Elasticsearch MCP Server
Search, query, and manage Elasticsearch indices. Full-text search, aggregations, and data analysis.
- Maintained by
- Elastic
- Hosting
- Runs locally on your machine
- Authentication
- API key or credentials (environment variables)
- Last checked
Deprecated (critical security fixes only); superseded by the Elastic Agent Builder MCP endpoint in Elastic 9.2+ and Serverless.
How to connect the Elasticsearch MCP server
Pick your AI client and paste the snippet. Swap the YOUR_… placeholders for your own values. New to this? Our guide to how MCP clients and servers fit together explains what each piece does.
Claude Code
claude mcp add --env ES_URL=YOUR_ELASTICSEARCH_URL --env ES_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY --transport stdio elasticsearch \
-- docker run -i --rm -e ES_URL -e ES_API_KEY docker.elastic.co/mcp/elasticsearch stdioClaude Desktop
{
"mcpServers": {
"elasticsearch": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"-e",
"ES_URL",
"-e",
"ES_API_KEY",
"docker.elastic.co/mcp/elasticsearch",
"stdio"
],
"env": {
"ES_URL": "YOUR_ELASTICSEARCH_URL",
"ES_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop after saving.
Full Claude Desktop setup guide →Cursor
{
"mcpServers": {
"elasticsearch": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"-e",
"ES_URL",
"-e",
"ES_API_KEY",
"docker.elastic.co/mcp/elasticsearch",
"stdio"
],
"env": {
"ES_URL": "YOUR_ELASTICSEARCH_URL",
"ES_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}VS Code
{
"servers": {
"elasticsearch": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"-e",
"ES_URL",
"-e",
"ES_API_KEY",
"docker.elastic.co/mcp/elasticsearch",
"stdio"
],
"env": {
"ES_URL": "YOUR_ELASTICSEARCH_URL",
"ES_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}Frequently asked questions
What is the Elasticsearch MCP server?
It is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server — a small piece of software that gives AI assistants like Claude a secure, governed connection to Elasticsearch. Search, query, and manage Elasticsearch indices. Full-text search, aggregations, and data analysis.
Is there an official Elasticsearch MCP server?
Yes. The Elasticsearch MCP server is an official integration, maintained by the vendor or the Model Context Protocol project, which makes it the safest default for business use. It is maintained by Elastic.
Is the Elasticsearch MCP server hosted, or do I run it myself?
It runs locally. Your AI client starts it on your own machine with docker, and it talks to the client over standard input and output rather than the network.
Do I need an API key for the Elasticsearch MCP server?
Yes. The local server reads ES_URL, ES_API_KEY from its environment, so you create those credentials first and add them to your client's config.
What can an AI assistant actually do with Elasticsearch?
Through this server an assistant can work with search, indexing, aggregations, analytics — reading from and acting on Elasticsearch directly instead of you copy-pasting between windows. What you allow it to do is controlled by the permissions you grant.
How do I set this up for my business?
The setup section above has copy-paste config for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code. If you want it rolled out across a team with permissions, governance and support handled, that is what Crox's Build engagement covers.
New to MCP? Start with our plain-English guide to the Model Context Protocol or see how to connect AI to your business tools without writing code .
Want this connected to your business — with governance handled?
Crox maps your processes, connects AI to the tools you already use, and keeps it working as models change. Start with a readiness assessment or talk to us about a build.