Actian Data Observability : Integrations : Data Observability MCP Server
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Data Observability MCP Server
Overview
The Data Observability's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enables seamless integration with AI assistants like Claude, allowing you to interact with your data quality platform directly through conversational interfaces. This integration provides access to Data Observability's comprehensive set of tools for monitoring, alerting, and data quality management.
What is MCP?
MCP is a standard that allows AI applications to securely connect to external services and data sources. Data Observability's MCP server exposes your data quality platform's capabilities as tools that can be invoked conversationally through compatible AI assistants.
Getting Started
Prerequisites
Before connecting to Data Observability's MCP server, ensure you have:
  • Access to Claude Desktop, Claude.ai, or a compatible MCP client (e.g., VSCode with Cline)
  • Valid Data Observability-Okta credentials
Specific MCP Server details:
  • OAuth client credentials (Client ID and Client Secret) for your application
  • MCP URL for your environment
    Important:
  • You must be added to the associated application in Okta to complete OAuth authentication
  • MCP server URL and client credentials must be obtained from your Data Observability deployment owner
Connecting to Claude
Method 1: Claude Desktop or Claude.ai
Claude supports secure OAuth-based authentication, providing the most seamless integration experience.
Step 1: Access Connector Settings
  1. Open your Claude Desktop application or visit claude.ai
  2. Click your Profile Name or Avatar (usually located on the left sidebar or top corner)
  3. Navigate to Settings
  4. Look for the Connectors or Integrations section
Step 2: Add the Custom Connector
  1. In the Connectors section, click Add custom connector
  2. A configuration dialog will appear with the following fields:
    • Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Data Observability MCP")
    • URL: Enter your Data Observability MCP server URL (e.g., https://mcp.yourdomain.Data Observability.dev/yourorg/mcp)
  3. Click Advanced Details to expand additional options
  4. Enter your OAuth credentials:
    • Client ID: Your Data Observability OAuth application client ID
    • Client Secret: Your Data Observability OAuth application client secret
Step 3: Initiate the OAuth Flow
  1. Click Connect for the newly added server
  2. Claude will recognize that OAuth authentication is required
  3. Your default web browser will automatically open to the Data Observability-Okta login screen
  4. Enter your Data Observability-Okta credentials and sign in
  5. Review and approve the requested permissions
Step 4: Verify the Connection
  1. After successful authorization, your browser will redirect back to Claude
  2. Return to the Connectors section in Claude settings
  3. Your Data Observability MCP server should now display as Connected with a green indicator
Step 5: Start Using Data Observability
  1. Start a new chat in Claude
  2. You can now ask questions about your data quality, create monitors, review alerts, and more
  3. Claude will automatically use Data Observability's MCP tools when relevant to your queries
Example prompts to try:
  • "Show me my recent incidents"
  • "What assets are available in my production project?"
  • "Create a completeness monitor for my customer table"
  • "Get the profiling data for my sales dataset"
Connecting with VSCode Cline
Cline is a VSCode extension that supports MCP servers but requires bearer token authentication instead of OAuth.
Note: Bearer tokens expire after a set period (typically 1 hour). You'll need to regenerate and update the token when it expires.
Step 1: Generate Bearer Token
Run the following command in your terminal to generate an access token:
CLIENT_ID="<your_client_id>"
CLIENT_SECRET="<your_client_secret>"

TOKEN_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -X POST "https://<okta_server>/oauth2/default/v1/token" \
-u "${CLIENT_ID}:${CLIENT_SECRET}" \
-H "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded" \
-d "grant_type=client_credentials&scope=mcp:access")

echo $(echo "$TOKEN_RESPONSE" | jq -r '.access_token')
Prerequisites:
  • Replace <your_client_id> and <your_client_secret> with your actual credentials
  • Ensure curl and jq are installed on your system
The command will output your bearer token. Copy this token for the next step.
Step 2: Configure MCP Server in Cline
  1. Open VSCode with the Cline extension installed
  2. Click the MCP server settings button in the Cline interface
  3. Select Remote Servers
  4. Click Add server details
  5. Provide the following information:
    • Name: Data Observability (or any descriptive name)
    • URL: Your Data Observability MCP server URL (e.g., https://mcp.dev.telm.ai/yourorg/mcp)
Step 3: Add Authorization Header
  1. Click Edit Configuration to open the MCP settings JSON file
  2. Locate the server configuration you just added
  3. Add a headers section with your bearer token:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Data Observability": {
"url": "https://mcp.yourexampledomain.com/commonstock/mcp",
"type": "streamableHttp",
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": [],
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer eyJraWQiOiJ..."
}
}
}
}

Note: Save the configuration file
Step 4: Start Using Data Observability in Cline
  1. Start a new Cline conversation in VSCode
  2. Cline can now access Data Observability's MCP tools
  3. Try asking questions about your data quality or requesting specific operations
Example prompts:
  • "List all my data assets in Data Observability"
  • "Show me open incidents from the last week"
  • "What monitors are configured for my warehouse connection?"
Token Refresh
When your bearer token expires, you'll need to:
  1. Generate a new token using the curl command from Step 1
  2. Update the Authorization header in your Cline configuration
  3. Restart Cline or reload the MCP server connection
Available Tools
Once connected, your AI assistant has access to the following Data Observability capabilities:
  • Asset Management
  • Connection Management
  • Monitors Management
  • Incidents & Alerts
  • Data Quality Metrics
  • Integration & Workflow
  • Project & User Management
Security Considerations
OAuth Authentication (Recommended)
  • Uses industry-standard OAuth 2.0 protocol
  • Tokens are securely managed by Claude
  • Automatic token refresh
  • Immediate revocation through Okta admin console
  • Audit trail of access events
Bearer Token Authentication
  • Tokens expire after a set period (typically 1 hour)
  • Tokens should be treated as passwords—never commit them to version control
  • Regenerate tokens regularly
  • Revoke compromised tokens immediately through Okta
Best Practices
  1. Never share your Client Secret or Bearer Tokens
  2. Use separate OAuth applications for production and development environments
  3. Regularly audit connected applications in your Okta dashboard
  4. Revoke access for applications you no longer use
Troubleshooting
OAuth Connection Issues
  • Problem: Browser doesn't open during OAuth flow
  • Solution: Check your default browser settings and ensure pop-ups are allowed for Claude
  • Problem: "User not authorized" error
  • Solution: Verify that your user account has been added to the Data Observability application in Okta
  • Problem: Connection appears successful but tools don't work
  • Solution: Restart Claude and try reconnecting. Check that your OAuth client has the correct scopes configured
Bearer Token Issues
  • Problem: "Unauthorized" errors when using tools
  • Solution: Your token has likely expired. Generate a new bearer token and update your configuration
  • Problem: Token generation command fails
  • Solution: Verify your Client ID and Client Secret are correct. Ensure curl and jq are installed
General Issues
  • Problem: Can't see Data Observability's tools in Claude
  • Solution: Verify the connection shows as "Connected" in settings. Start a new conversation to refresh available tools
  • Problem: Tools return "not found" errors
  • Solution: Check that you're using the correct MCP server URL for your organization
Last modified date: 02/20/2026