Overview
What is Redshift MCP Server?
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with Amazon Redshift databases. It enables developers to run SQL queries, explain query execution plans, list schemas and tables, and test database connectivity through MCP-compatible clients like Amazon Q or Claude.
How to use Redshift MCP Server?
Install Python 3.10+ and uv, then add the server to your MCP config file (e.g., .amazonq/mcp.json) using the stdio transport type, the uvx command, and the server package name redshift-mcp-server. Supply your Redshift credentials via environment variables (REDSHIFT_HOST, REDSHIFT_PORT, REDSHIFT_DATABASE, REDSHIFT_USER, REDSHIFT_PASSWORD). Optionally set FASTMCP_LOG_LEVEL. For development, run mcp dev redshift-mcp-server.
Key features of Redshift MCP Server
- Run SQL queries on Redshift
- Explain SQL query execution plans
- List tables and views in a schema
- List all schemas in the database
- Test Redshift database connectivity
Use cases of Redshift MCP Server
- Explore database structure before writing complex queries
- Optimize slow queries by reviewing execution plans
- Automate database administrative tasks via MCP-enabled AI assistants
- Quickly validate Redshift connection credentials and settings
FAQ from Redshift MCP Server
What are the runtime dependencies for Redshift MCP Server?
Python 3.10 or newer and the uv package manager are required. The server uses fastmcp as its underlying framework.
How do I authenticate to Redshift?
Provide your Redshift host, port, database name, username, and password as environment variables (REDSHIFT_HOST, REDSHIFT_PORT, etc.). Never commit these credentials to version control.
What transport protocol does Redshift MCP Server use?
It communicates over standard input/output (stdio) with the MCP client, using the uvx command to run the server.
Does the server check the database connection on startup?
Yes, the server automatically tests the Redshift connection when starting. If the test fails, the server will not start and will raise an error. You can also run a standalone test with python test_connection.py.
Can I run Redshift MCP Server in development mode?
Yes, use mcp dev redshift-mcp-server to launch the server with the MCP Inspector for interactive testing and debugging.
