software

Airflow MCP Server

Model Context Protocol server for Apache Airflow workflow management and orchestration.

Problem Statement

AI applications needed a way to interact with Apache Airflow workflows through a standardized protocol, enabling automated workflow management, monitoring, and orchestration.

Solution Approach

We developed an MCP server that provides comprehensive Airflow functionality:

  • DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) management
  • Task execution and monitoring
  • Workflow scheduling and triggering
  • Log access and debugging
  • Connection and variable management

Technologies Used

  • Python 3.11+ - Core language
  • FastAPI - MCP server framework
  • Apache Airflow - Workflow orchestration platform
  • Airflow REST API - Official Airflow API client
  • MCP Protocol - Model Context Protocol

Key Achievements

  • ✅ Full Airflow API integration
  • ✅ DAG lifecycle management
  • ✅ Real-time workflow monitoring
  • ✅ Secure authentication handling
  • ✅ Production-ready deployment

Impact

Enables AI applications to:

  • Automate workflow management
  • Monitor and debug Airflow DAGs
  • Trigger workflows on demand
  • Manage Airflow connections and variables

Lessons Learned

  • Workflow orchestration APIs require careful state management
  • Real-time monitoring adds significant value
  • Authentication and security are critical for production use
  • Clear abstractions simplify complex workflow operations