How to Use the Alation MCP in Windsurf

Windsurf Cascade connects directly to Alation to map your data footprint and pull metadata without leaving your IDE.

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Connect Alation MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect Alation to Windsurf and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup Alation with Windsurf

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Perplexity

Trace data lineage with Windsurf

Cascade uses `get_lineage` to map exactly how data flows from source to destination. You stop guessing where a specific field originated. This keeps your context window clean. Cascade pulls the path and displays it right in your chat panel for quick verification.

Browse Alation objects in Windsurf

Use `search_catalog` to find tables, schemas, or specific data assets. You get the actual object details via `get_object_metadata` without opening a browser. Your agent parses the structure immediately. It understands what's inside your catalog before writing a single line of code.

Run Alation queries via Windsurf

Cascade executes `get_query_results` to bring live data into your workspace. You see the outcome of saved SQL queries instantly. It handles the heavy lifting of data retrieval. You focus on building features while the server feeds the results directly into your editor.

Setup guide

Set up Alation MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the Alation MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my Alation payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the Alation tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "alation-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by Alation. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about Alation MCP in Windsurf

Open your MCP panel and ensure the server is active. Just ask Cascade to search for a table or schema, and it triggers the catalog search automatically.

Yes. Point Cascade at a table name and it calls the lineage tool. You get the full dependency graph displayed in your chat.

It does. Cascade lists your available saved queries and runs them on demand. You see the result set printed directly in your IDE.

Go to Settings, then Cascade, then MCP Servers. Paste your endpoint details there and hit refresh to start querying your data.

Your metadata stays encrypted in transit. The server only touches your catalog schema and query results, never your raw database credentials.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.