Azure DevOps MCP

A dynamic Azure DevOps MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that automatically switches authentication context based on the current working directory. This enables seamless integration with multiple Azure DevOps organizations and projects from a single MCP server.

Features

• Local Configuration Files: Each repository contains .azure-devops.json configuration
• Dynamic Environment Switching: Automatically detects project context based on directory location
• Multiple Project Support: Supports unlimited projects with separate authentication
• Comprehensive Azure DevOps Integration: Work items, repositories, builds, and more
• Zero Configuration Switching: Seamless switching between projects with local config files
• Secure Token Storage: PAT tokens stored locally per repository (excluded from git)
• Error Handling & Fallback: Robust error handling with graceful degradation to environment variables

Local Configuration

Each repository should contain a .azure-devops.json configuration file:

Configuration File Structure

{
  "organizationUrl": "https://dev.azure.com/your-org",
  "project": "YourProject",
  "pat": "your-pat-token-here",
  "description": "Azure DevOps configuration for this repository",
  "settings": {
    "timeout": 30000,
    "retries": 3,
    "apiVersion": "7.1"
  },
  "tools": {
    "workItems": true,
    "repositories": true,
    "builds": true,
    "pullRequests": true,
    "pipelines": true
  },
  "meta": {
    "configVersion": "1.0",
    "lastUpdated": "2025-07-21",
    "createdBy": "devops-mcp"
  }
}

Security Configuration

Important: Add .azure-devops.json to your .gitignore file:

# Azure DevOps MCP local configuration (contains PAT tokens)
.azure-devops.json

Example Projects

RiverSync Project

• Directory: /Users/wangkanai/Sources/riversync
• Configuration: .azure-devops.json with RiverSync organization settings

Mula Project

• Directory: /Users/wangkanai/Sources/mula
• Configuration: .azure-devops.json with Mula organization settings

Installation

Claude Code Installation (Recommended)

# Install and add to Claude Code MCP
claude mcp add devops -- npx -y @wangkanai/devops-mcp

Note: The -y flag automatically accepts the package installation prompt, ensuring smooth non-interactive execution for MCP servers.

Claude Desktop Installation

For Claude Desktop users, add this configuration to your MCP settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "devops-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@wangkanai/devops-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop MCP Settings Location:

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

Available Tools

**📋 For comprehensive command documentation with detailed examples, see MCP-COMMANDS.md**

Work Items

• get-work-items: Retrieve work items using WIQL queries or specific IDs with field selection
• create-work-item: Create new work items with full hierarchy support (Epic → Feature → User Story → Task)
• update-work-item: Update existing work items including state, assignments, parent relationships, and iteration paths
• add-work-item-comment: Add comments to existing work items for progress tracking

Repositories & Pull Requests

• get-repositories: List all repositories in the current project context
• get-pull-requests: Get pull requests with filtering options (status, creator, repository)

Builds & Pipelines

• get-builds: Get build definitions and recent build history with filtering
• trigger-pipeline: Trigger build pipelines with parameters and branch selection
• get-pipeline-status: Get detailed build status and timeline information

Context Management

• get-current-context: Get current Azure DevOps context based on directory

🎯 Key Features

• ✅ Hierarchical Work Items: Full Epic → Feature → User Story → Task hierarchy support
• ✅ Parent Relationships: Establish parent-child relationships during work item creation
• ✅ WIQL Queries: Powerful Work Item Query Language support for complex searches
• ✅ Sprint Management: Iteration path assignment and management
• ✅ Pipeline Integration: Trigger builds and monitor deployment status
• ✅ Multi-Project Support: Seamless switching between Azure DevOps organizations

Usage Examples

Get Current Context

{
  "name": "get-current-context",
  "arguments": {
    "directory": "/Users/wangkanai/Sources/riversync"
  }
}

Query Work Items

{
  "name": "get-work-items",
  "arguments": {
    "wiql": "SELECT [System.Id], [System.Title] FROM WorkItems WHERE [System.State] = 'Active'"
  }
}

