datanika-mcp — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
MCP server connecting your coding assistant to Datanika to explore data tables, inspect dbt models, and monitor ELT workflows.
claude mcp add --env DATANIKA_URL=<DATANIKA_URL> --env DATANIKA_API_KEY=<DATANIKA_API_KEY> --env DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE=<DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE> --transport stdio datanika-mcp -- uvx datanika-mcpWhat datanika-mcp does
The server connects agent environments to Datanika instances over stdio using uvx. By default, access stays strictly read-only: you can inspect source schemas, fetch table row samples, run analytical queries, and compile dbt SQL transformations safely.
Modifying data or pipelines requires special privileges. Creating connections, scheduling uploads, or triggering runs is blocked until you provide the --allow-write argument or configure DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE=true in your environment.
When self-hosting Datanika, direct --url to backend port 8000, because the frontend listening on port 3000 has no API routes. Every request requires an active DATANIKA_API_KEY.
What it helps with
- inspect database schemas and preview sample table rows
- compile dbt transformations without writing to the warehouse
- review execution logs for pipeline runs
- trigger ELT uploads and dbt pipeline executions
Example prompts for the agent
- Inspect the database schema and preview 10 rows from the orders table
- Compile the customer analytics dbt model and show preview rows
- Fetch the execution logs for the latest pipeline run
How to install datanika-mcp
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env DATANIKA_URL=<DATANIKA_URL> --env DATANIKA_API_KEY=<DATANIKA_API_KEY> --env DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE=<DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE> --transport stdio datanika-mcp -- uvx datanika-mcpReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from datanika-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add datanika-mcp --env DATANIKA_URL=<DATANIKA_URL> --env DATANIKA_API_KEY=<DATANIKA_API_KEY> --env DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE=<DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE> -- uvx datanika-mcpReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from datanika-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"datanika-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"datanika-mcp"
],
"env": {
"DATANIKA_URL": "<DATANIKA_URL>",
"DATANIKA_API_KEY": "<DATANIKA_API_KEY>",
"DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE": "<DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from datanika-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"datanika-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"datanika-mcp"
],
"env": {
"DATANIKA_URL": "<DATANIKA_URL>",
"DATANIKA_API_KEY": "<DATANIKA_API_KEY>",
"DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE": "<DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from datanika-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e DATANIKA_URL=<DATANIKA_URL> -e DATANIKA_API_KEY=<DATANIKA_API_KEY> -e DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE=<DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE> datanika-mcp uvx datanika-mcpReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from datanika-mcp <command>
Step 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 datanika-mcp
How to install datanika-mcp in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add datanika-mcp -e DATANIKA_API_KEY=<DATANIKA_API_KEY> -- uvx datanika-mcp with your actual API token.
What does datanika-mcp do?
It gives your assistant tools to browse catalogs, run read-only queries, and supervise dbt transformations inside Datanika.
How do you enable write actions and trigger runs?
Add the --allow-write CLI flag or set the DATANIKA_ALLOW_WRITE=true environment variable in your client configuration.
