Installing the watsonx Orchestrate ADK MCP Server

The watsonx Orchestrate ADK MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol server that provides tools for performing actions available in the Orchestrate ADK, such as agent, tool, and knowledge base creation.

MCP is a standard adopted by most leading AI platforms, including watsonx Orchestrate, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Desktop, and many more.

With the watsonx Orchestrate ADK MCP Server, you enable these platforms to utilise the Orchestrate ADK to manage Orchestrate agents, tools, and other resources in your Orchestrate environment. This can be a great way to improve your efficiency and get started quickly with building in the watsonx Orchestrate platform.

There are two general approaches you can use to install the watsonx Orchestrate ADK MCP Server. The first and recommended way uses tools like pipx or uvx, which automatically install the package in an isolated environment and run it for you. The second approach involves installing and running the package manually.

Before you begin

Required software

The watsonx Orchestrate ADK MCP Server requires the use of the watsonx Orchestrate ADK. Make sure you have all the necessary dependencies.

Package Runner Approach

You can run the watsonx Orchestrate ADK MCP Server using either pipx or uvx. This method combines file installation and server startup into a single command.

uvx

uv is a new Python package and environment manager written in Rust. It replaces many common tools such as pip, pip-tools, pipx, poetry, pyenv, twine, and virtualenv in a single tool. For more information, see Install uv.

BASH

uvx ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server

pipx

BASH

pipx run ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server

Local Installation Approach

You can install the package locally. For this approach, use a virtual environment to avoid package conflicts.

System installation

1. Install the MCP Server package on your system:

BASH

pip install  --upgrade ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server

2. Start the MCP Server:

BASH

ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server

Virtual environments

1. Create your virtual environment:

   BASH

   python -m venv .venv
   

2. Activate your virtual environment:

   macOS & Linux

   source ./.venv/bin/activate
   

3. Install the MCP Server:

   pip install ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server
   

4. Start the MCP Server:

   ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server
   

uv

uv is a new Python package and environment manager written in Rust. It replaces many common tools such as pip, pip-tools, pipx, poetry, pyenv, twine, and virtualenv in a single tool.

1. After you install uv, initialize your project:

   uv init
   

2. Add the MCP Server to your list of dependencies:

   uv add ibm-watsonx-orchestrate
   

3. Activate your virtual environment:

   macOS & Linux

   source ./.venv/bin/activate
   

4. Start the MCP Server:

   ibm-watsonx-orchestrate-mcp-server