Build Jira-Powered Applications in Cursor with CData Code Assist MCP
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 Code Assist MCP for Jira, configuring the connection to Jira, connecting the Code Assist MCP add-on to Cursor, and querying live Jira data from within the editor.
About Jira Data Integration
CData simplifies access and integration of live Jira data. Our customers leverage CData connectivity to:
- Gain bi-directional access to their Jira objects like issues, projects, and workflows.
- Use SQL stored procedures to perform functional actions like changing issues status, creating custom fields, download or uploading an attachment, modifying or retrieving time tracking settings, and more.
- Authenticate securely using a variety of methods, including username and password, OAuth, personal access token, API token, Crowd or OKTA SSO, LDAP, and more.
Most users leverage CData solutions to integrate Jira data with their database or data warehouse, whether that's using CData Sync directly or relying on CData's compatibility with platforms like SSIS or Azure Data Factory. Others are looking to get analytics and reporting on live Jira data from preferred analytics tools like Tableau and Power BI.
Learn more about how customers are seamlessly connecting to their Jira data to solve business problems from our blog: Drivers in Focus: Collaboration Tools.
Getting Started
Step 1: Download and install the CData Code Assist MCP for Jira
- To begin, download the CData Code Assist MCP for Jira
- Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
- Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation
When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure your Code Assist MCP add-on by connecting to Jira.
Step 2: Configure the connection to Jira
- After installation, open the CData Code Assist MCP for Jira configuration wizard
NOTE: If the wizard does not open automatically, search for "CData Code Assist MCP for Jira" in the Windows search bar and open the application.
- In MCP Configuration > Configuration Name, either select an existing configuration or choose
to create a new one
- Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_jira") and click OK
-
Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard
To connect to JIRA, provide the User and Password. Additionally, provide the Url; for example, https://yoursitename.atlassian.net.
- Click Connect to authenticate with Jira
- Then, click Save Configuration to save the Code Assist MCP add-on
This process creates a .mcp configuration file that Cursor will reference when launching the Code Assist MCP add-on. Now with your Code Assist MCP add-on configured, you are ready to connect it to Cursor.
Step 3: Connect the Code Assist MCP add-on to Cursor
- Download the Cursor desktop application and complete the sign-up flow for your account
-
From the top menu, click Settings to open the settings panel
-
In the left navigation, open the Tools & MCP tab and click Add Custom MCP
- Cursor opens an mcp.json file in the editor
- Add the code shown below and save the file
- After saving and testing your connection in the configuration wizard, click Next
- Select Cursor from the AI MCP Tool dropdown
- Follow the MCP Client Instructions to create the required folders for the MCP config
- Copy the displayed JSON code and paste it into your configuration file
- In Cursor, open the project folder you created with the mcp.json config
- The Code Assist MCP add-on should appear as Running under Installed MCP Servers
Option 1: Manually add the MCP configuration
{
"mcpServers": {
"cdata-local": {
"command": "C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-17/bin/java.exe",
"args": [
"-jar",
"C:/Program Files/CData/CData Code Assist MCP for Jira/lib/cdata.mcp.jira.jar",
"cdata_jira"
]
}
}
}
NOTE: The command value should point to your Java 17+ java.exe executable, and the JAR path should point to the installed CData Code Assist MCP add-on .jar file. The final argument must match the MCP configuration name you saved in the CData configuration wizard (e.g. "cdata_jira").
Option 2: Copy the MCP configuration from the CData Code Assist MCP for Jira UI
Step 4: Query live Jira data in Cursor
- From the top bar, click Toggle AI Pane to open the chat window
- Ask questions about your Jira data using natural language. For example:
"List all tables available in my Jira data connection."
Cursor is now fully integrated with CData Code Assist MCP for Jira and can use the MCP tools exposed to explore schemas and execute live queries against Jira.
Build with Code Assist MCP. Deploy with CData Drivers.
Download Code Assist MCP for free and give your AI tools schema-aware access to live Jira data during development. When you're ready to move to production, CData Jira 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.