Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Kibana MCP Server

Q: What is a Kibana MCP Server? A: A Kibana MCP Server allows you to access and manage your Kibana instance using natural language queries through an MCP-compatible client like Claude Desktop. It acts as a bridge, translating natural language into Kibana API calls.

Q: What is MCP? A: MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It’s an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to Large Language Models (LLMs), enabling them to interact with external data sources and tools.

Q: How does the Kibana MCP Server work with UBOS? A: The Kibana MCP Server is available on the UBOS Asset Marketplace. UBOS is a full-stack AI Agent Development Platform that helps you orchestrate AI Agents and connect them with your enterprise data. The MCP Server extends UBOS’s capabilities by providing a pre-built integration with Kibana.

Q: What are the key features of the Kibana MCP Server? A: Key features include natural language access, MCP compatibility, secure authentication, SSL/TLS support, Kibana API exposure, dynamic API management, type-safe design, and two prompt modes in Claude Desktop (Tool-based and Resource-based).

Q: What are the different prompt modes in Claude Desktop? A: The Tool-based prompt mode allows Claude Desktop to directly call server tools for a guided experience, while the Resource-based prompt mode allows Claude Desktop to interact with the server via resource URIs for direct data access.

Q: What environment variables are required to configure the Kibana MCP Server? A: Required environment variables include KIBANA_URL, KIBANA_USERNAME, and KIBANA_PASSWORD. Optional variables include KIBANA_CA_CERT, KIBANA_TIMEOUT, KIBANA_MAX_RETRIES, and NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED.

Q: Is SSL/TLS encryption supported? A: Yes, the server supports SSL/TLS encryption and custom CA certificate support for secure communication with your Kibana instance.

Q: Where can I find the Kibana MCP Server? A: You can find the Kibana MCP Server on the UBOS Asset Marketplace.

Q: What versions of Kibana are supported? A: The server is based on the official Elastic Kibana API documentation and OpenAPI YAML specification from Elastic Stack 8.x (ES8).

Q: What are some example queries I can use with the Kibana MCP Server? A: Examples include “What is the status of my Kibana server?”, “List all available Kibana API endpoints”, and “Show details for the POST /api/saved_objects/_find endpoint.”

Q: Do I need to be a technical expert to use the Kibana MCP Server? A: No, the natural language interface makes it accessible to users of all technical skill levels. However, advanced users can leverage the Resource-based prompt mode for direct API access.

Q: Is the Kibana MCP Server an official product of Elastic? A: No, this project is community-maintained and is not an official product of Elastic.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the Kibana MCP Server? A: Check the MCP configuration, ensure the Kibana address is accessible, verify authentication credentials, ensure the CA certificate path is correct (if using a custom CA), and check error messages output in the terminal.

Q: Where can I find the source code for the Kibana MCP Server? A: The source code is available in the project’s repository. Refer to the README.md file for details.

Q: How do I start the server? A: You can start the server using the command npm start after setting the required environment variables.