OpenProject MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server providing seamless integration with OpenProject API v3. Enable AI assistants to interact with your OpenProject instance for project management, work package tracking, and task automation.

Features

• 🔌 Full OpenProject API v3 Integration
• 📋 Project Management: List and filter projects
• 📝 Work Package Management: Create, list, update, and filter work packages
• 👥 User & Team Management: List users, memberships, and roles
• ⏱️ Time Tracking: Create and manage time entries
• 🏷️ Type Management: List available work package types, statuses, and priorities
• 🔐 Secure Authentication: API key-based authentication with HTTP Basic Auth
• 🌐 Proxy Support: Optional HTTP proxy configuration
• 🚀 Async Operations: Built with modern async/await patterns

Quick Start

Installation

# Install with uvx (recommended - no installation required)
uvx openproject-mcp

# Or install globally with pip
pip install openproject-mcp

Configuration

Get your OpenProject API key:

1. Log into your OpenProject instance
2. Go to My Account → Access Tokens
3. Click + API to create a new token
4. Copy the generated token

Installation Guides by Editor/IDE

Claude Code

Config file: ~/.claude.json

Add the MCP server to the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openproject": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["openproject-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
        "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Code after saving.

---

Claude Desktop

Config file locations:

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openproject": {
      "command": "openproject-mcp",
      "env": {
        "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
        "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop after saving.

---

Cursor

Config file: ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project-specific)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openproject": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["openproject-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
        "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

You can also configure MCP servers through Cursor's GUI:

1. Open Settings → Features → Model Context Protocol
2. Click Add MCP Server
3. Configure the server with the command and environment variables above

---

Zed

Config file locations:

• macOS: ~/.zed/settings.json
• Linux: ~/.config/zed/settings.json

Add to your settings file (open with cmd-, on macOS or ctrl-, on Linux):

{
  "context_servers": {
    "openproject": {
      "settings": {},
      "command": {
        "path": "uvx",
        "args": ["openproject-mcp"],
        "env": {
          "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
          "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

MCP tools will be available through Zed's AI assistant.

---

VS Code (with GitHub Copilot)

Requires: VS Code 1.99+ with GitHub Copilot extension

Config file: .vscode/mcp.json (workspace) or User Profile's mcp.json

{
  "servers": {
    "openproject": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["openproject-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
        "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

You can also use the Command Palette: MCP: Add Server to configure servers through the GUI.

---

IntelliJ IDEA (2025.1+) & JetBrains IDEs (2025.2+)

Requires: IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1+ or JetBrains IDE 2025.2+

1. Go to Settings/Preferences → Tools → Model Context Protocol
2. Click Add MCP Server
3. Configure:
   • Command: openproject-mcp
   • Environment Variables:
     • OPENPROJECT_URL: https://your-instance.openproject.com
     • OPENPROJECT_API_KEY: your-api-key-here

Or edit the MCP configuration file directly (location varies by IDE).

---

Continue (VS Code & JetBrains)

Continue is an open-source AI coding assistant.

Config location: .continue/mcpServers/ folder in your workspace

Create a file .continue/mcpServers/openproject.json:

{
  "name": "openproject",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "schema": "1.0.0",
  "type": "stdio",
  "command": "uvx",
  "args": ["openproject-mcp"],
  "env": {
    "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
    "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
  }
}

Alternatively, you can use YAML format (.continue/mcpServers/openproject.yaml) which is the preferred format in newer versions.

---

Windsurf

Config file locations:

• macOS/Linux: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json
• Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openproject": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["openproject-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OPENPROJECT_URL": "https://your-instance.openproject.com",
        "OPENPROJECT_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

You can also access this through Windsurf's GUI:

1. Go to Settings → Manage MCPs
2. Click View raw config to edit the mcp_config.json file

---

Environment Variables

Variable	Required	Description	Example
OPENPROJECT_URL	Yes	Your OpenProject instance URL	https://mycompany.openproject.com
OPENPROJECT_API_KEY	Yes	API key from your user profile	8169846b42461e6e...
OPENPROJECT_PROXY	No	HTTP proxy URL if needed	http://proxy.company.com:8080
LOG_LEVEL	No	Logging level	INFO, DEBUG, WARNING, ERROR
TEST_CONNECTION_ON_STARTUP	No	Test API connection on startup	true or false

Important: Reverse Proxy / Authentication Gateway Setup

If your OpenProject instance is behind an authentication gateway (Authelia, Authentik, Keycloak, etc.), you must configure it to bypass authentication for API endpoints.

Problem

Authentication gateways intercept ALL requests, including API calls, redirecting them to login pages. This breaks API token authentication.

Solution

Configure your reverse proxy to bypass authentication for /api/ paths, allowing OpenProject's native API authentication to work.

