How do I find my Alation API Access Token?

Log in to Alation, click on your user avatar, and go to **Account Settings** > **Authentication**. You can generate a Refresh Token there, which can then be used to obtain short-lived Access Tokens for the API.

Can I search for specific table types?

Yes! The `search_catalog` tool allows you to apply filters by object type (otype), such as `table`, `schema`, or `attribute`. This ensures your search results are highly relevant.

Does this support viewing data lineage?

Yes, the `get_lineage` tool retrieves technical metadata describing the relationships and data flow between different assets in your catalog.

Alation MCP Server for AutoGen 10 tools — connect in under 2 minutes

Name: Alation
Availability: InStock
Author: Vinkius

microsoft.github.io/autogen/docs/tools/mcp-tools

Built by Vinkius GDPR 10 Tools Framework

Microsoft AutoGen enables multi-agent conversations where agents negotiate, delegate, and execute tasks collaboratively. Add Alation as an MCP tool provider through Vinkius and every agent in the group can access live data and take action.

Get MCP Server for AI Agents

ASK AI ABOUT THIS MCP SERVER

Open in ChatGPT Open in Claude Open in Perplexity

Vinkius supports streamable HTTP and SSE.

python

import asyncio
from autogen_agentchat.agents import AssistantAgent
from autogen_ext.tools.mcp import McpWorkbench

async def main():
    # Your Vinkius token. get it at cloud.vinkius.com
    async with McpWorkbench(
        server_params={"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"},
        transport="streamable_http",
    ) as workbench:
        tools = await workbench.list_tools()
        agent = AssistantAgent(
            name="alation_agent",
            tools=tools,
            system_message=(
                "You help users with Alation. "
                "10 tools available."
            ),
        )
        print(f"Agent ready with {len(tools)} tools")

asyncio.run(main())

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Ed25519Audit chain

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Stream every event to Splunk, Datadog, or your own webhook in real-time

* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure

About Alation MCP Server

Connect your Alation instance to your AI agent to unlock enterprise-grade data intelligence and discovery. From searching for critical data assets across your catalog to auditing table schemas and retrieving saved SQL queries, your agent handles your data governance through natural conversation.

AutoGen enables multi-agent conversations where agents negotiate, delegate, and collaboratively use Alation tools. Connect 10 tools through Vinkius and assign role-based access. a data analyst queries while a reviewer validates, with optional human-in-the-loop approval for sensitive operations.

What you can do

Catalog Discovery — Search for schemas, tables, and data sources using keywords and advanced filters
Metadata Auditing — Retrieve detailed logical and physical metadata, including descriptions, stewards, and tags
Lineage Analysis — Trace data lineage to understand the provenance and impact of your data assets
Query Orchestration — List saved SQL queries and retrieve cached execution results from Alation Compose
Custom Field Management — List and audit custom governance fields associated with your catalog objects

The Alation MCP Server exposes 10 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to AutoGen in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.

How to Connect Alation to AutoGen via MCP

Follow these steps to integrate the Alation MCP Server with AutoGen.

Install AutoGen

Run pip install "autogen-ext[mcp]"

Replace the token

Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your Vinkius token

Integrate into workflow

Use the agent in your AutoGen multi-agent orchestration

Explore tools

The workbench discovers 10 tools from Alation automatically

Why Use AutoGen with the Alation MCP Server

AutoGen provides unique advantages when paired with Alation through the Model Context Protocol.

Multi-agent conversations: multiple AutoGen agents discuss, delegate, and collaboratively use Alation tools to solve complex tasks

Role-based architecture lets you assign Alation tool access to specific agents. a data analyst queries while a reviewer validates

Human-in-the-loop support: agents can pause for human approval before executing sensitive Alation tool calls

Code execution sandbox: AutoGen agents can write and run code that processes Alation tool responses in an isolated environment

Alation + AutoGen Use Cases

Practical scenarios where AutoGen combined with the Alation MCP Server delivers measurable value.

Collaborative analysis: one agent queries Alation while another validates results and a third generates the final report

Automated review pipelines: a researcher agent fetches data from Alation, a critic agent evaluates quality, and a writer produces the output

Interactive planning: agents negotiate task allocation using Alation data to make informed decisions about resource distribution

Code generation with live data: an AutoGen coder agent writes scripts that process Alation responses in a sandboxed execution environment

Alation MCP Tools for AutoGen (10)

These 10 tools become available when you connect Alation to AutoGen via MCP:

get_lineage

Trace data lineage

get_object_metadata

Get object details

get_query_results

Get cached query results

list_columns

List columns in table

list_custom_fields

List governance fields

list_data_sources

List catalog data sources

list_saved_queries

List saved SQL queries

list_schemas

List schemas in data source

list_tables

List tables in schema

search_catalog

Search for data assets

Example Prompts for Alation in AutoGen

Ready-to-use prompts you can give your AutoGen agent to start working with Alation immediately.

"Search my Alation catalog for tables containing 'Customer ROI'."

"List the last 5 SQL queries I saved in Alation."

"Show the lineage for table 'Orders_Main' in the 'Production' schema."

Troubleshooting Alation MCP Server with AutoGen

Common issues when connecting Alation to AutoGen through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.

McpWorkbench not found

Install: pip install "autogen-ext[mcp]"

Alation + AutoGen FAQ

Common questions about integrating Alation MCP Server with AutoGen.

How does AutoGen connect to MCP servers?

Create an MCP tool adapter and assign it to one or more agents in the group chat. AutoGen agents can then call Alation tools during their conversation turns.

Can different agents have different MCP tool access?

Yes. AutoGen's role-based architecture lets you assign specific MCP tools to specific agents, so a querying agent has different capabilities than a reviewing agent.