beginner⏱️ 18-28 minutes📅 Updated June 2026

Step-by-step guide to integrate Alibaba Cloud DataWorks MCP server with JetBrains AI Assistant. Includes list_projects and create_workflow.

Alibaba Cloud DataWorks + JetBrains AI Assistant: Complete MCP Integration

Alibaba Cloud DataWorks is a MCP server that A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides tools for AI, allowing it to interact with the DataWorks Open API through a standardized interface. This implementation is based on the Alibaba Cloud Open API and enables AI agents to perform cloud resources operations seamlessly..

When integrated with JetBrains AI Assistant, you can:

  • List all DataWorks projects in the account
  • Create new data processing workflows
  • Configure and manage data source connections

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

What You'll Achieve

After completing this setup:

  • Alibaba Cloud DataWorks will be fully integrated and operational
  • You can use Alibaba Cloud DataWorks tools directly in JetBrains AI Assistant
  • All Alibaba Cloud DataWorks capabilities will be available for your workflows
  • Access to 6 different tools

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • Alibaba Cloud access key ID
  • Alibaba Cloud access key secret
  • Alibaba Cloud region
  • JetBrains AI Assistant installed and configured
  • Compatible operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Installation

Step 1: Install Alibaba Cloud DataWorks

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": {
    "alibaba-cloud-dataworks": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "alibaba-cloud-dataworks"],
      "env": {
        "ALIBABA_CLOUD_ACCESS_KEY_ID": "LTAI4G8vQZ2XxxxxxxxxxX",
        "ALIBABA_CLOUD_ACCESS_KEY_SECRET": "2vQZ2Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
        "ALIBABA_CLOUD_REGION": "cn-hangzhou",
        "DATAWORKS_PROJECT_ID": "12345"
      }
    }
  }
}

  1. Restart JetBrains AI Assistant

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

Examples

Once configured, you can use Alibaba Cloud DataWorks in JetBrains AI Assistant:

Enterprise Data Pipeline Management

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Ask JetBrains AI Assistant: "Create and schedule end-to-end data pipeline from CRM to analytics warehouse"

Expected Result: undefined

Multi-Source Data Integration

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Ask JetBrains AI Assistant: "Set up data integration from ERP, CRM, and marketing automation systems"

Expected Result: undefined

Data Quality Monitoring

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Ask JetBrains AI Assistant: "Set up data quality rules and monitoring for all critical tables"

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 Alibaba Cloud DataWorks functionality

Test prompts:

  • "Type / and look for Alibaba Cloud DataWorks tools in the command list"
  • "Ask AI Assistant to use Alibaba Cloud DataWorks 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

Alibaba Cloud DataWorks not appearing in JetBrains AI Assistant

Symptoms: Server not listed, Tools not available

Cause: Configuration or installation issue

Solution:

  • Verify configuration syntax
  • Check Alibaba Cloud DataWorks installation
  • Restart JetBrains AI Assistant
  • Check logs for error messages

Next Steps

Now that Alibaba Cloud DataWorks is integrated with JetBrains AI Assistant:

  • Explore all Alibaba Cloud DataWorks 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 Alibaba Cloud DataWorks development

Need Help?

Related Resources

More Integrations

Explore other MCP servers that work with JetBrains AI Assistant

Need Help?

Join the MCP community for support and discussions

Alibaba Cloud DataWorks + JetBrains AI Assistant: MCP Setup Guide (2026)