Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Apache Airflow API integration. Provides comprehensive tools for managing Airflow clusters including service operations, configuration management, status monitoring, and request tracking.
Project description
Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Apache Airflow API integration.
This project provides natural language MCP tools for essential Airflow cluster operations.
Note: To minimize operational risk, this MCP server currently focuses on read-only (query) operations only. APIs that modify the target Airflow cluster (e.g., triggering or pausing DAGs) are planned but currently on hold.
MCP-Airflow-API
Tested and supported Airflow version: 2.10.2 (API Version: v1)
Example Query - List DAGs
Usages
Using this is very simple and straightforward. If you already have an MCP Tools environment running, just add the following configuration to your mcp-config.json file:
{
"mcpServers": {
"airflow-api": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["--python", "3.11", "mcp-airflow-api"],
"env": {
"AIRFLOW_API_URL": "http://localhost:8080/api/v1",
"AIRFLOW_API_USERNAME": "airflow",
"AIRFLOW_API_PASSWORD": "airflow",
"AIRFLOW_LOG_LEVEL": "INFO"
}
}
}
}
Features
- List all DAGs in the Airflow cluster
- Monitor running/failed DAG runs
- Trigger DAG runs on demand
- Check cluster health and version information
- Minimal, LLM-friendly output for all tools
- Easy integration with MCP Inspector, OpenWebUI, Smithery, etc.
- Enhanced for Large-Scale Environments: Improved default limits and pagination support for enterprise Airflow deployments (100+ to 1000+ DAGs)
Resource-Optimized Design
This MCP server has been optimized for efficient resource usage and better performance:
- Optimized Default Limits: Most functions use default limits of 20 (reduced from 100) for better memory usage and faster response times
- Comprehensive Pagination: All listing functions include pagination metadata (
has_more_pages,next_offset,pagination_info) - Automatic Pagination Helpers: Use
list_dags(..., fetch_all=True)for complete DAG inventory without manual pagination - Flexible Scaling: Users can specify higher limits (up to 1000) when needed for bulk operations
- Memory-Efficient: Smaller default payloads reduce memory usage while maintaining full functionality
Available MCP Tools
DAG Management
-
list_dags(limit=20, offset=0, fetch_all=False, id_contains=None, name_contains=None)
Returns all DAGs registered in the Airflow cluster with pagination support.
Output:dag_id,dag_display_name,is_active,is_paused,owners,tags, plus pagination info (total_entries,limit,offset,has_more_pages,next_offset,pagination_info)Pagination Examples:
-
First 20 DAGs:
list_dags() -
Next 20 DAGs:
list_dags(limit=20, offset=20) -
Large batch:
list_dags(limit=100, offset=0) -
All DAGs at once:
list_dags(limit=1000) -
id_contains="etl"→ Only DAGs whosedag_idcontains "etl" -
name_contains="daily"→ Only DAGs whosedisplay_namecontains "daily" -
If both are specified, only DAGs matching both conditions are returned
-
-
running_dags
Returns all currently running DAG runs.
Output:dag_id,run_id,state,execution_date,start_date,end_date -
failed_dags
Returns all recently failed DAG runs.
Output:dag_id,run_id,state,execution_date,start_date,end_date -
trigger_dag(dag_id)
Immediately triggers the specified DAG.
Output:dag_id,run_id,state,execution_date,start_date,end_date -
pause_dag(dag_id)
Pauses the specified DAG (prevents scheduling new runs).
Output:dag_id,is_paused -
unpause_dag(dag_id)
Unpauses the specified DAG (allows scheduling new runs).
Output:dag_id,is_paused
Cluster Management & Health
-
get_health
Get the health status of the Airflow webserver instance.
Output:metadatabase,scheduler, overall healthstatus -
get_version
Get version information of the Airflow instance.
Output:version,git_version,build_date,api_version
Pool Management
-
list_pools(limit=20, offset=0)
List all pools in the Airflow instance with pagination support.
Output:pools,total_entries,limit,offset, pool details with slots usage -
get_pool(pool_name)
Get detailed information about a specific pool.
Output:name,slots,occupied_slots,running_slots,queued_slots,open_slots,description,utilization_percentage
Variable Management
-
list_variables(limit=20, offset=0, order_by="key")
List all variables stored in Airflow with pagination support.
Output:variables,total_entries,limit,offset, variable details with keys, values, and descriptions -
get_variable(variable_key)
Get detailed information about a specific variable by its key.
Output:key,value,description,is_encrypted
Task Instance Management
-
list_task_instances_all(dag_id=None, dag_run_id=None, execution_date_gte=None, execution_date_lte=None, start_date_gte=None, start_date_lte=None, end_date_gte=None, end_date_lte=None, duration_gte=None, duration_lte=None, state=None, pool=None, queue=None, limit=20, offset=0)
Lists task instances across all DAGs or filtered by specific criteria with comprehensive filtering options.
