MCP Server

inSCADA MCP Server bridges AI assistants (Claude, VS Code Copilot, Cursor, etc.) directly to your inSCADA SCADA system. Via Model Context Protocol (MCP), 39 tools enable live value reading, alarm monitoring, script writing, historical data analysis, chart generation, and more.

Note: This MCP server is designed for inSCADA JDK11 edition.

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that enables AI assistants to communicate with external systems in a secure, standardized way. With MCP:

• The AI assistant accesses the inSCADA API directly
• Users give commands in natural language; the AI calls the appropriate tools in the background
• Dangerous operations (writing values, running scripts) require user confirmation
• All communication stays on the local machine — no data is sent to third parties

Installation

Two installation methods are available:

Method 1: Extension File (MCPB)

The easiest installation method. Uses a pre-built extension file designed for Claude Desktop.

1. Download inscada-mcp-server.zip from inscada.com/download
2. Extract the ZIP and double-click the .mcpb file — Claude Desktop opens automatically
3. Fill in the form:
   • inSCADA URL: Server address (e.g. http://localhost:8081 or https://server:8082)
   • Username: inSCADA login username
   • Password: inSCADA login password
4. Done! The extension appears in Claude Desktop with its icon and description.

Advantages:

• One-click installation, no JSON file editing needed
• Icon, description, and settings panel visible in Claude Desktop
• Passwords entered in a masked GUI form
• Update by downloading and installing a new .mcpb file

Method 2: JSON Configuration

Suitable for developers and CI/CD environments. You manually edit the Claude Desktop config file.

Config file location:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Add the following JSON to the config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "inscada": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@inscada/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "INSCADA_API_URL": "http://localhost:8081",
        "INSCADA_USERNAME": "your_username",
        "INSCADA_PASSWORD": "your_password"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop.

Advantages:

• npx automatically downloads the latest version on each run
• Compatible with other MCP clients (VS Code Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf)
• Multiple inSCADA servers can be configured
• Flexible configuration via environment variables

Installation Methods Comparison

	Extension (.mcpb)	JSON Config
Setup	Double-click + GUI form	Edit JSON file manually
UI	Icon, description, settings panel	Tools only, no visual UI
Credentials	GUI form, passwords masked	Plain text in JSON
Updates	Download new .mcpb	Update JSON or npx fetches latest
Compatibility	Claude Desktop only	All MCP clients
Best for	End users, operators	Developers, CI/CD

Requirements

• Node.js 18 or higher
• A running inSCADA server (JDK11 edition)
• An MCP-capable AI client (Claude Desktop, VS Code Copilot, Cursor, etc.)

Tools

MCP Server includes 39 tools grouped into 8 categories:

• Space & Data (10) — Space, project, variable, variable search, script, connection management
• Animation (2) — Animation listing and details
• SCADA Operations (10) — Live values, alarms, connection status, historical data
• Charts (5) — Line, bar, gauge, multi-series, forecast charts
• Custom Menu (6) — Menu CRUD operations (template-based creation supported)
• Generic API (3) — Discover and call 625+ endpoints
• Export (1) — Excel file generation
• Guide (2) — Script rules, animation element details, best practices

For usage scenarios, prompt examples, and token optimization: Usage Guide

Security

Dangerous Tools

The following tools affect real equipment and require user confirmation on every use:

• inscada_set_value — Writes values to real equipment (PLC, inverter, etc.)
• inscada_run_script — Executes server-side scripts
• update_script — Modifies script code
• inscada_api (POST/PUT/DELETE) — Modifies data via generic API

These tools are marked with MCP safety annotations (destructiveHint: true). The AI client prompts for user confirmation before calling them.

Credentials

• Credentials are stored only on the local machine (config file or Claude Desktop settings)
• Session tokens are kept in memory and discarded on exit
• No data is sent to third parties

npm Package

MCP Server is published as open source on npm:

npm install -g @inscada/mcp-server

Or run directly with npx:

npx -y @inscada/mcp-server

Package: @inscada/mcp-server GitHub: inscada-app/mcp-desktop-extension

Telemetry

MCP Server collects anonymous usage statistics for product improvement:

• Which tools are called and how often
• Error rates
• Session duration

Data NOT collected:

• SCADA values, variable names, or project information
• Username, password, or personal information
• Messages sent to or responses from the AI assistant

Telemetry is fully anonymous and optional.

Troubleshooting

”Node.js not found” Error

Make sure Node.js 18+ is installed: node --version

Connection Error

• Verify the inSCADA server is running
• Ensure the INSCADA_API_URL address is correct
• Check firewall or proxy settings

Tools Not Visible

• Restart Claude Desktop
• Check JSON syntax in the config file
• Run npx -y @inscada/mcp-server in terminal to view error messages

Antivirus Blocking

Some antivirus software may block .mcpb files. In that case, download the ZIP format and extract the .mcpb file, or use the JSON configuration method.