Create Work Item

{
  "name": "create-work-item",
  "arguments": {
    "type": "Task",
    "title": "Implement new feature",
    "description": "Add authentication system",
    "assignedTo": "user@example.com"
  }
}

Get Repositories

{
  "name": "get-repositories",
  "arguments": {
    "includeLinks": true
  }
}

Directory Detection Logic

The server uses intelligent directory detection:

1. Exact Match: Direct match of configured directory paths

2. Nested Directory Support: Detects parent project directories

3. Longest Match Priority: Most specific directory match takes precedence

4. Parent Directory Search: Searches up the directory tree for matches

5. Fallback Configuration: Uses default configuration when no match found

Local Configuration

Each repository should contain a .azure-devops.json configuration file:

Configuration File Structure

{
  "organizationUrl": "https://dev.azure.com/your-org",
  "project": "YourProject",
  "pat": "your-pat-token-here",
  "description": "Azure DevOps configuration for this repository",
  "settings": {
    "timeout": 30000,
    "retries": 3,
    "apiVersion": "7.1"
  },
  "tools": {
    "workItems": true,
    "repositories": true,
    "builds": true,
    "pullRequests": true,
    "pipelines": true
  },
  "meta": {
    "configVersion": "1.0",
    "lastUpdated": "2025-07-21",
    "createdBy": "devops-mcp"
  }
}

Security Configuration

Important: Add .azure-devops.json to your .gitignore file:

# Azure DevOps MCP local configuration (contains PAT tokens)
.azure-devops.json

Example Projects

RiverSync Project

• Directory: /Users/wangkanai/Sources/riversync
• Configuration: .azure-devops.json with RiverSync organization settings

Mula Project

• Directory: /Users/wangkanai/Sources/mula
• Configuration: .azure-devops.json with Mula organization settings

Authentication

The server uses Personal Access Tokens (PAT) for Azure DevOps authentication. PAT tokens are configured per project in local .azure-devops.json configuration files within each repository.

PAT Token Requirements

PAT tokens should have the following scopes:

• Work Items: Read & Write
• Code: Read
• Build: Read
• Project and Team: Read

Error Handling

The server includes comprehensive error handling:

• Configuration Errors: Graceful fallback when configuration is missing
• Authentication Errors: Clear error messages for authentication failures
• API Errors: Detailed error reporting for Azure DevOps API issues
• Network Errors: Retry logic and timeout handling

Testing & Validation

Enhanced Validation System (Recommended)

The enhanced validation system includes MCP server startup, connection verification, and readiness checks:

1. MCP Server Warmup

# Prepare MCP servers for validation
./warmup-mcp.sh

# Use custom configuration file
./warmup-mcp.sh custom-config.json

2. Enhanced Comprehensive Validation

# Full validation with MCP server initialization
./validate-enhanced.sh

# Skip interactive Claude tests (faster)
./validate-enhanced.sh --skip-interactive

# Extended warmup for slow systems
./validate-enhanced.sh --warmup 20

# Test only specific repositories
./validate-enhanced.sh --repos "RiverSync,Mula"

# Use custom configuration file
./validate-enhanced.sh --config custom-config.json

# Show all options
./validate-enhanced.sh --help

3. Manual Testing

# Build and test the server manually
npm run build
node test-server.js

Configuration File

The generic validation system uses validation-config.json:

{
  "proxyPath": "/Users/wangkanai/Sources/devops-mcp",
  "repositories": [
    {
      "name": "RiverSync",
      "path": "/Users/wangkanai/Sources/riversync",
      "expectedOrganization": "riversync",
      "organizationUrl": "https://dev.azure.com/riversync",
      "project": "RiverSync",
      "enabled": true
    }
  ],
  "testSettings": {
    "timeoutSeconds": 30,
    "skipInteractive": false,
    "mcpServerName": "devops-mcp",
    "configFileName": ".azure-devops.json"
  },
  "expectedTools": ["workItems", "repositories", "builds", "pullRequests", "pipelines"]
}

