ConnectWise API Gateway MCP Server

ConnectWise API Gateway MCP Server

This Model Context Protocol (MCP) server provides a comprehensive interface for interacting with the ConnectWise Manage API. It simplifies API discovery, execution, and management for both developers and AI assistants.

Core Capabilities

• API Discovery: Search for and explore ConnectWise API endpoints using keywords or natural language
• Simplified API Execution: Execute API calls with friendly parameter handling and automatic error management
• Fast Memory System: Save and retrieve frequently used API queries for more efficient workflows
• Raw API Access: Send custom API requests with complete control over endpoints, methods, and parameters

Key Features

• Database-Backed API Discovery: Uses a SQLite database built from the ConnectWise API definition JSON for fast, efficient endpoint lookups
• Natural Language Search: Find relevant API endpoints using conversational descriptions of what you need
• Categorized API Navigation: Browse API endpoints organized by functional categories
• Detailed Documentation Access: View comprehensive information about API endpoints including parameters, schemas, and response formats
• Adaptive Learning: The system learns which API calls are most valuable to you through usage tracking

Installation & Setup

Prerequisites

• Python 3.10 or higher
• Access to ConnectWise Manage API credentials
• ConnectWise API definition file (manage.json) - included in the repository

Installation Steps

Option 1: Using GitHub NPM Package (Recommended)

You can install the package directly from GitHub:

npm install -g jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP

This method automatically handles all dependencies and provides a simpler configuration for Claude Desktop.

Option 2: Manual Installation

Windows

1. Clone or download the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP.git
   cd CWM-API-Gateway-MCP
   

2. Install the package:

   pip install -e .
   

macOS

For the NPM installation method, simply run:

npm install -g jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP

For manual installation:

1. Install Python 3.10+ if not already installed:

   # Using Homebrew
   brew install [email protected]
   
   # Or using pyenv
   brew install pyenv
   pyenv install 3.10.0
   pyenv global 3.10.0
   

2. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP.git
   cd CWM-API-Gateway-MCP
   

3. Set up a virtual environment (recommended):

   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate
   

4. Install the package:

   pip install -e .
   

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

For the NPM installation method, simply run:

sudo npm install -g jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP

For manual installation:

1. Install Python 3.10+ if not already installed:

   # For Ubuntu 22.04+
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3.10 python3.10-venv python3.10-dev python3-pip
   
   # For older versions of Ubuntu/Debian
   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3.10 python3.10-venv python3.10-dev python3-pip
   

2. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP.git
   cd CWM-API-Gateway-MCP
   

3. Set up a virtual environment (recommended):

   python3.10 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate
   

4. Install the package:

   pip install -e .
   

Post-Installation Steps

After installing on any platform (Windows, macOS, or Linux), complete the following steps:

1. (Optional) Build the API Database

This repository already includes a pre-built database, so this step is optional. Only run this if you need to use a newer ConnectWise API definition file:

# On Windows
python build_database.py path/to/manage.json

# On macOS/Linux
python3 build_database.py path/to/manage.json

This step only needs to be done once, or whenever the ConnectWise API definition changes.

2. Configure API Credentials

Set the following environment variables with your ConnectWise credentials:

CONNECTWISE_API_URL=https://na.myconnectwise.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0
CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID=your_company_id
CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY=your_public_key
CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY=your_private_key
CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX=yourprefix+  # Prefix required by ConnectWise for API authentication

These credentials are used in the authentication process as follows:

• CONNECTWISE_API_URL: The base URL for all API requests to your ConnectWise instance

  url = f"{API_URL}{endpoint}"  # e.g., https://na.myconnectwise.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0/service/tickets
  

• CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID: Included in the 'clientId' header of each request to identify your company

  headers = {'clientId': COMPANY_ID, ...}
  

• CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY and CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY: Used together with AUTH_PREFIX to create the basic authentication credentials

  username = f"{AUTH_PREFIX}{PUBLIC_KEY}"  # e.g., "yourprefix+your_public_key"
  password = PRIVATE_KEY
  credentials = f"{username}:{password}"  # Combined into "yourprefix+your_public_key:your_private_key"
  

• CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX: Required prefix added before your public key in the authentication username. ConnectWise API requires this prefix to identify the type of integration (e.g., "api+", "integration+", etc.)

