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TIA-Portal MCP-Server

Local MCP server to connect VS Code with Siemens TIA Portal projects for browsing and basic project operations.

Installation

Add the following to your MCP client configuration file.

Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heilingbrunner-vscode-tiaportal-mcp": {
      "command": "c:\\Users\\<user>\\.vscode\\extensions\\jheilingbrunner.vscode-tiaportal-mcp-<version>\\srv\\net48\\TiaMcpServer.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "TiaPortalLocation": "C:\\Program Files\\Siemens\\Automation\\Portal V20"
      }
    }
  }
}

You can connect Visual Studio Code to Siemens TIA Portal using the TIΑ Portal MCP Server. This local MCP server lets you browse TIA Portal projects from your editor, perform basic project operations, and interact with the portal without leaving your development environment. It relies on a locally installed TIA Portal and openness components, so you can work more efficiently on PLC projects directly from VS Code.

How to use

After you have the TIΑ Portal MCP Server configured, you can connect to a running TIA Portal instance from your MCP client inside the editor. Use the provided server configuration to start the MCP server locally, then open a chat session or tooling interface that lets you interact with the TIA Portal project. You can browse project structure, export blocks and types, and perform basic project operations like compiling software from within your editor.

How to install

Prerequisites and setup steps you need to follow exactly:

1. Install Siemens TIA Portal V20 and ensure Siemens Openness is installed.
2. Install .NET Framework 4.8.
3. Install Visual Studio Code.
4. Install and configure GitHub Copilot in VS Code (ensure Copilot is enabled for MCP use).
5. Ensure the TIA Portal location is exposed via an environment variable named TiaPortalLocation, typically set to the TIA Portal installation path (for example: C:\Program Files\Siemens\Automation\Portal V20).

Add the MCP server entry to your mcp.json to enable the TIΑ Portal MCP Server within VS Code. Use the exact command path shown below. After installation, restart VS Code.

{
  "servers": {
    "tiaportal_mcp": {
      "command": "c:\\Users\\<user>\\.vscode\\extensions\\jheilingbrunner.vscode-tiaportal-mcp-<version>\\srv\\net48\\TiaMcpServer.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Additional setup notes

If you also use Claude Desktop for a broader voice-enabled workflow, you can mirror the MCP server configuration there by adding the same server entry under Claude’s configuration path.

Additional troubleshooting and notes

- Ensure the environment variable TiaPortalLocation is set to your TIA Portal installation path. This helps the MCP server locate required openness components. - You may need to run VS Code as a user that belongs to the Windows group Siemens TIA Openness to access the openness features.