Firebird MCP Server 🔥

🌐 Language / Idioma: English | Português (Brasil)

Open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Firebird Database, developed for free and independent community use with support for all major releases (Firebird 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0).

Built according to the open industry standards for MCP servers (stdio / JSON-RPC 2.0), ensuring turnkey compatibility with any AI client or IDE: Google Antigravity IDE, Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code (with Cline / Roo Code / Copilot extensions), Windsurf, Zed, and CLI tools.

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🎯 Key Highlights

1. Pure Python Wire Protocol (Zero DLL Dependencies):
   • Connects directly over TCP (default port 3050) using pure Python (firebirdsql).
   • Requires no native C/C++ compilation and eliminates the need to install fbclient.dll (Windows) or libfbclient.so (Linux) on the host running the AI client or IDE.
   • Fully compatible with legacy authentication (Legacy_Auth in FB 2.5) as well as modern pluggable SRP authentication in FB 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0.
2. Multi-Database Support per Project:
   • Allows a single project workspace to declare and manage multiple databases (e.g., main, audit_logs, staging), switching dynamically via chat prompts or tool arguments.
3. Workspace Auto-Discovery (.firebird-mcp.json):
   • Automatically detects database configuration files placed at the root of your project or repository.
4. Execution Plan & Performance Analysis (PLAN):
   • Compiles queries to extract the Firebird optimizer's execution plan (PLAN) without scanning entire datasets, detecting unindexed full-table scans (NATURAL SCAN) and memory/disk sorting bottlenecks (SORT).
5. Strict Query Safety & MVCC Best Practices:
   • fb_query enforces read-only operations (SELECT), guarding against accidental data modification.
   • Commits read transactions immediately upon completion, preventing OAT (Oldest Active Transaction) stalls, garbage collection starvation, and runaway .fdb database file growth.
6. Broad System Catalog Mapping:
   • Comprehensive introspection of Firebird system catalog tables (RDB$), supporting types across versions: BOOLEAN (FB3+), INT128, DECFLOAT(16/34), TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE (FB4+), BLOB SUB_TYPE TEXT/BINARY, and index selectivity (RDB$STATISTICS).

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🗄️ Multi-Database & Per-Project Configuration

Real-world production codebases (such as enterprise ERPs in Delphi, Laravel, or Python) frequently require:

• Different databases per project/workspace.
• Multiple databases within the same project (e.g., operational database ERP_DATA.FDB and audit trail AUDIT_LOGS.FDB).

Where and How to Configure Databases:

Firebird MCP provides two flexible organization patterns:

Option A (Recommended Default): Central Global Catalog (~/.firebird-mcp.json)

Instead of scattering .firebird-mcp.json files across every repository, maintain a single central catalog in your user home directory (~/.firebird-mcp.json on Linux/macOS or C:\Users\YourUser\.firebird-mcp.json on Windows).

In this catalog, you register all databases on your machine and use the "projects" property to specify which projects/repositories use each database:

{
  "default": "erp_main",
  "databases": {
    "erp_main": {
      "host": "localhost",
      "port": 3050,
      "database": "/var/data/ERP_DATA.FDB",
      "user": "SYSDBA",
      "password": "masterkey",
      "charset": "WIN1252",
      "description": "Primary ERP operational database",
      "projects": ["web_projects", "erp-desktop"],
      "tags": ["erp", "financial", "sales"]
    },
    "erp_audit": {
      "host": "localhost",
      "port": 3050,
      "database": "/var/data/AUDIT_LOGS.FDB",
      "user": "SYSDBA",
      "password": "masterkey",
      "charset": "WIN1252",
      "description": "Secondary database for audit trails and logs",
      "projects": ["web_projects", "erp-desktop"],
      "tags": ["audit", "logs", "security"]
    },
    "pos_store": {
      "host": "192.168.1.10",
      "port": 3050,
      "database": "C:\\POS\\STORE.FDB",
      "user": "SYSDBA",
      "password": "masterkey",
      "charset": "WIN1252",
      "description": "Store front checkout database",
      "projects": ["pos-vcl"],
      "tags": ["pos", "cashier"]
    },
    "shared_staging": {
      "host": "localhost",
      "port": 3050,
      "database": "/data/STAGING.FDB",
      "user": "SYSDBA",
      "password": "masterkey",
      "charset": "WIN1252",
      "description": "Shared staging/test database accessible across all projects",
      "projects": []
    }
  }
}

Tip on Shared Databases: Databases with an empty "projects": [] array or "*" are treated as global shared databases and remain visible across all workspaces.

