TiaCommander — MCP Server for Siemens TIA Portal

Version	2.26.1
Protocol	MCP 2024-11-05 (stdio)
Runtime	.NET Framework 4.8
TIA Portal	V15.1 – V21* (Openness API, tested on V19)
License	Proprietary (free beta)

*V15.1–V18 and V20–V21 are expected to work as TIA Portal maintains backward-compatible Openness APIs across versions, but have not been tested. Only V19 is fully tested.

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Overview

TiaCommander is an MCP server that connects AI assistants to Siemens TIA Portal via the Openness API. It enables AI-assisted PLC programming, project management, library operations, hardware configuration, cross-reference analysis, and deployment — all through natural language.

Tested AI clients: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, VS Code (Copilot), Cursor, Windsurf, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI.

16 tools, 166 actions covering the full TIA Portal project lifecycle.

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What's in the download?

TiaCommander-v2.26.1-portable/
├── docs/
│   ├── configs/
│   │   ├── claude_code.txt
│   │   ├── claude_desktop_config.json
│   │   ├── codex_cli_config.toml
│   │   ├── cursor_mcp.json
│   │   ├── gemini_cli_settings.json
│   │   ├── generic_stdio.json
│   │   ├── vscode_copilot_mcp.json
│   │   └── windsurf_mcp_config.json
│   ├── 1-QUICKSTART.md
│   ├── KNOWN_LIMITATIONS.md
│   ├── LICENSE.txt
│   └── README.md
├── data/
│   └── exports/                       ← Export output folders
│       ├── alarm_text/
│       ├── hardware/
│       ├── tag/
│       └── watch/
├── help/
│   ├── github-offline.html
│   └── readme-offline.html
├── Resources/
│   ├── logoBlack.png
│   └── tiacommander.png
├── runtimes/                          ← WebView2 native loaders
├── Templates/                         ← Block XML + alarm templates
├── x64/                               ← SQLite native library (64-bit)
├── x86/                               ← SQLite native library (32-bit)
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── EPPlus.dll
├── EPPlus.Interfaces.dll
├── LICENSE.txt
├── Microsoft.Bcl.AsyncInterfaces.dll
├── Microsoft.IO.RecyclableMemoryStream.dll
├── Microsoft.Web.WebView2.Core.dll
├── Microsoft.Web.WebView2.WinForms.dll
├── QUICKSTART.md
├── README.md
├── System.Buffers.dll
├── System.ComponentModel.Annotations.dll
├── System.Data.SQLite.dll
├── System.IO.Pipelines.dll
├── System.Memory.dll
├── System.Numerics.Vectors.dll
├── System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Unsafe.dll
├── System.Security.Cryptography.Xml.dll
├── System.Text.Encodings.Web.dll
├── System.Text.Json.dll
├── System.Threading.Tasks.Extensions.dll
├── TiaCommander.exe                   ← MCP server + Manager GUI
└── TiaCommander.exe.config

No installer, no registry changes, no system modifications. Extract, configure, and run. Download the latest .zip from GitHub Releases.

Prerequisite: Siemens TIA Portal V15.1 or later must be installed on your machine. TiaCommander loads Siemens Openness libraries directly from your TIA Portal installation at runtime — it will not start without TIA Portal.

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Why this tool exists?

First things first — we are software developers and automation engineers who use Siemens products daily — in our own facilities, at client sites, and in every project that needs industrial automation. We love it. With Siemens, it's simple — it just works. Every time. All the time.

During years of hands-on programming, wiring, testing, debugging and making things happen with Siemens PLCs, we have built TiaCommander just for our own internal needs. That's the honest reason why it exists — we built it for ourselves, and we find it awesome. It speeds things up tenfold, sometimes twentyfold, and sometimes more — until you ask yourself: how the hell were we getting things done before?!

You can get full project context through your AI assistant in under a minute. Create any block in seconds — SCL, LAD, FBD, DB — get interface structures, build multi-instance DBs, run cross-references, compile, debug, retrieve errors, and a lot more.

Every tool you see in the tool map below is built from what we actually need or use in our daily operations with Siemens PLCs. Whether you're working with S7-1200 or S7-1500 series — it doesn't matter. If Siemens TIA Portal supports it, you can use TiaCommander to manage it.

