DAB MCP (Data API builder)

A Visual Studio Code extension that installs Data API Builder configurations as MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers.

Features

• Adds a right-click context menu for files named dab-config.json or staticwebapp.database.config.json.
• Automatically generates server name from the folder name (e.g., "my-project" becomes "my-project-mcp").
• Uses VS Code's MCP install protocol to handle installation automatically.
• Configures dynamic log level selection via VS Code input variable.
• One-click installation - no manual editing required.

Usage

1. Right-click on a dab-config.json file in the Explorer.
2. Select "Install MCP Server" from the context menu.
3. VS Code will automatically handle the MCP server installation.
4. Restart VS Code to activate the MCP server.

Requirements

• Ensure that dab is installed: dotnet tool install microsoft.dataapibuilder -g.
• GitHub Copilot Chat extension must be installed to use MCP servers.

MCP Server Configuration

The extension adds a configuration like this to your VS Code settings using STDIO transport:

{
  "servers": {
    "my-project-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "dab",
      "args": [
        "start",
        "--mcp-stdio",
        "role:anonymous",
        "--loglevel",
        "${input:logLevel}",
        "--config",
        "${workspaceFolder}/dab-config.json"
      ]
    }
  },
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "logLevel",
      "type": "pickString",
      "description": "DAB log level",
      "default": "none",
      "options": ["none", "trace", "debug", "information", "warning", "error", "critical"]
    }
  ]
}

The server name is automatically generated from the folder name containing the config file. Spaces and special characters are converted to hyphens, and "-mcp" is appended.

The configuration path uses ${workspaceFolder} variable for portability, with a relative path from the workspace root to the config file.

The log level uses an input variable ${input:logLevel} which allows you to select the logging level dynamically when the MCP server starts.

Learn more about DAB's STDIO transport: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-api-builder/mcp/stdio-transport

Known Issues

• Requires VS Code restart to activate the MCP server after installation.
• MCP server feature requires GitHub Copilot Chat extension.

Release Notes

1.0.3 - 2026-03-14

Changed

• Version bump for coordinated release

1.0.0 - 2026-03-13

Added

• Initial release
• Install MCP Server command for dab-config.json files
• Automatic server name generation from folder name (e.g., "my-project" → "my-project-mcp")
• Smart character cleaning (spaces and special characters converted to hyphens)
• Uses VS Code's vscode:mcp/install protocol for seamless installation
• Configures DAB with STDIO transport for MCP communication
• Uses ${workspaceFolder} variable for portable configuration paths
• Dynamic log level selection with VS Code input variable (${input:logLevel})
• One-click installation with no manual configuration needed