The final HTTP headers sent with every request will look like:

'Authorization': 'Basic [base64 encoded credentials]'
'clientId': 'your_company_id'
'Content-Type': 'application/json'

Configuration for Claude Desktop

There are two methods to integrate with Claude Desktop:

Method 1: Using NPM Package (Recommended)

Install the package using NPM:

npm install -g jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP

Then configure Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "CWM-API-Gateway-MCP": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@jasondsmith72/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP"
      ],
      "env": {
        "CONNECTWISE_API_URL": "https://na.myconnectwise.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0",
        "CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID": "your_company_id",
        "CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY": "your_public_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY": "your_private_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX": "yourprefix+"
      }
    }
  }
}

Method 2: Using Node.js Script (Alternate Method)

If you've cloned the repository and installed the dependencies, you can use the included Node.js script:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "CWM-API-Gateway-MCP": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP/bin/server.js"],
      "env": {
        "CONNECTWISE_API_URL": "https://na.myconnectwise.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0",
        "CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID": "your_company_id",
        "CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY": "your_public_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY": "your_private_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX": "yourprefix+"
      }
    }
  }
}

Method 3: Using Direct Python Script Path

If you prefer to use the Python script directly:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "CWM-API-Gateway-MCP": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP/api_gateway_server.py"],
      "env": {
        "CONNECTWISE_API_URL": "https://na.myconnectwise.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0",
        "CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID": "your_company_id",
        "CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY": "your_public_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY": "your_private_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX": "yourprefix+"
      }
    }
  }
}

For macOS and Linux, use the appropriate path format:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "CWM-API-Gateway-MCP": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": ["/path/to/CWM-API-Gateway-MCP/api_gateway_server.py"],
      "env": {
        "CONNECTWISE_API_URL": "https://na.myconnectwise.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0",
        "CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID": "your_company_id",
        "CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY": "your_public_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY": "your_private_key",
        "CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX": "yourprefix+"
      }
    }
  }
}

The server can be run directly from the command line for testing:

# If installed via NPM
cwm-api-gateway-mcp

# If using the Node.js script (after cloning the repository)
node bin/server.js

# Or using the Python script directly
# On Windows
python api_gateway_server.py

# On macOS/Linux
python3 api_gateway_server.py

Available Tools

The API Gateway MCP server provides several tools for working with the ConnectWise API:

API Discovery Tools

Tool	Description
search_api_endpoints	Search for API endpoints by query string
natural_language_api_search	Find endpoints using natural language descriptions
list_api_categories	List all available API categories
get_category_endpoints	List all endpoints in a specific category
get_api_endpoint_details	Get detailed information about a specific endpoint

API Execution Tools

Tool	Description
execute_api_call	Execute an API call with path, method, parameters, and data
send_raw_api_request	Send a raw API request in the format "METHOD /path [JSON body]"

Fast Memory Tools

Tool	Description
save_to_fast_memory	Manually save an API query to Fast Memory
list_fast_memory	List all queries saved in Fast Memory
delete_from_fast_memory	Delete a specific query from Fast Memory
clear_fast_memory	Clear all queries from Fast Memory

Usage Examples

Search for Ticket-Related Endpoints

search_api_endpoints("tickets")

Search Using Natural Language

natural_language_api_search("find all open service tickets that are high priority")

Execute a GET Request

execute_api_call(
    "/service/tickets", 
    "GET", 
    {"conditions": "status/name='Open' and priority/name='High'"}
)

Create a New Service Ticket

execute_api_call(
    "/service/tickets", 
    "POST", 
    None,  # No query parameters 
    {
        "summary": "Server is down",
        "board": {"id": 1},
        "company": {"id": 2},
        "status": {"id": 1},
        "priority": {"id": 3}
    }
)

Send a Raw API Request

send_raw_api_request("GET /service/tickets?conditions=status/name='Open'")

View Fast Memory Contents

list_fast_memory()