Now that we're making this tool public — we're genuinely keen on what features you're missing for your development workflow. Don't be shy — submit a feature request, file a bug report, or just tell us what you think. As an Engineer to Engineer — we read every line of feedback.

Enjoy TiaCommander.

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Architecture

AI Clients
  Claude Desktop / Code · Cursor · VS Code / Copilot · Windsurf · Codex CLI · Gemini CLI
    │
    │  JSON-RPC 2.0 · stdio
    ▼
TiaCommander MCP Server
  16 tools · 166 actions · standalone I/O · .NET Framework 4.8
    │
    │  Siemens Openness API
    ▼
TIA Portal  (V15.1 – V21*, tested on V19)
    │
    ▼
S7-1200 · S7-1500 · S7-300 · S7-400 · ET 200

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Tool Map

Tool / Action	#	Description
open_manager	—	Launch Manager GUI for registration, license, configuration
get_info	—	Server version, tool count, license status
session	15	Entry point — connect to TIA Portal, manage projects
connect		Attach to running TIA Portal (withUI=true by default)
launch		Start new TIA Portal instance (withUI=true by default)
disconnect		Release handle, optionally close TIA
↳ closeTia		Also terminate TIA Portal process
↳ saveChanges		prompt / save / discard / auto
open		Open .ap19 project (auto-launch TIA if needed, idempotent)
close_project		Close with save/discard/auto
get_project		Current project name, path, version
list_devices		Enumerate devices — needed by all other tools
save		Save project
is_dirty		Check unsaved changes
create		Create new project (withUI=true by default)
save_as		Save under new name/location
archive		Export .zap19 archive
↳ archivationMode		None / Compressed / DiscardRestorableData
configure		Set default paths (projects, archives, exports, libraries)
list_archives		List .zap* archives from configured root
blocks_read	14	Inspect, compile, export blocks
list		List all blocks with type/number/language
↳ typeFilter		all / code / OB / FB / FC / DB / GlobalDB / InstanceDB
↳ includeInstanceDbs		Expand instance DB roll-up
get_details		Block info, size, timestamps
get_interface		Full interface structure (In/Out/Static/Temp)
get_all_interfaces_summary		Summary across all blocks
get_xml_raw		Raw XML content inline
export_xml_inline		Parsed XML structure inline
export_xml_file		Export XML to file or inline (returnInline)
export_source		Export SCL/STL source
export_all_xml		Export all blocks to directory or inline
compile_block		Compile single block
compile_all		Compile all blocks
check_consistency		Block consistency status
get_compiler_messages		All compiler messages
get_compiler_errors		Errors only
blocks_write	15	Create, delete, import, modify blocks
create_fb		Create function block (number auto-assigned if omitted)
create_fc		Create function (number auto-assigned if omitted)
create_ob		Create organization block (number auto-assigned if omitted)
create_block		Full block creation with interface + logic
↳ blockType		FB / FC / OB
↳ language		LAD / SCL / FBD / STL (69 LAD/FBD instruction types)
↳ memoryLayout		Optimized (default) / Standard
↳ interface		Custom In/Out/InOut/Static/Temp/Constant sections
↳ networks[]		Multi-network blocks with per-network SCL/title/comment
delete_block		Delete any block (optional force for orphaned instance DBs)
import_xml_inline		Import block from XML string
import_xml_file		Import block from file or export DB (exportId)
add_multi_instance_member		Add static member to FB (bulk: members[])
remove_multi_instance_member		Remove static member from FB
rename_block		Rename block and/or change number
update_network		Update network title/comment
update_network_element		Surgical edit of Call elements
↳ newTarget		Retarget to different FB/FC
↳ newInstance		Swap instance DB
↳ pinWires		Rewire input/output pins to tags
add_network		Insert empty network at position