Example: Traefik + Authelia

Create a higher-priority route for API endpoints:

File: /path/to/traefik/config/openproject-api.yml

http:
  routers:
    openproject-api:
      rule: "Host(`projects.example.com`) && PathPrefix(`/api/`)"
      service: openproject
      priority: 100  # Higher than main route
      tls: true
      # No Authelia middleware - OpenProject handles API auth

  services:
    openproject:
      loadBalancer:
        servers:
          - url: "http://openproject:80"

This configuration:

• ✅ Web UI requests → Authenticated via Authelia (2FA, SSO, etc.)
• ✅ API requests → Authenticated via OpenProject API keys

Other Reverse Proxies

Nginx:

location /api/ {
    # Bypass auth for API
    proxy_pass http://openproject:80;
}

location / {
    # Require auth for web UI
    auth_request /auth;
    proxy_pass http://openproject:80;
}

Caddy:

projects.example.com {
    @api path /api/*
    handle @api {
        reverse_proxy openproject:80
    }

    handle {
        forward_auth authelia:9091
        reverse_proxy openproject:80
    }
}

Authentication Format

OpenProject uses HTTP Basic Authentication for API access:

• Username: apikey
• Password: Your API key
• Header Format: Authorization: Basic base64(apikey:YOUR_API_KEY)

The MCP server handles this automatically.

Available Tools

test_connection

Test connection to your OpenProject instance.

Example: "Test the OpenProject connection"

---

list_projects

List all projects you have access to.

Parameters:

• active_only (boolean, optional): Show only active projects (default: true)

Example: "List all active OpenProject projects"

---

list_work_packages

List work packages with optional filtering.

Parameters:

• project_id (integer, optional): Filter by project ID
• status (string, optional): Filter by status name
• assignee_id (integer, optional): Filter by assignee user ID
• page_size (integer, optional): Number of results (default: 20)

Example: "Show all work packages in project 3"

---

create_work_package

Create a new work package.

Parameters:

• project_id (integer, required): Project ID
• subject (string, required): Work package title
• type_id (integer, required): Work package type ID
• description (string, optional): Description in markdown
• assignee_id (integer, optional): User ID to assign
• status_id (integer, optional): Status ID

Example: "Create a task in project 3 called 'Fix login bug'"

---

update_work_package

Update an existing work package.

Parameters:

• work_package_id (integer, required): Work package ID
• subject (string, optional): New title
• description (string, optional): New description
• status_id (integer, optional): New status
• assignee_id (integer, optional): New assignee

Example: "Update work package #42 status to 'In Progress'"

---

list_users

List all users in the OpenProject instance.

Example: "Show all OpenProject users"

---

list_work_package_types

List available work package types.

Example: "What work package types are available?"

---

list_work_package_statuses

List available work package statuses.

Example: "Show all available statuses"

---

create_time_entry

Create a time entry for a work package.

Parameters:

• work_package_id (integer, required): Work package ID
• hours (float, required): Hours spent
• comment (string, optional): Comment/description
• spent_on (string, optional): Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Example: "Log 2.5 hours on work package #39 for today"

---

list_memberships

List project memberships.

Parameters:

• project_id (integer, optional): Filter by project

Example: "Show who has access to project 3"

---

Development

Install from Source

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/Compass-Rose-Systems/openproject-mcp.git
cd openproject-mcp

# Build package
uv build

# Install locally
pip install dist/openproject_mcp-1.0.0-py3-none-any.whl

Run Tests

# Install dev dependencies
uv sync --extra dev

# Run tests
pytest

Roadmap

Based on community contributions and open pull requests, here are planned improvements:

🐳 Docker Containerization (#14)

• Simplified deployment with Docker
• Environment consistency
• Easy scaling and orchestration

📊 Project Grid & Research Features (#11)

• Enhanced data visualization
• Grid-based project management
• Advanced filtering and sorting

🤖 Tool Automation (#10)

• Automated update and upgrade workflows
• Streamlined maintenance

🔧 Additional Tools (#4)

• Expanded tool capabilities
• More OpenProject API coverage

Future Enhancements

• Webhook support for real-time notifications
• Bulk operations for work packages
• Custom field support
• Advanced query builder
• Export functionality (CSV, PDF)
• Integration with external tools (Slack, email, etc.)

Troubleshooting

"Unauthenticated" errors

Cause: API key format incorrect or authentication gateway blocking requests.

Solutions:

1. Verify API key is correct (check OpenProject → My Account → Access Tokens)
2. Ensure authentication gateway bypasses /api/ paths (see setup guide above)
3. Check OPENPROJECT_URL is correct and accessible

Connection timeouts

Cause: Network issues, firewall, or proxy misconfiguration.

Solutions:

1. Test direct access: curl -u "apikey:YOUR_KEY" https://your-instance/api/v3/projects
2. If behind corporate proxy, set OPENPROJECT_PROXY environment variable
3. Check firewall rules allow outbound HTTPS

MCP server not appearing in editor

Cause: Configuration file syntax error or incorrect path.

Solutions:

1. Validate JSON syntax (use online JSON validator)
2. Check config file location for your editor
3. Restart editor after configuration changes
4. Check editor logs for MCP loading errors

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes with tests
4. Submit a pull request

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Credits

Original Author: AndyEverything Current Maintainer: cleanspin Organization: Compass Rose Systems

This project is a maintained fork with active development, easy installation via PyPI, comprehensive documentation, and ongoing feature improvements.