Save a Useful Query to Fast Memory

save_to_fast_memory(
    "/service/tickets", 
    "GET", 
    "Get all high priority open tickets", 
    {"conditions": "status/name='Open' and priority/name='High'"}
)

Understanding Fast Memory

The Fast Memory feature allows you to save and retrieve frequently used API queries, optimizing your workflow in several ways:

Benefits

• Time Savings: Quickly execute complex API calls without remembering exact endpoints or parameters
• Error Reduction: Reuse successful API calls to minimize potential errors
• Adaptive Learning: The system learns which API calls are most valuable to you
• Parameter Persistence: Parameters and request bodies are stored for future use

How It Works

1. Automatic Learning: When you execute a successful API call, you're prompted to save it to Fast Memory
2. Intelligent Retrieval: The next time you use the same API endpoint, the system checks Fast Memory first
3. Parameter Reuse: If you don't provide parameters for a call, the system automatically uses those saved in Fast Memory
4. Usage Tracking: The system tracks how often each query is used and prioritizes frequently used queries

Fast Memory Functionality

• Automatic Parameter Suggestion: The system will suggest parameters from Fast Memory if none are provided
• Usage Counter: Each time a query from Fast Memory is used, its usage count increases
• Search Capability: Search through your saved queries by description or endpoint path
• Prioritization: Queries are displayed in order of usage frequency, with most frequently used queries at the top

Managing Your Fast Memory

• View Saved Queries: list_fast_memory()
• Search Specific Queries: list_fast_memory("search term")
• Delete a Query: delete_from_fast_memory(query_id)
• Clear All Queries: clear_fast_memory()

Fast Memory Technical Details

The Fast Memory system is powered by a SQLite database (fast_memory_api.db) that stores:

• Query paths and methods
• Parameters and request bodies as JSON
• Usage metrics and timestamps
• User-friendly descriptions

The database structure includes:

• id: Unique identifier for each saved query
• description: User-provided description of what the query does
• path: API endpoint path
• method: HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, etc.)
• params: Query parameters in JSON format
• data: Request body in JSON format
• timestamp: When the query was last used
• usage_count: How many times the query has been used

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Database Not Found Error

Error: Database file not found at [path]
Please run build_database.py script first to generate the database

Solution: Run the build_database.py script with the path to your ConnectWise API definition file:

python build_database.py path/to/manage.json

API Authentication Issues

HTTP error 401: Unauthorized

Solution: Check your environment variables to ensure all ConnectWise credentials are correct:

• Verify your CONNECTWISE_COMPANY_ID, CONNECTWISE_PUBLIC_KEY, and CONNECTWISE_PRIVATE_KEY
• Ensure the API key has the necessary permissions in ConnectWise
• Check that CONNECTWISE_AUTH_PREFIX is set correctly for your environment

Timeouts on API Calls

Request timed out. ConnectWise API may be slow to respond.

Solution:

• Check your internet connection
• The ConnectWise API may be experiencing high load
• For large data requests, consider adding more specific filters to your query

Logs and Diagnostics

Log Locations

• Main log file: api_gateway/api_gateway.log
• SQLite databases:
  • API Database: api_gateway/connectwise_api.db
  • Fast Memory Database: api_gateway/fast_memory_api.db

Testing the Database

Verify that the database is correctly built and accessible:

python test_database.py

This will display statistics about the database and confirm it can be queried properly.

Advanced Usage

Optimizing API Queries

For better performance with the ConnectWise API:

1. Use Specific Conditions: Narrow your queries with precise conditions

   execute_api_call("/service/tickets", "GET", {
       "conditions": "status/name='Open' AND dateEntered > [2023-01-01T00:00:00Z]"
   })
   

2. Limit Field Selection: Request only the fields you need

   execute_api_call("/service/tickets", "GET", {
       "conditions": "status/name='Open'",
       "fields": "id,summary,status,priority"
   })
   

3. Paginate Large Results: Use page and pageSize parameters

   execute_api_call("/service/tickets", "GET", {
       "conditions": "status/name='Open'",
       "page": 1,
       "pageSize": 50
   })
   

License

This software is proprietary and confidential. Unauthorized copying, distribution, or use is prohibited.

Acknowledgments

• Built using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) framework
• Powered by ConnectWise Manage API