delete_network		Remove network by index
replace_network		Replace network title/comment
db	9	Data block operations
list		List all global and instance DBs
get_structure		Full DB structure via XML parse
create		Create new global DB (number auto-assigned if omitted)
create_instance_db		Create instance DB for an FB
delete		Delete data block
add_member		Add member to global DB (bulk: members[])
delete_member		Remove member from global DB (bulk: memberNames[])
update_member		Update member type, start value, comment, access flags
update_member_comment		Update member comment only
tag	12	Tag tables, tags, assignment list
list_tables		List all tag tables
get_table_details		Tags in a table with addresses/types
search		Search tags by name (partial match)
create_table		Create new tag table
delete_table		Delete tag table
add_tag		Add tag to table (bulk: tags[])
delete_tag		Remove tag from table (bulk: tagNames[])
update_comment		Update tag comment
set_access		Set external access flags (accessible, visible, writable)
get_assignment_list		Address occupancy for M/I/Q areas + HW I/O
↳ mode=declared		All declared tag addresses (default)
↳ mode=used		Only addresses referenced in block code
↳ mode=conflicts		Detect addresses in 2+ blocks (Q=error, M=info, I=hidden)
find_next_free		Next free address with alignment (Bool/Byte/Word/DWord)
↳ mode=declared		Skip all declared tag addresses (default, safest)
↳ mode=used		Skip only code-referenced addresses
export_tag_table_data		Export tag table to CSV or XLSX
udt	10	User-defined type operations
list		List all UDTs
get_structure		UDT member structure
create		Create new UDT
delete		Delete UDT
add_member		Add member to UDT (bulk: members[])
delete_member		Remove member (bulk: memberNames[])
update_member		Update member type, initial value, comment
update_member_comment		Update member comment
export_xml		Export UDT to XML (file or inline)
import_xml		Import UDT from XML (filePath / xmlContent / exportId)
watch	13	Watch and force table debugging
list_tables		List all watch + force tables
create_table		Create watch table
delete_table		Delete watch table
rename_table		Rename watch table
clear_table		Remove all entries
import_table		Import from XML (filePath / xmlContent / exportId)
get_entries		List entries with addresses/formats
add_entry		Add watch/force entry
update_entry		Update entry fields
delete_entry		Remove entry by address
export_table		Export to XML (file or inline)
export_watch_data		Export watch table to CSV or XLSX
export_force_data		Export force table to CSV or XLSX
hardware	12	Hardware config, network, I/O
get_device		Single device configuration
get_rack_slot_details		Rack/slot topology + I/O assignments
get_full_config		All devices configuration
get_network		Subnets, nodes, IO systems
get_io_map		Full I/O address map
compile_device		Compile single device HW
compile_all		Compile all HW
export_csv		Device list to CSV
export_xlsx		Device list to Excel
export_io_map		Full device I/O map (rack/slot + tags) to CSV or XLSX
export_hardware_map		Raw CAx/AML hardware data to CSV or XLSX
set_network_config		Set IP, subnet, PROFINET name, station name
library	26	Library types, master copies, lifecycle
list_libraries		List project + open global libraries
get_info		Library details + counts
list_folder		Browse folder contents
↳ section		types / master_copies / both
get_tree		Recursive tree dump
↳ section		types / master_copies / both
↳ nested		Flat list (default) or indented hierarchy
↳ includeItems		false = folder structure only (fast orientation)
find		Search by glob pattern (* and ?)
↳ section		types / master_copies / both
get_type		Type details + version list
↳ includeXml		Inline XML body (capped ~30KB)
↳ version		latest_committed (default) / explicit / latest_any
get_master_copy		Master copy metadata
publish_block_as_master_copy		Publish FB/FC/OB to library
↳ onCollision		autoRename / replace / fail
