External AI agent workflow
Open-FDD does not include an embedded AI chatbot. Operators may use external agents — Codex CLI, Cursor, Rig (if MCP-capable), Claude Desktop, OpenClaw, or any MCP-compatible host. Those tools connect through the optional openfdd-mcp stdio server or the documented JWT REST API.
This keeps Open-FDD vendor-neutral, local-first, safe for OT networks, and independent of any model provider.
Preferred workflow
- Start Open-FDD edge locally or on the LAN/VPN (
openfdd_rust_edge_bootstrap.sh --start). - Confirm health:
curl -fsS http://127.0.0.1:8080/api/health. - Obtain an integrator or agent JWT (never print or commit tokens).
- Run
openfdd-mcpoutside the Open-FDD web UI (stdio JSON-RPC). - Connect your external agent to MCP or REST (
GET /api/agent/tools). - Use read tools first.
- Enable writes only with
OPENFDD_MCP_ALLOW_WRITES=1andconfirm:trueon mutating tools. - Never perform BACnet writes without explicit human approval.
Codex CLI (example)
If your Codex install supports MCP server configuration, point it at the same openfdd-mcp binary or Docker entrypoint documented in mcp/README.md. Use integrator JWT in OPENFDD_MCP_TOKEN.
Cursor (example)
{
"mcpServers": {
"openfdd": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm", "--network", "host",
"--entrypoint", "openfdd-mcp",
"-e", "OPENFDD_API_BASE=http://127.0.0.1:8080",
"-e", "OPENFDD_COMMISSION_BASE=http://127.0.0.1:9091",
"-e", "OPENFDD_MCP_TOKEN",
"ghcr.io/bbartling/openfdd-edge-rust:latest"
],
"env": { "OPENFDD_MCP_TOKEN": "<JWT from login>" }
}
}
}
Generic MCP host
- Transport: stdio JSON-RPC (MCP 2024-11-05)
- Binary:
/usr/local/bin/openfdd-mcpinsideopenfdd-edge-rust, or slimghcr.io/bbartling/openfdd-mcp:<tag> - Auth:
OPENFDD_MCP_TOKENbearer JWT - Writes: gated — see mcp/INSTRUCTIONS.md
Local / offline agents (Rig, scripts)
If a tool supports MCP or shell-driven REST workflows, use the same JWT + /api/agent/tools catalog. Open-FDD does not bundle Rig or any vendor SDK.
What Open-FDD ships
| In product | External only | Not shipped |
|---|---|---|
| REST API + JWT | Codex, Cursor, Claude, OpenClaw, … | In-dashboard chat panels |
openfdd-mcp stdio server |
Model routing / LLM runtime | CURSOR_API_KEY in edge stack |
| Deterministic CSV/FDD/Haystack tools | ||
| Human review on proposals |
See also AGENTS.md and mcp/README.md.