Transaction Log

Appearance

Getting Started with MCP Server ​

This tutorial will guide you through setting up the Txlog Agent as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, allowing AI assistants like Claude or Gemini to query your datacenter information directly.

Prerequisites ​

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  1. Txlog Agent installed (see Getting Started).
  2. Txlog Server version 1.19.0 or higher running and accessible.
  3. A configured txlog.yaml with valid server credentials.
  4. An MCP-compatible client (e.g., Claude Desktop, Gemini CLI).

Step 1: Verify Configuration ​

First, ensure your txlog.yaml is properly configured:

bash
cat /etc/txlog.yaml

You should see your server URL and authentication configured:

yaml
server:
  url: https://txlog.example.com:8080
  api_key: your_api_key_here

Step 2: Start the MCP Server ​

The MCP server can run in two modes. For Claude Desktop integration, use stdio mode:

bash
txlog mcp serve

You should see output indicating the server is ready:

text
MCP server started in stdio mode

Step 3: Configure Claude Desktop ​

To use the MCP server with Claude Desktop, add this configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json:

Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonmacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonWindows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "txlog": {
      "command": "/usr/bin/txlog",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve", "--config", "/etc/txlog.yaml"]
    }
  }
}

After saving, restart Claude Desktop.

Step 4: Test the Integration ​

Open Claude Desktop and try asking natural language questions about your infrastructure:

  • "Which servers are running AlmaLinux 9?"
  • "List all servers that need to be restarted"
  • "Show me the package transactions for server webserver01"
  • "Generate an executive report for December 2024"

Step 5: Try Available Prompts ​

The MCP server includes pre-built prompts for common tasks. In Claude Desktop, you can access them through the prompt menu:

  • Infrastructure Report: Complete overview of your datacenter
  • Security Audit: Focus on specific packages
  • Troubleshoot Asset: Debug a specific server
  • Compliance Check: Verify infrastructure compliance

Next Steps: Check the How-to Guides to learn about SSE transport for web clients, or explore the Reference for a complete list of available tools.