publish_plc_type_as_master_copy		Publish UDT to library
delete_master_copy		Delete master copy
instantiate_master_copy		Copy master copy into project
instantiate_library_type		Instantiate versioned type
add_to_multi_instance_fb		Add type as multi-instance member
create_library_folder		Create folder in library
delete_library_folder		Delete folder (recursive option)
export_type_xml		Export type version to XML file
open_global_library		Open .al19 file
↳ openMode		ReadOnly (default) / ReadWrite
close_global_library		Close global library
create_global_library		Create new .al19
save_global_library		Save global library
archive_global_library		Archive to .zal19
update_check		Preview what update_project would change
update_project		Apply library updates to project (destructive)
↳ deleteUnusedVersions		Auto-delete versions with no instances
promote_to_global		Copy types to global library
↳ forceUpdateMode		SetOnlyHigher / ForceSetAny / NoDefaultVersionChange
↳ structureConflictMode		CancelIfConflicts / UpdateStructure / RetainStructure
compare_to_target		Diff two libraries
delete_unused_types		Remove types with no instances (dry-run + confirm)
xref	4	Cross-reference analysis
get_references		Cross-refs for one block (who it calls, what it reads/writes)
↳ filter		all / with_refs / without_refs / unused
find_unused		All blocks not called from any OB chain
find_callers		Which blocks call/reference a target block
find_orphaned_instance_dbs		Instance DBs whose owning FB is missing
alarm_text	15	PLC alarm text lists, entries, alarm classes
list_textlists		List system + user text lists
create_textlist		Create text list (optionally with entries)
↳ listRange		Decimal (default) / Binary / Bit
get_entries		Read entries for a text list
add_entries		Add entries to text list
update_entries		Update entries by From value
delete_entries		Delete entries by From value
update_textlist_comment		Update comment (direct API)
delete_textlist		Delete user text list
export_alarm_texts		Export alarm instance texts to XLSX
import_alarm_texts		Import alarm texts from XLSX
export_textlists		Export text lists to XLSX
import_textlists		Import text lists from XLSX
export_alarm_classes		Export alarm class definitions
import_alarm_classes		Import alarm class definitions
export_alarm_data		Export alarm data to CSV or XLSX (scope: texts/lists/classes)
admin	11	Server administration, usage analytics, export storage
get_stats		Call statistics per tool+action (counts, errors, avg duration)
get_recent_errors		Last N failed calls with device/firmware context
get_device_profiles		All unique devices seen (order number, firmware, TIA version)
get_version		Server version, DB path, DB size
get_system_info		OS, .NET, TIA Portal version, uptime, memory
list_exports		Recent exports stored in DB (with size, format, timestamp)
get_export		Retrieve export content with paging
↳ raw		Content only, no metadata header
delete_export		Delete single export
clear_exports		Delete expired exports
save_export		Save export to file (auto-decodes base64 for XLSX)
open_file		Open exported file with default Windows application
diagnostics	6	Runtime PLC state, network scan, connection config, compare
scan_devices		Network scan — discover accessible PLCs
configure_connection		Set up download connection programmatically
get_plc_status		Online/offline state
go_online		Connect to PLC
go_offline		Disconnect from PLC
compare_online_offline		Compare project vs PLC — all blocks, tags, UDTs
download_upload	4	Download to PLC, upload station into project
download_check		Pre-flight: connection, compile status
download_to_device		Download to PLC (requires confirm)
↳ mode		software_changes (default) / software / hardware_software / hardware
↳ stopModules		Stop PLC before download (default: false)
upload_check		Enumerate upload connection options
upload_station		Upload PLC station into project (requires confirm)

