Airflow + JetBrains AI Assistant: Complete MCP Integration

Airflow is a MCP server that A MCP Server that connects to Apache Airflow using official python client..

When integrated with JetBrains AI Assistant, you can:

• List all available DAGs in Airflow
• Manually trigger a DAG run
• Get DAG run history and status

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to set up Airflow in JetBrains AI Assistant, including configuration, examples, and troubleshooting.

What You'll Achieve

After completing this setup:

• Airflow will be fully integrated and operational
• You can use Airflow tools directly in JetBrains AI Assistant
• All Airflow capabilities will be available for your workflows
• Access to 5 different tools

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Airflow webserver host URL
• Airflow authentication username
• Airflow authentication password
• JetBrains AI Assistant installed and configured
• Compatible operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Installation

Step 1: Install Airflow

Configuration

Step 2: Configure JetBrains AI Assistant

1. Locate your configuration file:

   • Windows: Settings > Tools > AI Assistant > Model Context Protocol (MCP)
   • macOS: Preferences > Tools > AI Assistant > Model Context Protocol (MCP)
   • Linux: Settings > Tools > AI Assistant > Model Context Protocol (MCP)

2. Add server configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "airflow": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "airflow"],
      "env": {
        "AIRFLOW_HOST": "http://localhost:8080",
        "AIRFLOW_USERNAME": "admin",
        "AIRFLOW_PASSWORD": "admin_password",
        "AIRFLOW_READ_ONLY": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Restart JetBrains AI Assistant

Completely quit and restart JetBrains AI Assistant to load the new configuration.

Examples

Once configured, you can use Airflow in JetBrains AI Assistant:

Pipeline Monitoring

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Ask JetBrains AI Assistant: "Check status of all DAGs and recent failures"

Expected Result: undefined

Manual DAG Execution

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Ask JetBrains AI Assistant: "Trigger monthly_report DAG with date parameter"

Expected Result: undefined

Troubleshooting Failed Tasks

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Ask JetBrains AI Assistant: "Show failed tasks in data_pipeline and their error logs"

Expected Result: undefined

Testing Your Setup

1. Start a new conversation in JetBrains AI Assistant
2. Ask JetBrains AI Assistant to list available tools
3. Try using Airflow functionality

Test prompts:

• "Type / and look for Airflow tools in the command list"
• "Ask AI Assistant to use Airflow for a specific task"
• "Check the MCP settings page for connection status indicator"

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

MCP Server Not Connecting

Symptoms: Server status shows disconnected, Tools not appearing in chat, Connection timeout

Cause: Server configuration incorrect or server not starting

Solution:

• Verify server command is correct and executable
• Check environment variables are set properly
• View MCP logs: Help > Show Log in Explorer > mcp folder
• Test server command in terminal manually

Remote Server Not Supported

Symptoms: HTTP server not connecting, SSE transport errors

Cause: AI Assistant only supports stdio transport for client connections

Solution:

• Use mcp-remote proxy for remote servers
• Configuration: npx -y mcp-remote@latest https://server-url/endpoint
• This wraps HTTP/SSE in stdio transport

Import from Claude Not Working

Symptoms: No servers imported, Configuration empty after import

Cause: Claude Desktop config file not found or in unexpected location

Solution:

• Verify Claude Desktop is installed
• Check config exists at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS)
• Or %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Windows)
• Manually copy configuration if auto-import fails

External Client Cannot Connect to IDE Server

Symptoms: Client shows MCP server unavailable, Connection refused

Cause: IDE MCP server not enabled or client not configured

Solution:

• Enable MCP Server in Settings > Tools > MCP Server
• Use Auto-Configure for supported clients
• Restart both IDE and external client
• Check firewall allows local connections

Brave Mode Commands Not Running

Symptoms: Terminal commands require confirmation, Workflow interrupted by prompts

Cause: Brave mode not enabled

Solution:

• Enable in Settings > Tools > MCP Server
• Check "Run shell commands without confirmation (brave mode)"
• Use with caution - commands run without confirmation

Airflow not appearing in JetBrains AI Assistant

Symptoms: Server not listed, Tools not available

Cause: Configuration or installation issue

Solution:

• Verify configuration syntax
• Check Airflow installation
• Restart JetBrains AI Assistant
• Check logs for error messages

Next Steps

Now that Airflow is integrated with JetBrains AI Assistant:

• Explore all Airflow capabilities through JetBrains AI Assistant
• Check out other MCP servers that work with JetBrains AI Assistant
• Join the MCP community for tips and support
• Consider contributing to Airflow development

Need Help?

• Search for Airflow documentation
• Check the JetBrains AI Assistant MCP guide
• Join the MCP community discussions