mcp-server-prometheus MCP Server: Bridge Between Prometheus Metrics and MCPClients

Overview: What is mcp-server-prometheus?

mcp-server-prometheus is a TypeScript-based MCP server that implements a Prometheus API interface, serving as a crucial bridge between Claude (and other Model Context Protocol [MCP] clients) and a Prometheus metrics server. By facilitating this connection, it enables users to leverage the rich data provided by Prometheus while seamlessly integrating with various AI applications through the MCP's standardized protocol.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

mcp-server-prometheus offers several key features that enhance its utility within the broader ecosystem of AI application development:

1. Metric Schema Access:

• The server lists and provides detailed access to Prometheus metric schemas, ensuring users can understand and utilize each metric effectively.
• Each resource associated with a metric includes:
  • Metric name
  • Description
  • Metadata provided by Prometheus (such as help text and types)
  • Statistical information including count, min, and max values

2. JSON Data Access:

• Metrics are returned in JSON format, which allows for structured data access, enhancing the flexibility of how AI applications can utilize these metrics.

3. Authentication Support:

• The server supports basic authentication to ensure that Prometheus instances with security requirements are properly protected.
• Users can provide a PROMETHEUS_USERNAME and PROMETHEUS_PASSWORD in their environment variables for secure access.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

1. MCP Protocol Flow Diagram

graph TD;
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[mcp-server-prometheus]
    C --> D[Prometheus Metrics Server]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

This diagram illustrates the flow of communication between an AI application (using the MCP Client), the Protocol itself, and ultimately to the mcp-server-prometheus, which then interacts with the Prometheus Metrics Server.

2. MCP Client Compatibility Matrix

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

This matrix highlights the compatibility of mcp-server-prometheus with various MCP clients, showing that it fully supports resources, tools, and prompts for Claude Desktop and Continue. However, Cursor is currently only compatible as a tool provider.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

1. Dependencies Installation

To get started, you will first need to install the required dependencies:

npm install

2. Building the Server

Once dependencies are installed, build the server:

npm run build

For live development and automatic rebuilds during testing, use:

npm run watch

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

mcp-server-prometheus is designed to be used in various AI workflows. Here are two real-world scenarios demonstrating its value:

1. Real-Time Performance Monitoring for Model Training

In a machine learning model training environment, Prometheus metrics provide critical information about the performance of individual tasks and overall job execution. By integrating mcp-server-prometheus with Claude Desktop or similar client tools, users can monitor these metrics in real-time, optimizing resource usage, ensuring data integrity, and enhancing debugging capabilities.

2. Resource Allocation Optimization for Large-Scale AI Projects

For projects involving multiple teams and large datasets, Prometheus metrics about resource utilization (CPU, memory, etc.) are invaluable. Using mcp-server-prometheus to expose these resources through the MCP protocol allows for automated load balancing and dynamic scaling of resources. This integration ensures efficient use of computational power and reduces waste, making AI projects more sustainable.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

mcp-server-prometheus is seamlessly compatible with various MCP clients, including:

• Claude Desktop – A popular open-source AI platform.
• Continue – Another robust AI application that supports various integrations.
• Cursor – Primarily a tool provider, offering specific functionalities like prompt generation.

By using mcp-server-prometheus, users can leverage these advanced features without needing to write custom integration code for each client. The standardized protocol ensures seamless interaction between the server and clients.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

Although detailed compatibility matrices are essential for developers, mcp-server-prometheus is designed to work robustly across a range of Prometheus instances:

• Prometheus URL Configuration: Ensure your PROMETHEUS_URL environment variable points to the correct Prometheus instance.
• Authentication Handling: If needed, configure basic authentication by setting both PROMETHEUS_USERNAME and PROMETHEUS_PASSWORD.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

1. Environment Variable Setup

To customize mcp-server-prometheus's behavior, you can set the following environment variables:

{
  "PROMETHEUS_URL": "http://your-prometheus-instance:9090",
  "PROMETHEUS_USERNAME": "your-username",
  "PROMETHEUS_PASSWORD": "your-password"
}

2. Security Considerations

Ensure that you use secure network protocols to transmit data between mcp-server-prometheus and its MCP clients, especially if you're using the basic authentication feature.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I troubleshoot connectivity issues?

   • Start by checking your Prometheus URL configuration in the environment variables.
   • Ensure that network accessibility to the provided URL is unimpeded.

2. Can I monitor custom metrics added to Prometheus through mcp-server-prometheus?

   • Yes, as long as the custom metrics are defined and visible in the Prometheus interface, they will be accessible via the MCP protocol.

3. What happens if my Prometheus instance goes down?

   • If your Prometheus instance is inaccessible or unreachable, the server will fail to communicate with it. In such cases, review and update your PROMETHEUS_URL environment variable or check network connectivity issues.

4. Can I use other client tools instead of MCP clients?

   • While mcp-server-prometheus is specifically designed for MCP clients, you can explore its source code to adapt it for non-MCP uses if necessary.

5. Is basic authentication the only form of security offered by this server?

   • While basic auth is a secure method, consider other security measures such as token-based authentication or integration with OAuth providers.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributors can enhance mcp-server-prometheus’s capabilities by:

• Improving Documentation: Ensuring clear and concise documentation for users.
• Fixing Bugs: Reporting issues and providing patches to resolve them.
• Adding New Features: Suggesting or implementing additional functionality to extend the server's usefulness.

To contribute, fork the repository on GitHub and submit pull requests after making your changes.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is rapidly growing as a standard for integrating various tools and AI applications. For more information about the protocol and other resources, visit the official MCP documentation or community forums.

• Official Website: Model Context Protocol Official Site
• GitHub Repository: mcp-server-prometheus GitHub

By contributing to and using mcp-server-prometheus, you join a growing community of developers committed to building a more interoperable AI ecosystem.