Total: 16 tools (14 meta-tools + 2 standalone), 166 actions

Each meta-tool groups related actions behind a single action parameter. get_info and open_manager are standalone utilities that work without a license. Start with session to connect, then use any other tool.

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Tested Hardware

TiaCommander should work with any PLC supported by TIA Portal and the Openness API. The following devices have been tested in-house with full tool coverage:

Device	Order Number	Firmware	TIA Portal
S7-1200 CPU 1212C DC/DC/Rly	6ES7 212-1BE31-0XB0	V3.0	V19
S7-1200 CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC	6ES7 214-1AG31-0XB0	V3.0	V19
S7-1200 CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC	6ES7 214-1HG40-0XB0	V4.5	V19
S7-1200 CPU 1215C DC/DC/DC	6ES7 215-1AG31-0XB0	V3.0	V19
S7-1200 CPU 1215C DC/DC/Rly	6ES7 215-1BG31-0XB0	V3.0	V19
S7-1200 CPU 1217C DC/DC/DC	6ES7 217-1AG40-0XB0	V4.2	V19

This list will grow as we collect telemetry data from users and expand testing across more device families, firmware versions, and TIA Portal editions.

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Block Creation

TiaCommander creates complete PLC blocks from structured JSON descriptions:

• SCL blocks — via External Source API (firmware-agnostic)
• LAD/FBD blocks — via FlgNet XML builder with 69 verified instruction types:
  • Bit logic, timers (TON/TOF/TP), counters (CTU/CTD/CTUD)
  • Math (Add, Sub, Mul, Div, Mod, Abs, Sqrt, Sin, Cos, etc.)
  • Comparators (EQ, NE, GT, GE, LT, LE)
  • Move & conversion, word logic, shift & rotate, selection
  • Program flow (FB/FC calls with parameter wiring, JMP/JMPN, RET, LABEL)
• Block numbers — auto-assigned if omitted, or explicit
• Custom interfaces — Input, Output, InOut, Static, Temp, Constant sections

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Safety

The MCP server treats PLC deployment operations as destructive. These actions require explicit confirmation strings before execution:

Action	What it does
download_to_device	Downloads software/hardware to a live PLC
upload_station	Uploads a PLC station into the project
delete_unused_types	Removes library types with zero instances

All other operations work within the TIA Portal project and are reversible before download.

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Standalone I/O

TiaCommander works fully standalone — no external file management tools required.

Three input modes for every import: file path, inline content, or export database reference.

Three output modes for every export: inline (default), export database, or file.

Exports auto-expire after 24 hours. Manage via admin tool actions.

However, we strongly recommend pairing TiaCommander with Desktop Commander (GitHub) for your daily AI agent workflow. Desktop Commander gives your AI assistant terminal access, file management, and code editing capabilities across your entire OS. This is not a paid promotion — we use Desktop Commander every day in our own work, and it happens to be created by our fellow Latvian, Eduards Ruzga. It's free, open-source, and it makes everything better.

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Data & Privacy

All data stays on your machine. The local SQLite database stores tool call statistics, device profiles, error log, and temporary export cache.

TiaCommander collects limited telemetry to improve the product:

• Error reports — when a tool call fails, the error type and context are sent so we can identify and fix issues.
• Tool usage statistics — which tools and actions are used most often, to understand what is most valuable.
• AI client information — which AI assistant is connected (client name and version), to ensure compatibility.

No PLC program data, project files, or block contents are ever transmitted.

Your personal information (name, surname, email) provided during registration is governed by European Union GDPR rules. We do not share, sell, or disclose your data to third parties. We will never send you marketing materials or anything not directly relevant to your use of TiaCommander — unless you explicitly ask us to.

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What's Next

TiaCommander is actively developed. Here's what we're working on:

• HMI integration — Openness API access to HMI screens, tags, and alarm views
• Runtime monitoring — live PLC data via Web API and OPC UA (S7-1200 V4.4+, S7-1500)
• TIA Portal V20 support — updated Openness DLLs and new API features
• PLCSIM Advanced — simulation control for offline development and testing
• S7-1500 expanded testing — broader device family coverage with telemetry-driven validation

Have a feature idea? Submit it on GitHub.

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Quick Start

Download the latest release and see the Quick Start Guide — everything you need to get up and running in 5 minutes: extract, Openness group setup, AI client configuration for all 7 tested clients, license activation, and first commands.

Ready-to-use config files for each AI client are in the configs/ folder.

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License & Feedback

TiaCommander is proprietary software published by SIA A4 Studio. During the beta period, the tool is completely free with unlimited usage and all tools available — no restrictions.

In return, we count on you to help us make TiaCommander better. If you encounter a bug, have an idea for a new feature, or just want to share how you use the tool in your workflow — we want to hear from you:

• Bug reports: github.com/a4webdev/tiacommander-mcp/issues
• Feature requests: github.com/a4webdev/tiacommander-mcp/issues
• Testimonials & feedback: tiacommander.com/wf/github

Every report, every suggestion, every comment helps us build a better tool for the Siemens automation community.

See LICENSE.txt for full terms. Visit tiacommander.com for more information.

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Trademarks

TiaCommander™ is a trademark of SIA A4 Studio. Siemens, TIA Portal, SIMATIC, S7-1200, S7-1500 are trademarks of Siemens AG. TiaCommander is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Siemens AG.