ebay_get_tablesLABSCO SUMMARY
SQL over eBay, which means the model can discover the schema instead of guessing at endpoints.
Turning an API into relational tables sounds like a detour until you notice the effect: list the tables, read the columns, then write one query — a loop a model handles well and REST pagination it does not. Two things to plan for: the JDBC driver is a separate licensed install with its own trial, and this build is read-only, so anything that changes data needs CData's commercial server.
What it is
CData's read-only MCP server for eBay. The CData JDBC driver models eBay as relational tables, and this Java server puts a tool interface in front of that driver, so an assistant can discover the schema and run a SELECT rather than calling eBay's API directly.
What you get
- A tool that retrieves the tables available in the data source, returned as CSV with a header row
- A tool that retrieves the columns of a named table, so the model learns the schema before querying
- A tool that executes a SQL SELECT query
- Tool names carry the prefix you set in the .prp file, so several CData servers can coexist in one client
- Read-only by design — for write, update and delete, CData points at its own commercial MCP server
Requirements
Java, plus Maven to build: mvn clean install produces CDataMCP-jar-with-dependencies.jar. Separately install and license the CData JDBC Driver for eBay, running java -jar cdata.jdbc.ebay.jar --license with your name, email and either TRIAL or a licence key. Then write a .prp file naming Prefix, ServerName, ServerVersion, DriverPath, DriverClass (cdata.jdbc.ebay.eBayDriver), the JdbcUrl from the connection-string utility, and optionally a table list. Launch as java -jar with the jar and the .prp path. It speaks stdio, so client and server must be on the same machine.
Setup effort
Build from source — clone the repository, then point your client at the binary
USE CASES
01
Asking a question about your eBay data
Describe what you want; the model finds the tables and writes the SELECT.
02
Learning what is even available
List the tables, then read the columns of the one that looks right.
03
Running several CData sources side by side
Give each one its own prefix so the tool names do not collide.
3 tools
Listed in project docs. Your client may show a different list.
ebay_get_columnsebay_run_queryBEFORE YOU INSTALL
What to know first
Tools you get
3 tools named in the project's documentation. Tool names start with the Prefix set in the .prp file, for example ebay_run_query. The build is read-only: ebay_run_query executes SQL SELECT only, although the documentation also promises writes.
Where it runs
Both documented setups run the server on your machine.
INSTALLATION
Connect your client
Clone the repository, then point your client at the binary. This one is built from source rather than installed with a single command.
Server setup
TERMINAL
git clone https://github.com/cdatasoftware/ebay-mcp-server-by-cdata.git
cd ebay-mcp-server-by-cdata
mvn clean installDownload and install the CData JDBC Driver for eBay from https://www.cdata.com/drivers/ebay/download/jdbc
License the driver: in the driver's lib folder run java -jar cdata.jdbc.ebay.jar --license, then enter name, email and "TRIAL" (or your license key)
Run java -jar cdata.jdbc.ebay.jar to open the Connection String utility, test the connection and copy the connection string
Create a .prp file with Prefix / ServerName / ServerVersion / DriverPath / DriverClass=cdata.jdbc.ebay.eBayDriver / JdbcUrl / Tables
Tables only picks which tables also get a ready-made description for your assistant, and empty means none; the server can still list and query every table your connection string reaches, so to keep data out of reach, limit that connection or the account it signs in with.
Add the mcpServers entry below to claude_desktop_config.json and restart the client
MCP Clients
Claude Desktop — macOS, Linux, Windows
JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"ebay": {
"command": "<YOUR_PATH_TO_JAVA>",
"args": [
"-jar",
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_CDATA_MCP_JAR_WITH>",
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_EBAY>"
]
}
}
}