Using an MCP server in Code4i with Copilot, can the MCP server be used to run commands.

[a4ginatl]

I am reviewing the use of the MCP server that is now available on Code4i.

My question about using the MCP server is: The MCP server provides read only access to the IBM i. Does that mean we cannot execute commands on the IBM i for example to copy source back to the source file on the IBM i and then compile the new source code?

Darryl.

[HALCONDEORO]

Hi Darryl,

The read-only limitation is a property of the tools this particular server exposes, not of MCP itself. An MCP server can offer write or command tools, but a client (Copilot agent mode included) can only ever call the tools the server actually publishes - so with a read-only server there is no way to copy source back or compile through MCP. That is deliberate: it keeps the agent from changing the system.

For the copy-back-and-compile part of the workflow you don't need MCP at all: Code for IBM i already does it through the extension itself. Edit the member and run the compile Action (Run Action, Ctrl+E by default, e.g. CRTBNDRPG), or use the deploy feature to push local files and compile from there. The MCP server works best as the read path for an agent (letting Copilot look things up on the IBM i), while writes and compiles stay in the extension's own commands, where they are explicit and auditable.

If the server ever ships write tools they will appear as separate named tools in its tool list - you would see them straight away.

[a4ginatl]

Thank you Darryl Freinkel A4G Telephone: 770.321.8562 From: Marco Tevar ***@***.***> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 6:11 PM To: codefori/vscode-ibmi ***@***.***> Cc: a4ginatl ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [codefori/vscode-ibmi] Using an MCP server in Code4i with Copilot, can the MCP server be used to run commands. (Discussion #3504) Hi Darryl, The read-only limitation is a property of the tools this particular server exposes, not of MCP itself. An MCP server can offer write or command tools, but a client (Copilot agent mode included) can only ever call the tools the server actually publishes - so with a read-only server there is no way to copy source back or compile through MCP. That is deliberate: it keeps the agent from changing the system. For the copy-back-and-compile part of the workflow you don't need MCP at all: Code for IBM i already does it through the extension itself. Edit the member and run the compile Action (Run Action, Ctrl+E by default, e.g. CRTBNDRPG), or use the deploy feature to push local files and compile from there. The MCP server works best as the read path for an agent (letting Copilot look things up on the IBM i), while writes and compiles stay in the extension's own commands, where they are explicit and auditable. If the server ever ships write tools they will appear as separate named tools in its tool list - you would see them straight away. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#3504?email_source=notifications&email_token=A4EMVL6CZIGJ3RKUZ733CND5VEX7LA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCOJRGEYDAMRXUZZGKYLTN5XKMYLVORUG64VFMV3GK3TUVRTG633UMVZF6Y3MNFRWW#discussioncomment-19110027> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A4EMVL7XKVE4Y5JTKL7UW3D5VEX7LAVCNFSNUABIKJSXA33TNF2G64TZHMZTIMBXGY2DAOJQHNCGS43DOVZXG2LPNY5TCMJQHE2TMNZUUF3AE> . Triage notifications, keep track of coding agent tasks and review pull requests on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://github.com/notifications/mobile/ios/A4EMVLZIOQ5DMKQJU6TSWF35VEX7LA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCOJRGEYDAMRXUZZGKYLTN5XKMYLVORUG64VFMV3GK3TUVJTG633UMVZF62LPOM> and Android <https://github.com/notifications/mobile/android/A4EMVL4HUNMVZ6MULSLVBGD5VEX7LA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCOJRGEYDAMRXUZZGKYLTN5XKMYLVORUG64VFMV3GK3TUVZTG633UMVZF6YLOMRZG62LE> . Download it today! You are receiving this because you authored the thread. <https://github.com/notifications/beacon/A4EMVL2WV4N7CCZ5W45YSEL5VEX7LBFCNFSM6AAAAADC2LEUDGWGG33NNVSW45C7OR4XAZNRIRUXGY3VONZWS33OINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTQBEOMIXJTSMVQXG33OUZQXK5DIN5ZA.gif> Message ID: ***@***.*** ***@***.***> >