Build Zendesk-Powered Applications in Claude Code with CData Code Assist MCP

Claude Code is an AI-powered command line tool that enables agentic coding workflows. With support for MCP, Claude Code can connect to local tools and enterprise data sources directly from your terminal, 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.

The following steps cover installing the CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk, configuring the connection to Zendesk, connecting the Code Assist MCP add-on to Claude Code, and querying live Zendesk data from within the terminal.

Step 1: Download and install the CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk

1. To begin, download the CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk
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 Code Assist MCP add-on by connecting to Zendesk.

Step 2: Configure the connection to Zendesk

1. After installation, open the CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk configuration wizard

   NOTE: If the wizard does not open automatically, search for "CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk" 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_zendesk") and click OK

4. Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard

   Connecting to Zendesk

   To connect, set the URL and provide authentication. The URL is your Zendesk Support URL: https://{subdomain}.zendesk.com.

   Authenticating to Zendesk

   You can authenticate using the Basic or OAuth methods.

   Using Basic Authentication

   To use Basic authentication, specify your email address and password or your email address and an API token. Set User to your email address and follow the steps below to provide the Password or ApiToken.

   • Enable password access in the Zendesk Support admin interface at Admin > Channels > API.
   • Manage API tokens in the Zendesk Support Admin interface at Admin > Channels > API. More than one token can be active at the same time. Deleting a token deactivates it permanently.

   Using OAuth Authentication

   See the Getting Started guide in the CData driver documentation for an authentication guide.

   
5. Click Connect to authenticate with Zendesk through OAuth
6. Then, click Save Configuration to save the Code Assist MCP add-on

This process creates a .mcp configuration file that Claude Code 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 Claude Code.

Step 3: Connect the Code Assist MCP add-on to Claude Code

1. Install the Claude Code CLI using the terminal
2. Open the Claude Code configuration file at ~/.config/claude-code/config.json (or the location shown after initialization)

Option 1: Manually add the MCP configuration

1. Open the mcp.json file in your preferred editor
2. Add the code shown below

{
"mcpServers" : {
  "cdata_zendesk" : {
    "type" : "stdio",
    "command" : "C:\Program Files\CData\CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk\jre\bin\java.exe",
    "args" : [ "-Dfile.encoding=UTF-8", "-jar", "C:\Program Files\CData\CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk/lib/cdata.mcp.zendesk.jar", "cdata_zendesk" ],  
    "env" : {}
  }
}
}

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_zendesk").

Option 2: Copy the MCP configuration from the CData Code Assist MCP for Zendesk UI

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

2. Select Claude Code from the AI MCP Tool dropdown

3. Click Copy JSON to copy the generated MCP configuration to your clipboard

4. Paste the copied JSON into the mcp.json file

Step 4: Verify connection in Claude Code

Claude Code provides tools to verify the connection is active before building.

1. Open a terminal and navigate to your project directory. Run the command claude mcp list
2. Check that your configuration name appears with a Connected status

3. Start Claude Code by running claude
4. Inside the Claude Code session, type /mcp to view active servers

Step 5: Query live Zendesk data in Claude Code

With the connection verified, you can now use natural language prompts to query and work with live Zendesk data.

1. Prompt Claude Code to review the instructions for your MCP connection to ensure it has all the appropriate context when writing code
2. Start building with natural language prompts! For example:

   For my project, data from the Tickets is very important. Pull data from the most important columns like Id and Subject.

Claude Code will use the MCP add-on to connect to Zendesk, retrieve the requested data, and provide results directly in your terminal

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 Zendesk data during development. When you're ready to move to production, CData Zendesk 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.