sathishsec2563/MCP-Jira-Server--MCP-inspector

🧰 MCP Jira Server & MCP Inspector Setup Guide

🎯 Goal

Set up and test a Python-based MCP server that connects to a Jira Cloud community instance using the MCP Inspector.

🧩 Prerequisites

• macOS (tested on macOS Sonoma or newer)
• Python 3.11+
• Node.js v22.7.5 or later
• MCP Inspector v0.17.2
• Jira Cloud Community Instance
• API token from Atlassian

⚙️ Step 1: Create a Jira Community Instance

1. Go to Atlassian Jira.
2. Create or log in to your Jira Cloud community instance (e.g., myteam.atlassian.net).
3. Create at least one sample issue (e.g., KAN-1) for testing.

🔑 Step 2: Generate a Jira API Token

1. Visit Atlassian API Tokens.
2. Click Create API token → name it (e.g., MCP Server Token).
3. Copy the generated token --- you'll add it to the Python script.

🐍 Step 3: Set Up and Run the Python MCP Server

cd mcp_jira_server
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install fastmcp requests

Edit mcp_jira_server.py:

JIRA_DOMAIN = "your-domain.atlassian.net"
JIRA_EMAIL = "your-email@example.com"
JIRA_API_TOKEN = "your-api-token"

Run the server:

python mcp_jira_server.py

Expected output:

🚀 Starting MCP Jira Server ...
Connecting to https://your-domain.atlassian.net as your-email@example.com

🧠 Step 4: Verify the Server is Running

Check that the server starts without errors.
It should stay running and display connection logs.

🧩 Step 5: Install and Launch MCP Inspector

node -v
npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/inspector
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector

Expected output:

⚙️ Proxy server listening on localhost:6277
🔑 Session token: b94156657...
🌐 MCP Inspector is up and running at:
   http://localhost:6274/?MCP_PROXY_AUTH_TOKEN=b94156657...

🖥️ Step 6: Open MCP Inspector UI

Click the provided localhost link --- the Inspector opens in your browser.

🧩 Step 7: Configure MCP Inspector Connection

7.1 Create STDiO Connection

1. Transport Type: STDiO\
2. Command: python3\
3. Arguments: /Users/<yourusername>/mcp-jira-server/mcp_jira_server.py\
4. Check environment variables (HOME, PATH, SHELL).\
5. Click Restart → status should show Connected.

7.2 Verify Connection & Run Tool

1. Go to Tools tab → click List Tools.\
2. Select get_jira_issue and enter a Jira issue ID (e.g., KAN-4).\
3. Click Run Tool.\
4. The JSON response from Jira should appear.

Example:

{
  "id": "KAN-4",
  "fields": {
    "summary": "Sample Jira Issue",
    "status": { "name": "To Do" }
  }
}

7.3 Confirm Server Output

In the terminal where you started the MCP server:

🚀 Starting MCP Jira Server ...
Connecting to https://your-domain.atlassian.net as your-email@example.com

🧯 Troubleshooting

Issue Possible Fix

401 Unauthorized Verify JIRA_EMAIL and JIRA_API_TOKEN are correct.

ModuleNotFoundError: Run pip install fastmcp requests. fastmcp

✅ Confirmation

When: - MCP Inspector shows Connected - Tool list includes get_jira_issue - JSON output returns Jira issue data

✅ Your MCP--Jira integration is successful! 🎉