3.3 How the SQLcl MCP Server Works

The SQLcl MCP Server translates conversational AI requests into powerful, context-aware database operations, ensuring the full capabilities, performance, and integrity of the Oracle environments remain intact.

The server workflow is as follows:

1. User request: You make a request to an MCP client (for example, Claude Desktop) in natural language, such as "Retrieve all employees hired last month from the HR schema."
2. MCP client processing: The MCP client performs the following tasks:
   1. Interprets your request, identifies the intent, and determines the appropriate SQLcl MCP Server tool to invoke.
   2. Calls an AI model, which converts the interpreted request into a corresponding SQL statement.
   3. Issues a structured tool call to the SQLcl MCP Server using the MCP protocol, triggering the execution of the generated SQL statement.
3. Database operation: The SQLcl MCP Server receives the request and executes the corresponding SQL query or command through the SQLcl interface against the Oracle Database, using a named or saved connection.
4. Response formatting and delivery: SQLcl processes the query and returns the results to the SQLcl MCP Server, which formats the output according to MCP standards and sends it back to the MCP client. Finally, the client presents the information to you in clear, natural language.