Overview
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Steps
Overview
In this tutorial, you will enable the ADT MCP Server, that is built into ABAP Development Tools for VS Code, and verify that the ADT MCP tools are available.
Basics
The ADT MCP Server is a local HTTP server that is integrated in and runs inside the ABAP Development Tools for Visual Studio Code extension. It implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to call tools in a structured, authenticated way.
When enabled, the ADT MCP server exposes a set of ABAP development tools to any MCP-compatible AI assistant. In this workshop, the exercises use GitHub Copilot (see Quickstart for GitHub Copilot) as the client. Any coding agent that supports Visual Studio Code’s virtual workspace filesystem is compatible — GitHub Copilot is confirmed; others are also supported.
The ADT MCP Server exposes ABAP development capabilities as Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools allowing you to create packages, to create transport requests, to generate complete RAP applications, activate objects, and more through natural language prompts.
Key tools available through the ADT MCP Server:
For example, the following ADT MCP tools are available:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| abap_activate_objects | Activates ABAP objects in the ABAP system |
| abap_atc_apply_ai | Start applying AI fixes for every eligible finding in an ATC worklist result |
| abap_atc_execute_deterministic_quickfixes | Executes the deterministic quick fixes |
| abap_atc_run | Gets the result of an ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) run by its corresponding worklist |
| abap_createion-crate_object | Executes the creation of ABAP development objects |
| abap_creation-get_all_createable_objects | Gets a list of all ABAP createable objects |
| abap_creation-get_object_type_details | Gets details required for creating an ABAP object such as name, description |
| abap_generators-generate_objects | Validates and generates ABAP RAP objects using the RAP generator |
| abap_generators-list_generators | Lists the available ABAP RAP generators |
| abap_list_destinations | Gets a list of available destinations in an ABAP system |
| abap_run_unit_tests | Runs ABAP unit tests for a given set of objects |
| abap_transport-create | Creates a transport request |
| abap_transport-get | Validates and displays relevant transport requests for a given object |
⚠ Warning regarding AI outputs ⚠
The ADT MCP Server is an experimental feature that may change at any time without notice. It is not intended for productive use. Please back up your data before using it.
Further reading:
- ADT MCP Tools for the complete list of tools available.
- Security Considerations and Recommendations
- Agentic AI for ABAP Development and **Model Context Protocol (MCP)**
Procedure
Enable the built-in ADT MCP Server in the Visual Studio Code extension settings.
Open Visual Studio Code Settings as follows:
a. Open the Command Palette with ‘Ctrl+Shift+P’ (macOS: ‘Cmd+Shift+P’)
b. Type Preferences: Open Settings (UI) and select the finding.In the search bar, type:
Codeadt mcpThe findings in the Extensions > ABAP Development node are displayed.
Locate the Adt: Enable MCP Server setting (or similar) and enable it by checking the checkbox.
ADT MCP Server setting enabled ℹ️ Hint: You can also switch to JSON mode (click the ‘{}’ icon top-right in settings) and add:
json 'adt.mcpServer.enabled': trueOptionally, you can configure the MCP server port (default: ‘2236’).
Note that you only change this if port 2236 is occupied on your machine. Proceed as follows:
a. Search for ADT MCP port in the settings.
b. Set it to the available port between ‘0’ and ‘65535’.Reload Visual Studio Code if prompted, or close and reopen the application.
ADT MCP Server setting enabled
⚠️ Important: Make sure your system destination is still added to the workspace. The MCP server only starts once a destination is active in the workspace.
Check and confirm that the ADT MCP Server started successfully.
After enabling the setting and having a destination in the workspace, the server should start automatically.
Method 1: Check for the startup notification
Look at the bottom-right corner for a notification in the status bar:
CodeADT MCP Server running on port 2236.
ADT MCP Server running ℹ️ If you don’t see the notification, proceed to Method 2.
Method 2: Check via MCP Server list
Open the Command Palette (‘Ctrl+Shift+P’).
Type …
Code>MCP:List ServersSelect ‘MCP: List Servers’ from the list.
You should then see an entry for ADT MCP Server in the quick pick list.
Select it and click Start Server if it is not already running.
MCP Server listed and running
Method 3: Check the display in the Output view
Open the Output view beneath the editor.
MCP Server listed in the Output view Select MCP: ADT MCP Servers from the drop-down list. Then, the status will be displayed in the Output view.
MCP Server listed and running in the Output view
Troubleshooting
If the ADT MCP Server does not appear or fails to start:
Disable and re-enable the Adt: Enable MCP Server setting.
Remove the destination folder from the workspace and add it back from the Command Palette:
CodeABAP: Add Destination as Folder to the Workspace...Restart Visual Studio Code.
Open the Chat view of your coding agent in the agent mode. Confirm that the ADT MCP tools are loaded and available.
If the Chat view is not displayed by default, open the GitHub Copilot Chat view in Visual Studio Code.
GitHub Copilot Chat view ℹ️ Note: You have the following possiblities to do this:
- Click the Copilot icon in the Activity Bar (left),
- choose View > Chat from the menu, or
- press ‘Ctrl+Shift+I’ (macOS: ‘Cmd+Shift+I’)
Switch the chat mode to Agent in the chat dropdown.
ℹ️ Note: ADT MCP tools are only available in Agent mode — not in the standard Ask or Plan mode.
Choosing the agent mode in the Chat view Click the Configure Tools (tools wrench icon) button in the Copilot chat input bar.
A quick pick list appears showing available tool providers.
Icon to open the Configure Tools dialog Here, you see the ADT MCP Server node with a list of the available tools, e.g., ‘abap_generators-list_generators’, ‘abap_creation-create_object’, and so on.
✅ If you see the ADT MCP Server and its tools listed, your setup is complete!
Check and ensure the ADT MCP Server tools are checked/enabled in the list.
Run a Sanity test: Type the following prompt in the Chat view and press Enter:
CodeList all available ABAP RAP generators using the MCP tool.The coding agent will request to call the ‘abap_generators-list_generators’ tool.
ℹ️ Note: Allow the tool call when prompted.
You should see a list of available generators returned, including an entry for OData UI Service from Scratch.
✅ If you see generator names returned, the ADT MCP Server is working correctly with your coding agent!
Available ABAP RAP Generators
You have successfully:
Enabeled and checked the availability of the ADT MCP servers and tools
ℹ️ Hint: To test and learn working with Agentic AI in ADT for VS Code, you can follow the RAP130 - Build SAP Fiori Apps with ABAP Cloud and SAP Joule for Developers in Visual Studio Code tutorial.
Resources
Discussion
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