-server
```

Connect your Agents with MCP Server

After locating the MCP server executable, configure your agents to connect to the server. See the following topics for specific instructions:

Querying data with the MCP tool

After configuration with AI agents, you can interact with your watsonx.data instance through natural language conversations with your agent. For more information, see Querying data with the MCP tool.