Build Deel-Powered Applications in Cursor with CData MCP Server

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that integrates agentic AI into everyday development workflows. With support for MCP, Cursor can connect to local tools and enterprise data sources directly from the editor, enabling natural language interaction with live systems without switching context.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting LLM clients to external services through structured tool interfaces. MCP servers expose capabilities such as schema discovery and live querying, allowing AI agents to retrieve and reason over real-time data safely and consistently.

In this article, we guide you through installing the CData API Driver for MCP Server, configuring the connection to Deel, connecting the MCP Server add-on to Cursor, and querying live Deel data from within the editor.

Step 1: Download and install the CData API Driver for MCP Server

1. To begin, download the CData API Driver for MCP Server
2. Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure your MCP Server add-on by connecting to Deel.

Step 2: Configure the connection to Deel

1. After installation, open the CData API Driver for MCP Server configuration wizard

   NOTE: If the wizard does not open automatically, search for "CData API Driver for MCP Server" in the Windows search bar and open the application.

   
2. In MCP Configuration > Configuration Name, either select an existing configuration or choose to create a new one
3. Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_api") and click OK

4. Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard

   To authenticate to Deel, you can use API Key (Bearer Token) authentication.

   Using APIKey Authentication

   You can authenticate using a Deel API Key. Create an API key in your Deel account settings under Settings > API or Developer Settings. Make sure to grant appropriate permissions based on the data you need to access (e.g., read access for invoices, timesheets, contracts, workers, etc.).

   After creating your API Key, set the following connection properties:

   • AuthScheme: Set this to APIKey.
   • APIKey: Set this to your Deel API Key (Bearer token).

   Example APIKey connection string

   Profile=C:\profiles\Deel.apip;AuthScheme=APIKey;ProfileSettings='APIKey=your_deel_api_key';
   

   
5. Click Connect to authenticate with Deel
6. Then, click Save Configuration to save the MCP Server add-on

This process creates a .mcp configuration file that Cursor will reference when launching the MCP Server add-on. Now with your MCP Server add-on configured, you are ready to connect it to Cursor.

Step 3: Connect the MCP Server add-on to Cursor

1. Download the Cursor desktop application and complete the sign-up flow for your account
2. From the top menu, click Settings to open the settings panel
3. In the left navigation, open the Tools & MCP tab and click Add Custom MCP

Option 1: Manually add the MCP configuration

1. Cursor opens an mcp.json file in the editor
2. Add the code shown below and save the file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cdata-local": {
      "command": "C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-17/bin/java.exe",
      "args": [
        "-jar",
        "C:/Program Files/CData/CData API Driver for MCP Server/lib/cdata.mcp.api.jar",
        "cdata_api"
      ]
    }
  }
}



NOTE: The command value should point to your Java 17+ java.exe executable, and the JAR path should point to the installed CData MCP Server add-on .jar file. The final argument must match the MCP configuration name you saved in the CData configuration wizard (e.g. "cdata_api").

Option 2: Copy the MCP configuration from the CData API Driver for MCP Server UI

1. After saving and testing your connection in the configuration wizard, click Next

2. Select Cursor from the AI MCP Tool dropdown

3. Follow the MCP Client Instructions to create the required folders for the MCP config

4. Copy the displayed JSON code and paste it into your configuration file
5. In Cursor, open the project folder you created with the mcp.json config
4. The MCP Server add-on should appear as Running under Installed MCP Servers

Step 4: Query live Deel data in Cursor

1. From the top bar, click Toggle AI Pane to open the chat window
2. Ask questions about your Deel data using natural language. For example:

   "List all tables available in my Deel data connection."

   

Cursor is now fully integrated with CData API Driver for MCP Server and can use the MCP tools exposed to explore schemas and execute live queries against Deel.

Build with MCP Server. Deploy with CData Drivers.

Download MCP Server for free and give your AI tools schema-aware access to live Deel data during development. When you're ready to move to production, CData Deel Drivers deliver the same SQL-based access with enterprise-grade performance, security, and reliability.

Visit the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and explore what's possible with MCP-powered AI workflows.