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MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the easiest way to interact with Datafold by empowering AI agents like Claude Code, Cursor, or Windsurf with Datafold’s tools. Run data diffs, query data sources, manage monitors, and more — all through natural language without leaving your development environment.

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Quick Start

All you need is a Datafold API key and a one-line setup in your AI assistant.
1

Get your API key

Go to Settings > Account in the Datafold app and click Create API Key.
2

Connect your AI assistant

For Claude Code, run:
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user \
  datafold https://app.datafold.com/mcp/ \
  --header "Authorization: Key YOUR_API_KEY"
For Cursor, create .cursor/mcp.json in your project:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "datafold": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://app.datafold.com/mcp/",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Key YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}
For other AI assistants, see the full setup guide.
3

Start using Datafold

Ask your AI assistant to interact with Datafold. For example:
  • “List my Datafold data sources”
  • “Run a data diff between table A and table B”
  • “Show me the latest monitor alerts”

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Tool Visibility and Permissions

The tools available to your AI agent depend on the permissions of the API key’s owner. Tools that require permissions the user doesn’t have are automatically hidden from the agent. To scope an agent to a specific set of tools, create a custom group with only the permissions you need, assign it to a service account, and use that service account’s API key. See MCP Tool Permissions for the exact permissions each MCP tool requires.

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Supported Clients

Datafold’s MCP server works with any client that supports the Model Context Protocol, including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code with Cline, Windsurf, Continue.dev, Zed, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, and Kiro.

Full MCP Setup Guide

Detailed setup instructions for all supported clients, troubleshooting, and best practices.