Atlassian MCP

How to Install and Use Atlassian MCP

The Atlassian MCP (Remote MCP Server) connects your Atlassian Cloud data—like Jira, Compass, and Confluence—to AI tools or IDEs. It works securely with OAuth 2.1 and helps automate many tasks. Here’s a simple guide on how to install and start using it.

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready. You need an Atlassian Cloud site with at least one of the apps: Jira, Compass, or Confluence. Also, get the client tool you want to use (like OpenAI ChatGPT, Claude desktop, or VS Code). If you use a local client or IDE, you should install Node.js version 18 or higher because you will run a local proxy called mcp-remote. And lastly, have a modern browser ready to complete the OAuth 2.1 login.

Step 2: Connect Your Client to the MCP Server

To start using Atlassian MCP, your client needs to connect to the server. The main endpoint is:

https://mcp.atlassian.com/v1/mcp

Once connected, your browser will open a secure OAuth 2.1 authorization flow. This step lets you log in safely and grant access. After the authorization, your client can send and receive data in real-time from Jira, Compass, or Confluence.

Step 3: Install the MCP App Automatically

The MCP Server is not installed through the Atlassian Marketplace. Instead, installation happens automatically the first time a user finishes the OAuth 2.1 (3LO) consent flow.

Important notes for installation:

• The first user who completes the consent flow must have access to the requested Atlassian apps, like Jira or Confluence.
• After this first installation, other users with access to only one app (for example, just Jira) can also connect by completing the same OAuth flow.

Step 4: Set Up the Local MCP Proxy (For Desktop or Custom Clients)

If you use an IDE or a local tool, you need to run a proxy called mcp-remote with Node.js. This proxy connects your local client to the MCP Server securely.

To install and run mcp-remote, open your terminal and run:

npm install -g @atlassian/mcp-remote
mcp-remote --server-url https://mcp.atlassian.com/v1/mcp

This command installs the proxy globally and starts it pointing to the MCP Server. Make sure your client uses the proxy to connect.

Step 5: Use Example Commands in Your Client

Once everything is set up, you can start automating your workflows. For Jira, try these sample commands:

• Search for open bugs:

  Find all open bugs in Project Alpha.
  

• Create a new story:

  Create a story titled "Redesign onboarding".
  

For Confluence, you can:

• Summarize pages:

  Summarize the Q2 planning page.
  

• Create new pages:

  Create a page titled "Team Goals Q3".
  

Step 6: Manage Access and Troubleshoot

Admins can manage app access from the organization’s Marketplace and Third-party apps settings. Users can revoke permissions from their Atlassian profile under app settings.

If you see errors like “Your site admin must authorize this app,” ensure a site admin completes the initial consent flow. IP allowlisting errors mean your current IP is blocked; contact your admin to fix it.

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By following these simple steps, you can set up the Atlassian MCP Server and start connecting your favorite tools to your Atlassian Cloud data instantly and securely.