Set up New Relic MCP

This guide walks you through setting up New Relic's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server with your preferred AI development tools. Choose your environment below for platform-specific instructions.

Before you begin the New Relic MCP setup, ensure you have completed the prerequisites, including the authentication setup. Then, follow the instructions for your specific development environment.

Filtering Tools with include-tags

The New Relic MCP tools are organized and categorized using internal tags (such as alerting, discovery, and data-access).

You can dynamically filter the tools your AI agent accesses by sending the include-tags HTTP header with your requests as shown here:

"servers": {
    "new-relic-mcp-server": {
        "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
        "type": "http",
        "headers": {
            "api-key": "NRAK-****",
            "include-tags": "discovery,alerting"
        }
    }
}

For the complete list of available tags and the tools associated with each, refer to the New Relic MCP tool reference documentation.

Claude Code setup

Claude Code supports both OAuth (recommended) and API key authentication methods. OAuth requires Claude Code version 2.1.186 or later. If you are on older versions, you should authenticate via /mcp inside Claude instead of claude mcp login.

OAuth method (recommended)

1. Ensure you have Claude Code installed and configured.

2. Add the MCP server using the command line:

   bash

   Copia

   $
   claude mcp add --transport http newrelic https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/
   $
   claude mcp login newrelic

   Or, edit ~/.claude.json as shown here:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "newrelic": {
         "type": "http",
         "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/"
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

3. Follow the browser OAuth flow to complete authentication.

API key method

1. Add the MCP server using the command line:

   bash

   Copia

   $
   claude mcp add --transport http newrelic https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/ --header "api-key: NRAK-YOUR-KEY-HERE"

   Or, edit ~/.claude.json as shown here:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "newrelic": {
         "type": "http",
         "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
         "headers": {
           "api-Key": "NRAK-YOUR-KEY-HERE"
         }
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

2. Verify that the MCP server is listed:

   bash

   Copia

   $
   claude mcp list

3. Start Claude:

   bash

   Copia

   $
   claude

If you encounter connection errors after setup, refer to Unexpected connection error in Claude Code and Stale OAuth credentials in Claude Desktop.

Antigravity CLI setup

API key method

1. Ensure you have Antigravity CLI installed on your machine.

2. Configure the MCP server by opening (or creating) the configuration file:

   • macOS/Linux: ~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json

   • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.gemini\config\mcp_config.json

     Add the following configuration:

     {
       "mcpServers": {
         "newrelic": {
           "serverUrl": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
           "headers": {
             "api-key": "NRAK-YOUR-KEY-HERE"
           }
         }
       }
     }

     Copia

3. Start Antigravity CLI:

   bash

   Copia

   $
   agy

4. Run /mcp to verify the New Relic server is connected.

Kiro CLI setup

OAuth method (recommended)

1. Ensure you have the Kiro CLI tool installed on your machine.

2. Configure the MCP server by opening (or creating) the configuration file located at ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json and add the following configuration:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "newrelic-mcp-server": {
         "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
         "oauth": {
           "authorizationUrl": "https://oauth2.service.newrelic.com/oauth2/auth",
           "tokenUrl": "https://oauth2.service.newrelic.com/oauth2/token",
           "scopes": ["observability:read", "offline", "offline_access"],
           "usePKCE": true
         },
         "disabled": false
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

3. Authenticate and connect:

   • Open your terminal and run kiro-cli.
   • Type the command /mcp and hit enter.
   • You will see the New Relic server listed with a URL. Open that URL in your browser.
   • Complete the standard New Relic login process.
   • After you're authenticated, the browser will confirm success.

API key method

1. Ensure you have the Kiro CLI tool installed on your machine.

2. Configure the MCP server by opening (or creating) ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json and add the following configuration:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "newrelic-mcp-server": {
         "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
         "headers": {
           "api-key": "NRAK-YOUR-KEY-HERE"
         },
         "disabled": false
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

3. Open your terminal and run kiro-cli. The New Relic MCP server will connect automatically.

Claude Desktop setup

Claude Desktop requires the mcp-remote proxy for OAuth authentication. Ensure you have Node.js installed on your computer for npx to work.

OAuth method (recommended)

1. Create the config directory (if needed):

   bash

   Copia

   $
   mkdir -p "~/Library/Application Support/Claude"

2. Edit the config file: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows).

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "new-relic-mcp": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/"]
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

3. Restart Claude Desktop.

API key method

1. Add the MCP server by editing ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows) as shown here:

   • For macOS:

     {
       "mcpServers": {
         "newrelic": {
           "command": "npx",
           "args": [
             "-y",
             "mcp-remote",
             "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
             "--transport",
             "http",
             "--header",
             "api-key: NRAK-xxxx"
           ]
         }
       }
     }

     Copia

   • For Windows:

     {
       "mcpServers": {
         "newrelic": {
           "command": "C:\\PROGRA~1\\nodejs\\npx.cmd",
           "args": [
             "-y",
             "mcp-remote",
             "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
             "--transport",
             "http",
             "--header",
             "api-key: NRAK-xxxx"
           ]
         }
       }
     }

     Copia

2. Restart Claude Desktop. On Windows, changes may not take effect until the Claude application is closed via Task Manager.

Windsurf setup

OAuth method

1. Edit the config file, ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json, as shown here:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "new-relic": {
         "serverUrl": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/"
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

2. Restart Windsurf.

3. Check MCP servers using the hammer icon in the Cascade panel.

API key method

1. Add the MCP server by editing ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json as shown here:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "newrelic-api": {
         "serverUrl": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
         "headers": {
           "api-key": "NRAK-YOUR-API-KEY"
         }
       }
     }
   }

   Copia

2. Restart Windsurf.

VS Code setup

VS Code remains fully supported with both authentication methods. You need VS Code (version 1.91 or later).

OAuth method

Add the MCP server by editing .vscode/mcp.json as shown here:

{
  "servers": {
    "new-relic-mcp": {
      "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
      "type": "http"
    }
  }
}

API key method

Add the MCP server by editing .vscode/mcp.json as shown here:

{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "nr-api-key",
      "description": "New Relic User API Key",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "new-relic-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.newrelic.com/mcp/",
      "headers": {
        "api-key": "${input:nr-api-key}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1. Create or open mcp.json in your VS Code workspace:

   • If you don't have a .vscode directory, create one in your project root.
     • Inside .vscode, create a file named mcp.json.
     • Add your authentication configuration using one of the methods above.

2. Start server:

   • Ensure your mcp.json file is open in the editor.
   • Look for a clickable link (CodeLens) above your server configuration. Click it to start the MCP server.

Once connected, you can interact with New Relic AI using natural language prompts. The MCP server will manage authentication and data retrieval from your New Relic account.