Backlog
A read-only MCP server that enables users to retrieve and interact with Backlog projects, issues, pull requests, and notifications. It provides a secure way to query Backlog data through natural language using tools like Claude Desktop.
What is Backlog?
Backlog is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to read-only mcp server that enables users to retrieve and interact with backlog projects, issues, pull requests, and notifications. it provides a secure way to query backlog data through natural languag...
A read-only MCP server that enables users to retrieve and interact with Backlog projects, issues, pull requests, and notifications. It provides a secure way to query Backlog data through natural language using tools like Claude Desktop.
This server falls under the Business Applications category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A read-only MCP server that enables users to retrieve and in
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y backlog-mcp-serverManual Installation
npx -y backlog-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Backlog
The Backlog MCP server provides read and write access to Nulab's Backlog project management platform through any MCP-compatible AI client, exposing tools for querying and managing projects, issues, wiki pages, pull requests, notifications, and documents. Teams using Backlog for issue tracking and project coordination can ask Claude natural language questions like 'show me all open high-priority bugs in PROJECT-A' and get structured answers without navigating the Backlog web UI. The server also supports write operations — creating issues, adding comments, updating statuses — making it a full project management assistant.
Prerequisites
- A Backlog account with a workspace domain (e.g., yourcompany.backlog.com or yourcompany.backlog.jp)
- A Backlog API key (generated in Personal Settings > API in Backlog)
- Node.js 18 or newer with npx available, OR Docker for the container-based setup
- Claude Desktop or another MCP-capable client
Generate a Backlog API key
Log in to Backlog, go to Personal Settings (top-right avatar menu) > API, and generate a new API key. Copy it — you will need it in the configuration.
Note your Backlog domain
Your domain is the hostname of your Backlog workspace, such as 'yourcompany.backlog.com' or 'yourcompany.backlog.jp'. Do not include 'https://' — just the hostname.
Add the server to your MCP client configuration
Edit claude_desktop_config.json with your Backlog domain and API key as environment variables.
{
"mcpServers": {
"backlog": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "backlog-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"BACKLOG_DOMAIN": "yourcompany.backlog.com",
"BACKLOG_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}Or run with Docker
If you prefer Docker, run the official image with your credentials passed as environment variables.
docker run --pull always -i --rm \
-e BACKLOG_DOMAIN=yourcompany.backlog.com \
-e BACKLOG_API_KEY=your_api_key_here \
ghcr.io/nulab/backlog-mcp-serverRestart your MCP client and verify
Restart Claude Desktop, then ask it to list your Backlog projects to confirm the connection is working.
Backlog Examples
Client configuration
Complete claude_desktop_config.json entry for the Backlog MCP server using npx with domain and API key environment variables.
{
"mcpServers": {
"backlog": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "backlog-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"BACKLOG_DOMAIN": "yourcompany.backlog.com",
"BACKLOG_API_KEY": "your_backlog_api_key",
"MAX_TOKENS": "50000",
"OPTIMIZE_RESPONSE": "true"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
These prompts use the Backlog MCP server's project, issue, pull request, and notification tools.
- "List all my Backlog projects"
- "Show me all open high-priority issues in project PROJECT-KEY"
- "Create a new bug issue in PROJECT-KEY titled 'Login page crashes on mobile'"
- "Show me all open pull requests in repository 'frontend'"
- "Add a comment to issue PROJECT-123 saying the fix has been deployed"
- "Show me my unread Backlog notifications"Troubleshooting Backlog
Authentication error or 401 Unauthorized responses
Verify the BACKLOG_API_KEY is correct and that it belongs to a user with access to the projects you are querying. API keys are generated per user in Backlog Personal Settings > API.
BACKLOG_DOMAIN format causing connection errors
Set BACKLOG_DOMAIN to just the hostname without protocol or trailing slash, e.g., 'yourcompany.backlog.com' not 'https://yourcompany.backlog.com/'. Japanese Backlog workspaces use '.backlog.jp' instead of '.backlog.com'.
Responses are very large and slow or truncated
Set OPTIMIZE_RESPONSE=true to enable field selection (returns only essential fields) and lower MAX_TOKENS to a smaller value like 20000. You can also use ENABLE_TOOLSETS to activate only the toolsets you need rather than all tools.
Frequently Asked Questions about Backlog
What is Backlog?
Backlog is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that read-only mcp server that enables users to retrieve and interact with backlog projects, issues, pull requests, and notifications. it provides a secure way to query backlog data through natural language using tools like claude desktop. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Backlog?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y backlog-mcp-server. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with Backlog?
Backlog works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Backlog free to use?
Yes, Backlog is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Backlog Alternatives — Similar Business Applications Servers
Looking for alternatives to Backlog? Here are other popular business applications servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
n8n
★ 189.1kA comprehensive MCP server that provides full control over n8n automation workflows through natural language. It offers 43 tools for managing workflows, executions, credentials, and data tables, with safety features like write-mode protection and dou
LobeHub
★ 77.5k🤯 LobeHub is your Chief Agent Operator, organizing your agents into 7×24 operations by hiring, scheduling, and reporting on your entire AI team.
Jeecgboot
★ 46.4kAI 低代码平台，「低代码 + 零代码」双模式驱动：低代码一键生成前后端代码，零代码 5 分钟搭建系统，AI Skills 一句话画流程、设计表单、生成整套系统。内置 AI聊天、知识库、流程编排、MCP插件等，兼容主流大模型。引领「AI 生成 → 在线配置 → 代码生成 → 手工合并->AI修改」开发模式，消除 Java 项目 80% 的重复工作，提效而不失灵活。
CowAgent
★ 44.7kCowAgent (chatgpt-on-wechat) 是基于大模型的超级AI助理，能主动思考和任务规划、访问操作系统和外部资源、创造和执行Skills、通过长期记忆和知识库不断成长，比OpenClaw更轻量和便捷。同时支持微信、飞书、钉钉、企微、QQ、公众号、网页等接入，可选择DeepSeek/OpenAI/Claude/Gemini/ MiniMax/Qwen/GLM/LinkAI，能处理文本、语音、图片和文件，可快速搭建个人AI助理和企业数字员工。
Minds Platform
★ 39.2kPlatform dedicated to building an open foundation for applied Artificial Intelligence, designed for people seeking production-ready AI systems they can truly control, extend and deploy anywhere.
Astrbot
★ 32.8kAI Agent Assistant & development framework that integrates lots of IM platforms, LLMs, plugins and AI feature, and can be your openclaw alternative. ✨
Browse More Business Applications MCP Servers
Explore all business applications servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up Backlog in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
Ready to use Backlog?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.