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B&R Automation Studio MCP Server

Provides an MCP server to build Automation Studio projects, run ARsim, and read/write OPC UA variables from Claude Code.

Installation

Add the following to your MCP client configuration file.

Configuration

View docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "andrewmusser-br-automation-mcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": [
        "D:\\path\\to\\br-automation-mcp\\server.py"
      ]
    }
  }
}

You deploy this MCP server to let Claude Code interact with B&R Automation Studio projects. Build projects, run simulators, and read or write OPC UA variables using natural language, all from a single, streamlined interface.

How to use

You connect Claude Code to the MCP server to perform three core actions: compile Automation Studio projects for simulation, launch ARsim, and access PLC variables via OPC UA. Use natural language prompts to trigger builds, start or stop the simulator, and read or write variables in real time. The server handles the underlying automation studio commands and ARsim interactions so you can focus on the task you want to accomplish.

How to install

Prerequisites include Windows 10/11 with Automation Studio 4.x installed, Python 3.10+ for Windows, and Claude Code.

Step by step commands to get started:

# 1. Install Claude Code
winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

# 2. Install Python dependencies for the MCP server
# Run this in the directory where server.py and requirements.txt reside
pip install -r requirements.txt

Additional configuration and startup

Configure the MCP server to run on your machine. The recommended setup uses a local Python MCP server that Claude Code can call directly. Here is the executable configuration you will use from Claude Code to run the local MCP server.

{
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "br-automation-mcp",
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["D:\\path\\to\\br-automation-mcp\\server.py"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  ]
}

Notes on setup specifics

Key paths to customize in your environment include the Automation Studio tool paths and OPC UA connection details that the server uses to communicate with ARsim. You will typically adjust the following in your server configuration files or environment before starting Claude Code.

Restart Claude Code

After you set up the MCP server configuration, restart Claude Code to load the new MCP server configuration and establish the connection to the local Python MCP server.

Available tools

build_automation_studio_project

Compiles an Automation Studio project for simulation by invoking the build routine and preparing a RUCPackage for the simulator.

run_automation_studio_simulator

Creates the ARsim structure and launches the simulator, establishing a run-time session for testing the project.

opcua_read_write

Reads or writes OPC UA variables in the running simulator, enabling real-time PLC variable access from natural language prompts.