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Bullhorn CRM MCP Server

Provides a read-only MCP interface to Bullhorn CRM data via the CData JDBC Driver for live querying by AI clients.

Installation

Add the following to your MCP client configuration file.

Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cdatasoftware-bullhorn-crm-mcp-server-by-cdata": {
      "command": "java",
      "args": [
        "-jar",
        "CDataMCP-jar-with-dependencies.jar",
        "/PATH/TO/bullhorn-crm.prp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

You set up a local, read-only MCP server that exposes Bullhorn CRM data through a simple MCP interface. This lets you ask natural-language questions and get live Bullhorn CRM information without writing SQL. The server wraps the CData JDBC Driver for Bullhorn CRM, making data accessible as relational models for querying by MCP clients.

How to use

Once you have the MCP server running, you can use an MCP client to read data from Bullhorn CRM and run predefined tools to explore tables, columns, and queries. Typical usage includes asking questions like how opportunities relate to accounts, or counting open tickets, and letting the MCP client translate those requests into data fetches from Bullhorn CRM.

Because this server is designed for read-only access, you should focus on queries that retrieve information or validate data, rather than updates or deletes. Start by listing available tables, then inspect columns for the tables you care about, and finally execute SELECT queries to retrieve the data you need.

How to install

Prerequisites: Java installed on your machine. You will also need Maven for building the server and the CData JDBC Driver for Bullhorn CRM installed and licensed.

# 1) Clone the project
git clone https://github.com/cdatasoftware/bullhorn-crm-mcp-server-by-cdata.git
cd bullhorn-crm-mcp-server-by-cdata

# 2) Build the MCP server
mvn clean install

# This creates the JAR file: CDataMCP-jar-with-dependencies.jar

2) Download and install the CData JDBC Driver for Bullhorn CRM from the vendor site and license it following the provided steps in your environment. Ensure the driver JAR is available on your system.

3) Configure your JDBC connection by running the driver’s connection utility and testing the connection. Copy the resulting connection string for use in your .prp file.

4) Create a .prp file for your JDBC connection, for example bullhorn-crm.prp, with your driver details and JDBC URL. Use the following properties as a guide.

Prefix=bullhorncrm
ServerName=CDataBullhornCRM
ServerVersion=1.0
DriverPath=PATH\\TO\\cdata.jdbc.bullhorncrm.jar
DriverClass=cdata.jdbc.bullhorncrm.BullhornCRMDriver
JdbcUrl=jdbc:bullhorncrm:InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH;
Tables=

5) Start the MCP server using the prepared configuration. The server runs as a local process and uses stdio for communication.

Additional configuration and running details

To run the MCP server on its own, execute the Java command with the JAR and your PRP file. This uses stdio so you can connect from a local client on the same machine.

java -jar /PATH/TO/CDataMCP-jar-with-dependencies.jar /PATH/TO/bullhorn-crm.prp

If you use Claude Desktop or another MCP client that supports local stdio, place the server configuration in the client’s MCP configuration and ensure you fully restart the client after adding the MCP server so it appears in the UI.

Note: The server is read-only by design in this setup. For full read/write access, explore other MCP server configurations that support those capabilities.

Notes and troubleshooting

If you cannot see the MCP server in your client, quit the client completely and relaunch it, then verify that the path to the Java executable and the JAR/PRP file are correct.

If data cannot be retrieved, double-check the JDBC connection string and ensure the Bullhorn CRM data source is accessible and licensed properly.

For issues with the MCP server or feedback, engage the CData Community or reach out to their support channels as appropriate.

Security and licensing considerations

This MCP server relies on the licensed CData JDBC Driver for Bullhorn CRM. Ensure you maintain proper license usage for your driver installation and follow your organization’s security policies when storing connection strings and PRP files.

Available tools

bullhornmcp_get_tables

Retrieves a list of available tables from the Bullhorn CRM data source. The output is in CSV format with CSV headers on the first line.

bullhornmcp_get_columns

Retrieves a list of columns for a specified table. The output is in CSV format with CSV headers on the first line.

bullhornmcp_run_query

Executes a SQL SELECT query against the Bullhorn CRM data source and returns the results.