Output:task_instances,total_entries,limit,offset,applied_filters -
get_task_instance_details(dag_id, dag_run_id, task_id)
Retrieves detailed information about a specific task instance.
Output: Comprehensive task instance details including execution info, state, timing, configuration, and metadata -
list_task_instances_batch(dag_ids=None, dag_run_ids=None, task_ids=None, execution_date_gte=None, execution_date_lte=None, start_date_gte=None, start_date_lte=None, end_date_gte=None, end_date_lte=None, duration_gte=None, duration_lte=None, state=None, pool=None, queue=None)
Lists task instances in batch with multiple filtering criteria for bulk operations.
Output:task_instances,total_entries,applied_filters, batch processing results -
get_task_instance_extra_links(dag_id, dag_run_id, task_id)
Lists extra links for a specific task instance (e.g., monitoring dashboards, logs, external resources).
Output:task_id,dag_id,dag_run_id,extra_links,total_links -
get_task_instance_logs(dag_id, dag_run_id, task_id, try_number=1, full_content=False, token=None)
Retrieves logs for a specific task instance and its try number with content and metadata.
Output:task_id,dag_id,dag_run_id,try_number,content,continuation_token,metadata
XCom Management
-
list_xcom_entries(dag_id, dag_run_id, task_id, limit=20, offset=0)
Lists XCom entries for a specific task instance.
Output:dag_id,dag_run_id,task_id,xcom_entries,total_entries,limit,offset -
get_xcom_entry(dag_id, dag_run_id, task_id, xcom_key, map_index=-1)
Retrieves a specific XCom entry for a task instance.
Output:dag_id,dag_run_id,task_id,xcom_key,map_index,key,value,timestamp,execution_date,run_id
DAG Analysis & Monitoring
-
get_dag(dag_id)
Retrieves comprehensive details for a specific DAG.
Output:dag_id,description,schedule_interval,owners,tags,start_date,next_dagrun, etc. -
dag_graph(dag_id)
Retrieves task dependency graph structure for a specific DAG.
Output:dag_id,tasks,dependencies, task relationships -
list_tasks(dag_id)
Lists all tasks for a specific DAG.
Output:dag_id,tasks, task configuration details
Output:dag_id,tasks,dependencies, task relationships -
dag_code(dag_id)
Retrieves the source code for a specific DAG.
Output:dag_id,file_token,source_code -
list_event_logs(dag_id=None, task_id=None, run_id=None, limit=20, offset=0)
Lists event log entries with optional filtering.
Optimized limit: Default is 20 for better performance while maintaining good coverage.
Output:event_logs,total_entries,limit,offset,has_more_pages,next_offset,pagination_info -
get_event_log(event_log_id)
Retrieves a specific event log entry by ID.
Output:event_log_id,when,event,dag_id,task_id,run_id, etc. -
all_dag_event_summary()
Retrieves event count summary for all DAGs.
Improved limit: Uses limit=1000 for DAG retrieval to avoid missing DAGs in large environments.
Output:dag_summaries,total_dags,total_events -
list_import_errors(limit=20, offset=0)
Lists import errors with optional filtering.
Optimized limit: Default is 20 for better performance while maintaining good coverage.
Output:import_errors,total_entries,limit,offset,has_more_pages,next_offset,pagination_info -
get_import_error(import_error_id)
Retrieves a specific import error by ID.
Output:import_error_id,filename,stacktrace,timestamp -
all_dag_import_summary()
Retrieves import error summary for all DAGs.
Output:import_summaries,total_errors,affected_files -
dag_run_duration(dag_id, limit=50)
Retrieves run duration statistics for a specific DAG.
Improved limit: Default increased from 10 to 50 for better statistical analysis.
Output:dag_id,runs, duration analysis, success/failure stats -
dag_task_duration(dag_id, run_id=None)
Retrieves task duration information for a specific DAG run.
Output:dag_id,run_id,tasks, individual task performance -
dag_calendar(dag_id, start_date=None, end_date=None, limit=20)
Retrieves calendar/schedule information for a specific DAG.
Configurable limit: Default is 20, can be increased up to 1000 for bulk analysis.
Output:dag_id,schedule_interval,runs, upcoming executions
Example Queries
Basic DAG Operations
- list_dags: "List all DAGs with limit 10 in a table format." → Returns up to 10 DAGs
- list_dags: "List all DAGs a table format." → Returns up to All DAGs (WARN: Need High Tokens)
- list_dags: "Show next page of DAGs." → Use offset for pagination
- list_dags: "List DAGs 21-40." →
list_dags(limit=20, offset=20) - list_dags: "Filter DAGs whose ID contains 'tutorial'." →
list_dags(id_contains="etl") - list_dags: "Filter DAGs whose display name contains 'tutorial'." →
list_dags(name_contains="daily") - running_dags: "Show running DAGs."
