Azure DevOps (ADO) — Claude Code MCP server: install and use
Connects AI coding agents to Azure DevOps through the Model Context Protocol. Useful for inspecting work items, pipelines, repositories, and wikis directly from IDE chats.
claude mcp add --transport http azure-devops https://mcp.dev.azure.comWhat Azure DevOps (ADO) does
The server exposes Azure DevOps REST APIs directly to your AI agent. Microsoft provides two operational modes: a hosted remote HTTP endpoint and a local stdio process. The remote setup requires no installation. It receives features first, and the local process will eventually be retired.
Local tools are organized into domains such as work-items, pipelines, repositories, test-plans, and wiki. Loading every domain at once can easily overwhelm client tool limits. Passing the -d flag restricts the active toolset, though the core domain must stay enabled so the agent can discover project structure.
Local execution requires Node.js 20 or newer alongside authentication via a Microsoft account or azcli. Setting ado_mcp_project and ado_mcp_team as environment variables prevents repeated prompts asking for project names.
What it helps with
- check work items assigned to the current sprint iteration
- inspect build pipelines and recent test run results
- create or update documentation pages inside project wikis
- list Git repositories and project teams across the organization
Example prompts for the agent
- List my work items in the current iteration for the Contoso project
- Check recent build pipeline runs and their status for Contoso
- Create a wiki page at /Architecture/Overview explaining the core services
How to install Azure DevOps (ADO)
Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http azure-devops https://mcp.dev.azure.comPlatform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add azure-devops-ado --url https://mcp.dev.azure.comConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"azure-devops-ado": {
"url": "https://mcp.dev.azure.com"
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"azure-devops-ado": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://mcp.dev.azure.com"
}
}
}Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http azure-devops-ado https://mcp.dev.azure.comStep by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Azure DevOps (ADO)
How to install Azure DevOps (ADO) in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add --transport http azure-devops-ado https://mcp.dev.azure.com in your terminal. This attaches the remote HTTP server without any local package setup.
What does the Azure DevOps (ADO) MCP server do?
It gives coding assistants access to Azure DevOps projects, work items, builds, git repositories, and wiki pages through standard tools.
Should I use the remote server or the local stdio server?
Microsoft recommends the hosted remote server because it needs no local Node.js runtime and gets updates first. The local server remains supported for stdio needs but will eventually be phased out.
