Iceberg Original MCP Server

This is a A Model Context Protocol server that provides read-only access to Iceberg tables via Apache Impala. This server enables LLMs to inspect

Local serverstdio

What is the Iceberg Original MCP server?

Iceberg original mcp server connects Iceberg Original to AI assistants that speak the Model Context Protocol. This is a A Model Context Protocol server that provides read-only access to Iceberg tables via Apache Impala. This server enables LLMs to inspect database schemas and execute read-only queries.

What Iceberg Original does

This is a A Model Context Protocol server that provides read-only access to Iceberg tables via Apache Impala. This server enables LLMs to inspect database schemas and execute read-only queries.

Tools it exposes

Once connected, the assistant can call this tool directly:

  • Transport — The MCP server's transport protocol is configurable via the MCP_TRANSPORT environment variable. Supported values: - stdio (default) — communicate over

Installing the iceberg original mcp server

Setup follows the standard MCP pattern: clone or install the server, then register it in your client's configuration file and restart the client. The configuration snippets on this page cover Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor.

Configuration

The server reads 5 environment variables: IMPALA_HOST, IMPALA_PORT, IMPALA_USER, IMPALA_PASSWORD, IMPALA_DATABASE. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than committing them.

Where it fits

Database servers turn schema archaeology and ad-hoc reporting into conversation, which is why they tend to be the second or third server people install. Iceberg Original sits in that group, and the shape of its toolset — Transport — tells you what it is really for. Worth comparing against the other databases servers in this directory before you commit to one, since several overlap in scope but differ sharply in setup cost and permissions.

Practical notes

  • This server runs locally, so it operates with whatever access your machine and its credentials already have. Scope that deliberately rather than by default.
  • Maintained by peterableda.
  • MCP clients ask for confirmation before each tool call by default. Keep that on while you learn what the iceberg original mcp server actually does with your data.
  • Every entry in this directory is reviewed by hand before it goes live, and details are checked against the project's own documentation.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
TransportThe MCP server's transport protocol is configurable via the MCP_TRANSPORT environment variable. Supported values: - stdio **(default)** — communicate over standard input/output. Useful for local tools, command-line scrip

How to install the Iceberg Original MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "iceberg-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "--from",
        "git+https://github.com/cloudera/iceberg-mcp-server@main",
        "run-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "IMPALA_HOST": "coordinator-default-impala.example.com",
        "IMPALA_PORT": "443",
        "IMPALA_USER": "username",
        "IMPALA_PASSWORD": "password",
        "IMPALA_DATABASE": "default"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
IMPALA_HOSTEndpoint or connection string the server talks to.Optional
IMPALA_PORTConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
IMPALA_USERConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
IMPALA_PASSWORDConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
IMPALA_DATABASEConfiguration value read at startup.Optional

Example prompts to try

  • Use Iceberg Original to Transport.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Iceberg Original to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 1 tool (Transport) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Iceberg Original directly.