- failed_dags: "Show failed DAGs."
- trigger_dag: "Trigger DAG 'example_complex'."
- pause_dag: "Pause DAG 'example_complex' in a table format."
- unpause_dag: "Unpause DAG 'example_complex' in a table format."
Cluster Management & Health
- get_health: "Check Airflow cluster health."
- get_version: "Get Airflow version information."
Pool Management
- list_pools: "List all pools."
- list_pools: "Show pool usage statistics."
- get_pool: "Get details for pool 'default_pool'."
- get_pool: "Check pool utilization."
Variable Management
- list_variables: "List all variables."
- list_variables: "Show all Airflow variables with their values."
- get_variable: "Get variable 'database_url'."
- get_variable: "Show the value of variable 'api_key'."
Task Instance Management
- list_task_instances_all: "List all task instances for DAG 'example_complex'."
- list_task_instances_all: "Show running task instances."
- list_task_instances_all: "Show task instances filtered by pool 'default_pool'."
- list_task_instances_all: "List task instances with duration greater than 300 seconds."
- list_task_instances_all: "Show failed task instances from last week."
- list_task_instances_all: "List failed task instances from yesterday."
- list_task_instances_all: "Show task instances that started after 9 AM today."
- list_task_instances_all: "List task instances from the last 3 days with state 'failed'."
- get_task_instance_details: "Get details for task 'data_processing' in DAG 'example_complex' run 'scheduled__xxxxx'."
- list_task_instances_batch: "List failed task instances from last month."
- list_task_instances_batch: "Show task instances in batch for multiple DAGs from this week."
- get_task_instance_extra_links: "Get extra links for task 'data_processing' in latest run."
- get_task_instance_logs: "Retrieve logs for task 'create_entry_gcs' try number 2 of DAG 'example_complex'."
XCom Management
- list_xcom_entries: "List XCom entries for task 'data_processing' in DAG 'example_complex' run 'scheduled__xxxxx'."
- list_xcom_entries: "Show all XCom entries for task 'data_processing' in latest run."
- get_xcom_entry: "Get XCom entry with key 'result' for task 'data_processing' in specific run."
- get_xcom_entry: "Retrieve XCom value for key 'processed_count' from task 'data_processing'."
DAG Analysis & Monitoring
- get_dag: "Get details for DAG 'example_complex'."
- dag_graph: "Show task graph for DAG 'example_complex'."
- list_tasks: "List all tasks in DAG 'example_complex'."
- dag_code: "Get source code for DAG 'example_complex'."
- list_event_logs: "List event logs for DAG 'example_complex'."
- list_event_logs: "Show event logs with ID from yesterday for all DAGs."
- get_event_log: "Get event log entry with ID 12345."
- all_dag_event_summary: "Show event count summary for all DAGs."
- list_import_errors: "List import errors with ID."
- get_import_error: "Get import error with ID 67890."
- all_dag_import_summary: "Show import error summary for all DAGs."
- dag_run_duration: "Get run duration stats for DAG 'example_complex'."
- dag_task_duration: "Show latest run of DAG 'example_complex'."
- dag_task_duration: "Show task durations for latest run of 'manual__xxxxx'."
- dag_calendar: "Get calendar info for DAG 'example_complex' from last month."
- dag_calendar: "Show DAG schedule for 'example_complex' from this week."
Date Calculation Guidance
Relative date phrases like "yesterday" or "last week" are resolved against the server's current date/time internally by the tools. You do not need to call any separate tool.
| User Input | Calculation Method | Example Format |
|---|---|---|
| "yesterday" | current_date - 1 day | YYYY-MM-DD (1 day before current) |
| "last week" | current_date - 7 days to current_date - 1 day | YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD (7 days range) |
| "last 3 days" | current_date - 3 days to current_date | YYYY-MM-DD to YYYY-MM-DD (3 days range) |
| "this morning" | current_date 00:00 to 12:00 | YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ format |
The server always bases calculations on its actual current date/time.
Formatting Rules
- Output only the requested fields.
- No extra explanation unless explicitly requested.
- Use JSON objects for tool outputs.
Prompt Template
The package exposes a tool get_prompt_template that returns either the entire template, a specific section, or just the headings. Three MCP prompts (prompt_template_full, prompt_template_headings, prompt_template_section) are also registered for discovery.
MCP Prompts
For easier discoverability in MCP clients (so prompts/list is not empty), the server now registers three prompts:
• prompt_template_full – returns the full canonical template
• prompt_template_headings – returns only the section headings
• prompt_template_section – takes a section argument (number or keyword) and returns that section
You can still use the get_prompt_template tool for programmatic access or when you prefer tool invocation over prompt retrieval.
