MCP server Official

Elasticsearch MCP Server (deprecated)

Elastic's MCP server for querying Elasticsearch indices in natural language; deprecated in favor of Elastic Agent Builder MCP.

Author: Elastic
Works with: Any MCP client
License: Apache-2.0
Last release: Oct 24, 2025
Documented: Oct 2, 2026

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What Elasticsearch MCP Server (deprecated) is

Connects AI agents to Elasticsearch data over MCP so they can query, analyze and retrieve data without custom APIs. The README now marks it deprecated, with only critical security updates, superseded by the Elastic Agent Builder MCP endpoint (Elastic 9.2.0+ and Serverless).

What it does

Where Elasticsearch MCP Server (deprecated) runs and what it adds, from its documentation

Query Elasticsearch indices via natural language through an MCP client
Run over stdio or streamable-HTTP
Authenticate with an API key or username/password
Serve a health check at /ping in HTTP mode

When to use it

Good fit

You have an existing setup on Elasticsearch 8.x or 9.x and need this container
You want a Docker-based MCP bridge for Claude Desktop, Cursor or VS Code

Not for

New projects: the README says it is deprecated in favor of the Elastic Agent Builder MCP endpoint

How to install Elasticsearch MCP Server (deprecated)

You need: Elasticsearch 8.x or 9.x cluster; Docker; API key or username/password

Ensure an Elasticsearch 8.x/9.x cluster and API key or username/password
Have Docker running
Set ES_URL and ES_API_KEY (or ES_USERNAME/ES_PASSWORD)
Run docker run -i --rm -e ES_URL -e ES_API_KEY docker.elastic.co/mcp/elasticsearch stdio
Add the same command to your MCP client config

Configuration example (from the official docs)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "elasticsearch-mcp-server": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "-i", "--rm",
        "-e", "ES_URL",
        "-e", "ES_API_KEY",
        "docker.elastic.co/mcp/elasticsearch",
        "stdio"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ES_URL": "<elasticsearch-cluster-url>",
        "ES_API_KEY": "<elasticsearch-API-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}