How to add an MCP server to JetBrains AI Assistant

Add MCP servers to JetBrains AI Assistant in Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP), by pasting JSON, for one project or all projects.

Local servers: Yes; runs stdio servers
Hosted servers: Yes; connects by URL
Config: In the app; how servers are added
Picks: 7; ranked

Open Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP), click Add, paste the server's JSON and choose whether it is global or project-only. AI Assistant supports stdio and Streamable HTTP servers, plus SSE for older ones. If your organization manages AI centrally, an administrator may have set the servers for you and may block adding your own.

Good for

IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm and other JetBrains IDE users who want AI Assistant to reach outside tools
People who want a server in one project only
Claude Desktop users who want to import servers they already set up
Teams whose admin preconfigures servers through JetBrains IDE Services

Install JetBrains AI Assistant

JetBrains

1
Open Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP). Or type / in the AI chat and choose Add Command.
2
Click Add. If you already use Claude Desktop, click Import from Claude instead.
3
In the New MCP Server dialog, paste the JSON configuration for the server.
4
Choose the server level: global, or only the current project.
5
Click OK, then Apply. Check the Status column.

Requires JetBrains IDE with AI Assistant.

AI Assistant takes the same mcpServers JSON that most server READMEs show. The docs page is versioned AI Assistant 2026.2 and states no minimum IDE or plugin version for adding servers.

From the vendor's docs. Source.

At a glance

Where to add: Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP), then Add
Shortcut: Type / in the chat and choose Add Command
Config format: JSON with an mcpServers object, pasted into the New MCP Server dialog
Where servers are managed: The New MCP Server dialog and the settings table
Transports: stdio, Streamable HTTP, and SSE for legacy servers
Scopes: Global, or only the current project (the Server level setting)
Import: Import from Claude copies servers from Claude Desktop
Auto start: Setting: Automatically enable new and changed MCP servers
Logs: Help | Show Log in Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS), then the mcp folder
Admin control: JetBrains IDE Services or JetBrains Central can preset servers and block your own
OAuth, tool limit, minimum version: Not stated on this page

Add an MCP server to JetBrains AI Assistant

1
Open the MCP settings
Go to Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP). Or type / in the AI chat and select Add Command.

Add a local server

Click Add, paste JSON, set a working directory if the server uses relative paths, and pick the server level.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/Users/JohnDoe/Desktop"]
    }
  }
}

3
Or add a remote server
Paste a url instead of a command. It should be the Streamable HTTP address; for an older SSE server use the /sse address.
```
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "microsoftdocs": { "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp" }
  }
}
```
4
Or import from Claude Desktop
Click Import from Claude. Every server in your Claude Desktop config is added to the table.
5
Apply and check the status
Click OK, then Apply. This starts the server. Watch the Status column, and click the icon there to see the tools it offers. Turn on Automatically enable new and changed MCP servers to skip the manual start.
6
Stop, reconnect or change scope
Clear the checkbox and click Apply to stop a server. Select it and click Reconnect to restart. The Level button switches it between global and this project.
7
Use it
Ask in the AI chat. AI Assistant calls the tools on its own, or you can type the tool's / command.
Prompt
```
List the files on my Desktop, then summarize the biggest folder.
```

Best MCP servers for JetBrains AI Assistant

Official servers with an approved PlugWiki page whose transport AI Assistant supports (stdio or HTTP); ordered by GitHub stars, then weekly downloads.

MCP servers that work in JetBrains AI Assistant

40 · official first, then servers with a page, then by stars

Show all 40

Common errors and fixes

Add and Import are limited, or servers already exist
Cause: Your organization manages AI centrally and an administrator preset the servers.
Fix: Ask the administrator whether you can add your own servers.
jetbrains Source
A pasted server does not start
Cause: AI Assistant needs JSON with an mcpServers object holding a command and args, or a url.
Fix: Copy the config from the server's docs and keep that shape.
jetbrains Source
A server is in the table but not running
Cause: Clicking Apply starts a configured server, and a server whose checkbox is cleared is stopped.
Fix: Tick the checkbox and click Apply, or select the server and click Reconnect. Turn on Automatically enable new and changed MCP servers to start them without this step.
jetbrains Source
A server will not connect and the status gives no reason
Cause: The server process failed while starting.
Fix: Open Help | Show Log in Explorer (or Finder), open the mcp folder and read that server's log. Select the server and click Reconnect after fixing it.
jetbrains Source
External clients cannot reach the IDE MCP server
Cause: The MCP Server plugin is disabled or the server is not switched on.
Fix: Enable the plugin in Settings | Plugins, then tick Enable MCP Server in Settings | Tools | MCP Server.
jetbrains Source

Verdict

JetBrains AI Assistant makes adding a server a settings-page job: paste the JSON, pick global or project, apply. It supports stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE and imports from Claude Desktop. The main limit: an admin on IDE Services or JetBrains Central can control which servers you add.

JetBrains AI Assistant makes adding a server a settings-page job: paste the JSON, pick global or project, apply. It supports stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE and imports from Claude Desktop.

The main limit: an admin on IDE Services or JetBrains Central can control which servers you add.

Best for

JetBrains IDE users who want MCP without editing files
Developers moving servers over from Claude Desktop

Skip it if

You need to keep MCP config in git with the project
Your admin blocks custom servers

Questions

How do I add an MCP server to JetBrains AI Assistant?

Go to Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP), click Add, paste the server JSON and click Apply. Typing / in the chat and choosing Add Command opens the same page.

Where is the JetBrains AI Assistant MCP config file?

Servers are added and managed in Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP). Paste the JSON into the New MCP Server dialog and the server appears in the settings table.

Does JetBrains AI Assistant support remote HTTP MCP servers?

Yes. Paste a config with a url. Streamable HTTP is supported, and SSE for legacy servers.

Project or global MCP servers in JetBrains?

Both. Pick the Server level when you add a server, and change it later with the button in the Level column.

Can I import my Claude Desktop MCP servers into JetBrains?

Yes. Click Import from Claude on the MCP settings page, and every Claude Desktop server is added to the table.

How do I stop an MCP server in JetBrains?

Clear its checkbox in the table and click Apply. Click Reconnect to start it again.

Where are the MCP server logs in JetBrains?

In the main menu choose Help, then Show Log in Explorer (Windows) or Show Log in Finder (macOS). Open the mcp folder for each server's log.

Can I use a JetBrains IDE as an MCP server?

Yes, from version 2025.2. Turn on Settings | Tools | MCP Server so tools like Claude Code, Codex or VS Code can reach your IDE. This is separate from adding servers to AI Assistant.

Why can't I add my own MCP server in JetBrains?

If your organization manages AI through JetBrains IDE Services or JetBrains Central, an administrator can preset servers and block your own. Ask them to change the policy.

Does it support Junie?

Junie has its own docs. This AI Assistant page names Junie only as a client that can connect to your IDE's built-in MCP server.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Transports: stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP
MCP docs: jetbrains.com

Docs

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 1

Model Context Protocol (MCP) | AI Assistant Documentation · jetbrains.com