Single canonical English prompt template guides safe and efficient tool selection.
Files:
• Packaged: src/mcp_airflow_api/prompt_template.md (distributed with PyPI)
• (Optional workspace root copy PROMPT_TEMPLATE.md may exist for editing; packaged copy is the one loaded at runtime.)
Retrieve dynamically via MCP tool:
• get_prompt_template() – full template
• get_prompt_template("tool map") – only the tool mapping section
• get_prompt_template("3") – section 3 (tool map)
• get_prompt_template(mode="headings") – list all section headings
Policy: Only English is stored; LLM는 사용자 질의 언어와 무관하게 영어 지침을 내부 추론용으로 사용하고, 사용자 응답은 필요 시 다국어로 생성한다.
Main Tool Files
- MCP tool definitions:
src/mcp_airflow_api/airflow_api.py - Utility functions:
src/mcp_airflow_api/functions.py
Prompt Template
How To Use
- In your MCP Tools environment, configure
mcp-config.jsonas follows:
{
"mcpServers": {
"airflow-api": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["--python", "3.11", "mcp-airflow-api"],
"env": {
"AIRFLOW_API_URL": "http://localhost:38080/api/v1",
"AIRFLOW_API_USERNAME": "airflow",
"AIRFLOW_API_PASSWORD": "airflow",
"AIRFLOW_LOG_LEVEL": "INFO"
}
}
}
}
- Register the MCP server in MCP Inspector, OpenWebUI, Smithery, etc. and use the tools.
QuickStart (Demo): Running MCP-Airflow-API with Docker
-
Prepare an Airflow Demo cluster
- Try this, Airflow-Docker-Compose
- (Optional) See Official Airflow Docker Install Guide
-
Prepare MCP Tools environment
- Install Docker and Docker Compose
- Edit
mcp-config.jsonfile for AIRFLOW Cluster Info. - Clone this project and run
docker-compose up -din the root directory
-
Check MCP-Server REST-API (by MCPO Swagger)
- Try check this URL: http://localhost:8002/docs
-
Access to OpenWebUI with your browser
- (NOTE) Port numbers can change due to conflicts — check your docker-compose.yml.
- Example OpenWebUI address:
http://localhost:8000/airflow-api
-
Register the MCP server
- In [Settings] — [Tools], add the API address of the “airflow-api” tool (the link displayed in the MCPO Swagger), e.g., http://localhost:8001/airflow-api
-
Setup LLM
- In [Admin Pannel] - [Setting] - [Connection], configure API Key for OpenAI or Ollama.
-
Completed!
Pagination Guide for Large Airflow Environments
Understanding DAG Pagination
The list_dags() function now supports pagination to handle large Airflow environments efficiently:
Default Behavior:
- Returns first 100 DAGs by default
- Includes pagination metadata in response
Pagination Response Structure:
{
"dags": [...],
"total_entries": 1500,
"limit": 100,
"offset": 0,
"returned_count": 100,
"has_more_pages": true,
"next_offset": 100,
"pagination_info": {
"current_page": 1,
"total_pages": 15,
"remaining_count": 1400
}
}
Pagination Strategies
🔍 Exploratory (Recommended for LLMs):
1. list_dags() → Check first 20 DAGs
2. Use has_more_pages to determine if more exist
3. list_dags(limit=20, offset=20) → Get next 20
4. Continue as needed
📊 Complete Analysis:
→ Automatically fetches ALL DAGs regardless of count
⚡ Quick Large Queries:
list_dags(limit=500)
→ Get up to 500 DAGs in one call
Best Practices
- Small Airflow (< 50 DAGs): Use default
list_dags() - Medium Airflow (50-500 DAGs): Use
list_dags(limit=100)orlist_dags(limit=200) - Memory-conscious: Use default limits (20) with manual pagination
Logging & Observability
- Structured logs for all tool invocations and HTTP requests
- Control log level via environment variable (
AIRFLOW_LOG_LEVEL) or CLI flag (--log-level) - Supported levels: DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, CRITICAL
Installing via Smithery
To install Airflow API Integration Server for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:
npx -y @smithery/cli install @call518/mcp-airflow-api --client claude
Roadmap
This project starts with a minimal set of essential Airflow management tools. Many more useful features and tools for Airflow cluster operations will be added soon, including advanced monitoring, DAG/task analytics, scheduling controls, and more. Contributions and suggestions are welcome!
Additional Links
Testing
This project includes comprehensive tests for the prompt template functionality.
Running Tests
# Install development dependencies
uv sync
# Run all tests
uv run pytest
# Run tests with verbose output
uv run pytest -v
# Run specific test file
uv run pytest tests/test_prompt_template.py -v
More ScreenShoots
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
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