Option B: Local Project Configuration (.firebird-mcp.json)

If you prefer a repository to isolate its own credentials, place a .firebird-mcp.json file in the project root. The MCP checks for a local project file first; if present, it has absolute precedence over the global catalog.

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How the Agent Interacts with Databases:

1. Automatic Workspace Context (CWD):
   • When you open a workspace (e.g., /home/lucas/web_projects), the MCP automatically resolves the active project and filters databases matching that project.
   • Single Database in Project: The MCP auto-selects the database without asking unnecessary questions.
   • Multiple Databases in Project (e.g., main and audit): For generic commands (e.g., "run a select on orders"), the MCP halts and asks which database to use.
2. Direct Investigation Targeting (Zero Friction):
   • If you mention the database in your prompt (e.g., "investigate bug on audit database" or "check table X on pos"), the agent/MCP resolves the alias immediately and connects without asking confirmation questions.
3. Smart Approximate Search:
   • Switch databases using fb_use_database("audit") — the MCP matches exact names, substrings (e.g., erp_audit), and associated tags.
4. ⚠️ Rigid Safety Rule: Mandatory Double Confirmation for DDL and Data Manipulation (DML):
   • Structural commands (CREATE, ALTER, DROP, RECREATE) and data mutation commands (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, EXECUTE PROCEDURE) are NEVER executed directly without prior explicit user consent.
   • The assistant must present the exact SQL/DDL statement, explain its technical purpose, detail the impact (affected rows/tables, lock risks, irreversibility), and request confirmation.
   • The MCP server blocks execution with an error unless the confirmed=True parameter is passed following the user's explicit affirmative response.

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🛠️ Available MCP Tools

Database & Connection Management

Tool	Parameters	Description
fb_create_config	database, alias, host, port, user, password, charset, description, projects, tags, filepath	Creates and saves Central Global Catalog (~/.firebird-mcp.json) or local file with project tags.
fb_list_databases	project_filter (optional)	Lists all databases in catalog, highlighting matches for the active project.
fb_use_database	alias	Switches the active database for the current session (with smart match by name, substring, or tag).
fb_configure_database	alias, database, host, port, user, password, charset, description, projects, tags, set_as_default, save_to_file	Registers or updates a connection with projects/tags dynamically and persists to file.
fb_reload_config	config_path (optional)	Reloads the catalog from global or local file.

Schema & Metadata Introspection

Tool	Parameters	Description
fb_list_tables	db_alias (optional)	Lists all user tables (filters out RDB$ system tables).
fb_list_views	db_alias (optional)	Lists all registered user views.
fb_list_procedures	db_alias (optional)	Lists all user Stored Procedures.
fb_list_generators	db_alias (optional)	Lists all user Generators / Sequences.
fb_inspect_table	table_name, db_alias (optional)	Returns column definitions, precise data types, PK/FK constraints, and indices with real selectivity (RDB$STATISTICS).

Performance Analysis & Execution

Tool	Parameters	Description
fb_explain_plan	sql, db_alias (optional)	Compiles the query in the engine, extracts the PLAN, highlights NATURAL SCAN warnings, and suggests indexing strategies.
fb_query	sql, limit (default 50, max 1000), db_alias (optional)	Executes read-only SELECT queries with safety guards and immediate transaction commits.
fb_execute_dml	sql, db_alias (optional), confirmed (default false)	Executes explicit INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, or EXECUTE PROCEDURE statements. Requires mandatory double confirmation (confirmed=True).
fb_execute_ddl	ddl, db_alias (optional), confirmed (default false)	Executes structural DDL statements (CREATE INDEX, ALTER TABLE, etc.) with explicit commit. Requires mandatory double confirmation (confirmed=True).
fb_database_health	db_alias (optional)	Audits database health via MON$ tables (ODS version, page size, active attachments, and OAT-to-Next-Transaction gap).

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💻 Installation & Execution

🐳 Option 1: Docker (Gold Standard — Recommended for Windows, macOS & Linux)

Running via Docker eliminates all local Python runtime and dependency requirements:

# Clone and build the image locally:
git clone https://github.com/lucasgabriel0802/firebird-mcp.git
cd firebird-mcp
docker build -t firebird-mcp:latest .

