Developer tools · MCP server
Kibana: MCP server, setup and security
Kibana is an open-source MCP server that lets an AI agent discover Kibana APIs dynamically and access integrated Elastic Stack services. Its repository has 84 stars and its last commit is from October 11, 2026 and it is licensed under Apache-2.0.
| Adoption (stars) | 19/40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 30/30 | |
| Framework (licence, registry, official) | 15/30 |
What Kibana does
According to its repository: “Kibana MCP Server with dynamic API discovery and comprehensive Elastic Stack integration”
An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Kibana is listed under Developer tools, a category of 475 servers in the directory, where it ranks #195 by stars.
Installing and connecting Kibana
Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:
- npm package (Node.js, usually started with
npx)
Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: TypeScript.
The registry lists 5 secret variables to provide (API key, access token). Keep them in the client's environment variables, never in a shared file or a repository.
Security: what to check
An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.
Points found for Kibana:
- Secrets: the server acts with your credentials. Create a dedicated key with minimum rights and an expiry date.
Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.
Project activity and maintenance
Created on April 27, 2025, the TocharianOU/mcp-server-kibana repository has 84 stars and 28 forks, with 1 open issues. It has more stars than 63% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.11.1 (October 11, 2026).
Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.
Verdict
Kibana is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.
Strengths
- Active project: recent commit
- Listed in the official MCP registry
- Permissive licence (Apache-2.0)
Limitations
- Requires an API key or token
Avoid if…
- You do not want to give credentials to an agent
Alternatives
- Radar Kubernetes MCP Server3.9K ★
- Repowise7.9K ★
- Jscpd6.4K ★
- Apify MCP server12.9K ★
- Codebase Memory47.4K ★
- PostHog MCP Server40.4K ★
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Kibana?
Kibana is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of TocharianOU/mcp-server-kibana.
Is Kibana free?
The code is published under the Apache-2.0 licence and can be used free of charge. It needs an API key: the service it connects to may be paid.
Is Kibana safe?
Points to watch: secrets. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.
Is it an official server?
Nothing says so: it is a project published by TocharianOU on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.
What are the alternatives to Kibana?
In the same category: Radar Kubernetes MCP Server, Repowise, Jscpd, and Apify MCP server. Radar Kubernetes MCP Server and Repowise score higher on our grid.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score