Connect an MCP client to Brightway MCP

Configure Brightway MCP over local stdio or a protected HTTP endpoint.

Connect over local stdio

Use stdio when the MCP client and Brightway run on the same machine. Install Brightway MCP in the Python environment that contains Brightway.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brightway": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "brightway_mcp.server"],
      "env": { "BRIGHTWAY_READ_ONLY": "true" }
    }
  }
}

Tip

If the client starts the wrong environment, replace python with the absolute Python executable from the intended Brightway environment.

Verify the connection

text

health_check
→ list_projects
→ list_databases(project=...)
→ list_methods(project=...)

Resolve project, database, or method ambiguity before calculating.

Use read-only mode

text

BRIGHTWAY_READ_ONLY=true

Read-only mode is appropriate for inspection, benchmarks, and demonstrations where the client should not create or modify Brightway data.

Use HTTP only when needed

bash

python -m brightway_mcp.server --http

The default local bind is port 8000. For remote clients, place the service behind an authenticated HTTPS gateway, VPN, or secure tunnel rather than exposing the raw Brightway runtime.