Universal IDE Configuration via Docker (Stdio Mode):

Configure your IDE to launch the container on-demand. This configuration works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-v", "${workspaceFolder}:/workspace",
        "-w", "/workspace",
        "--add-host", "host.docker.internal:host-gateway",
        "firebird-mcp:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Why this is the Gold Standard:

• -i: Keeps stdin/stdout open for JSON-RPC without allocating a pseudo-TTY (no -t to avoid byte corruption).
• --rm: Cleans up the container automatically when the IDE closes.
• -v "${workspaceFolder}:/workspace": Mounts your current project for automatic .firebird-mcp.json discovery.
• --add-host host.docker.internal:host-gateway: Resolves your host machine's IP (e.g. Firebird running on port 3050 in Windows, macOS, or Linux) using host.docker.internal.

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🚀 Option 2: Docker Compose (Background Service & Batteried Testing DB)

A. Run as an HTTP/SSE Background Service

If you prefer running the MCP server as a permanent background service on port 8000:

docker compose up -d firebird-mcp

Connect via SSE endpoint: http://localhost:8000/sse.

B. Full Local Testing Environment (with Firebird 5.0 Database)

Spin up both the MCP server and a ready-to-test Firebird 5.0 database container:

docker compose --profile test-db up -d

This starts:

• Firebird 5.0 on localhost:3050 (password: masterkey, database: TESTE.FDB).
• Firebird MCP Server on http://localhost:8000/sse.

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🐍 Option 3: Local Python Virtual Environment

git clone https://github.com/lucasgabriel0802/firebird-mcp.git ~/firebird-mcp
cd ~/firebird-mcp
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
pip install -e .

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⚙️ Universal Configuration for Any IDE

1. Google Antigravity IDE

In ~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json (or workspace configuration):

Using Docker (Recommended):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-v", "${workspaceFolder}:/workspace",
        "-w", "/workspace",
        "--add-host", "host.docker.internal:host-gateway",
        "firebird-mcp:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Or using Python Virtual Environment:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "/home/lucas/firebird-mcp/venv/bin/python",
      "args": ["-m", "firebird_mcp.server"],
      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}"
    }
  }
}

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2. Cursor

In .cursor/mcp.json at your project root or in Settings > Features > MCP:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-v", "${workspaceFolder}:/workspace",
        "-w", "/workspace",
        "--add-host", "host.docker.internal:host-gateway",
        "firebird-mcp:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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3. VS Code (Cline / Roo Code / Copilot MCP)

In cline_mcp_settings.json or Roo Code settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-v", "${workspaceFolder}:/workspace",
        "-w", "/workspace",
        "--add-host", "host.docker.internal:host-gateway",
        "firebird-mcp:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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4. Claude Desktop

In claude_desktop_config.json:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "firebird_mcp.server", "--config", "C:\\my_project\\.firebird-mcp.json"],
      "cwd": "C:\\my_project"
    }
  }
}

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5. Windsurf

In ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": ["-m", "firebird_mcp.server"],
      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}"
    }
  }
}

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6. Zed Editor

In Zed's settings.json:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "firebird": {
      "command": {
        "path": "python3",
        "args": ["-m", "firebird_mcp.server"]
      }
    }
  }
}

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🧠 Synergy: firebird-master Skill + firebird-mcp

This MCP server works hand-in-hand with the firebird-master skill:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   AI AGENT / COPILOT                   │
├──────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┤
│  SKILL: firebird-master  │     MCP: firebird-mcp       │
│         (Brain)          │          (Muscle)           │
├──────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────┤
│ • Cross-version syntax   │ • TCP socket wire protocol  │
│   (FB 2.5 vs 3 vs 4 vs 5)│ • Executes & fetches PLAN   │
│ • SQL anti-pattern rules │ • Introspects RDB$ schema   │
│ • Delphi FireDAC best    │ • Gathers MON$ telemetry    │
│   practices & index hints│ • Auto-discovers project DB │
└──────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────┘

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⚖️ Disclaimer & Trademarks

• Firebird: "Firebird" is a registered trademark of the Firebird Foundation. This is an independent open-source community project licensed under the MIT License and is not affiliated with, funded by, endorsed by, or officially associated with the Firebird Project or the Firebird Foundation.
• Model Context Protocol: "Model Context Protocol" and "MCP" are trademarks of Anthropic, PBC. This project is an independent implementation compliant with open MCP standards.
• Limitation of Liability: This software connects directly to database servers and executes queries or commands per user/agent instruction. Always maintain regular database backups and verify queries prior to execution on production environments. Under the terms of the MIT License, the software is provided "AS IS", without warranty of any kind, and the authors shall not be liable for any damages or data loss.

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📄 License

Distributed under the MIT License.