Enhanced Validation Features

The enhanced validation system includes:

🚀 MCP Server Management

• Startup Verification: Ensures MCP servers are properly configured
• Connection Testing: Verifies server connectivity with retry logic
• Readiness Checks: Confirms servers respond to basic commands
• Warmup Period: Configurable delay for server initialization (default: 10s)

🔍 Comprehensive Testing Coverage

• ✅ Prerequisites: PowerShell, Claude Code, directory structure, proxy build
• ✅ MCP Initialization: Server startup, connectivity, and readiness verification
• ✅ Local Configuration: .azure-devops.json file validation with expected values
• ✅ Server Configuration: Local scope verification without environment variables
• ✅ Claude Integration: MCP command execution and context detection
• ✅ Dynamic Switching: Environment switching between multiple repositories
• ✅ Error Handling: Comprehensive error detection and reporting with retry logic

Expected Results

Full Validation Results:

• Pass Rate: >90% for successful implementation
• All MCP commands functional in both repositories
• Automatic context switching based on directory location

Legacy Environment Configuration (Deprecated)

The server previously supported a global config/environments.json file for environment mapping. This approach has been deprecated in favor of local .azure-devops.json configuration files for better security and project isolation.

If you need to migrate from the old environment-based configuration, convert your settings to local configuration files in each repository.

Architecture

Core Components

• AzureDevOpsMCPProxy: Main server class with MCP protocol handling
• DirectoryDetector: Smart directory detection and configuration mapping
• ToolHandlers: Azure DevOps API integration and tool implementations
• ConfigLoader: Configuration file loading and validation

Request Flow

1. Tool Call Received: MCP client sends tool call request

2. Context Detection: Directory detector identifies current project context

3. Configuration Switch: Server switches to appropriate Azure DevOps configuration

4. API Request: Tool handler makes authenticated API request to Azure DevOps

5. Response Processing: Response is formatted and returned to MCP client

Integration with Claude Code

This MCP server is designed to work seamlessly with Claude Code for Azure DevOps operations:

1. Automatic Context Switching: When working in RiverSync or Mula project directories

2. Transparent Authentication: No manual configuration required

3. Rich Tool Set: Comprehensive Azure DevOps functionality

4. Error Recovery: Graceful handling of authentication and network issues

Security Considerations

• PAT tokens are stored in configuration files (ensure proper file permissions)
• HTTPS is used for all Azure DevOps API communications
• Authentication is handled per-request with proper token encoding
• No token caching or persistence beyond configuration file

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Installation Command Issues (Issue #14 Resolution)

Problem: Incorrect installation commands that fail to start the server

Root Cause: Outdated documentation showing incorrect command syntax

Solution: Use the correct installation command:

# ✅ Correct (RECOMMENDED)
claude mcp add devops-mcp -- -y @wangkanai/devops-mcp

# ❌ Incorrect (will fail)

Alternative working commands:

# Global installation method
npm install -g @wangkanai/devops-mcp
claude mcp add devops-mcp -- devops-mcp

2. Configuration Issues

1. Configuration Not Found: Ensure .azure-devops.json exists in your project directory

2. Authentication Errors: Verify PAT token permissions and expiration in your local configuration

3. Directory Detection: Check that your project has a valid .azure-devops.json file

4. API Errors: Verify Azure DevOps organization and project names in your local configuration

3. Installation Verification

Test your installation with these commands:

# Test server startup (build and run directly)
npm run build && node dist/index.js

# Verify MCP integration
mcp__devops-mcp__get-current-context

# Test work item creation
mcp__devops-mcp__create-work-item --type "Task" --title "Test Item"

Debug Mode

Enable debug logging by setting environment variable:

export DEBUG=devops-mcp
npm start

NPM Package Technical Details

• Package Name: @wangkanai/devops-mcp
• Binary Name: devops-mcp (auto-generated by NPM)
• Latest Version: Check with npm view @wangkanai/devops-mcp version
• Installation Verification: npm list -g @wangkanai/devops-mcp

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.