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FME Flow MCP Server returns Job Metadata Only, Not Streaming JSON Output

  • March 30, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 91 views

rsun
Contributor
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Dear All starting using FME Flow - MCP Server,

I have an existing FME workspace performing semantic search using Microsoft Copilot Retrieval API searching against SharePoint Document Library, which was used with a FME Flow App (Semantic Document Search Engine). It will return HTML based search results with generative AI vibe-coded UI. It has been working quite well for our end users.

Now, since we are all very excited about potentials of FME Flow - MCP Server. I have made a copy of my workspace and convert the out to JSON writer or TEXT writer to streaming JSON of the semantic search results.

However, Claude AI seems to only be able to get returns of job submission log from the MCP tool:
 

{
"id": 182,
"featureOutputCount": 2,
"requesterHost": "X.X.X.X",
"requesterResultPort": 57366,
"resultDatasetDownloadUrl": null,
"status": "SUCCESS",
"statusMessage": "Translation Successful",
"timeFinished": 1774908390000,
"timeQueued": 1774908385000,
"timeStarted": 1774908385000,
"outputLocation": "C:\\ProgramData\\Safe Software\\FMEFlow\\resources\\system\\temp\\engineresults\\FME_2653562A_1774908390173_6440"
}

If I ran the workspace used as a MCP tool on FME Flow directly, I see JSON of semantic search results streamed and shown...but not when it is called by the MCP server.
 


{
"status": "success",
"data": [
{
"fileName": "4002-4 Pruning, Trimming and Removal of Trees on T.pdf",
"folderPath": "https://SPO.com=Corporate+Policies%2FBuildings+_+Grounds+-+Series+4000%2F4002+-+Parks",
"folderPathDisplayName": "Corporate Policies/Buildings _ Grounds - Series 4000/4002 - Parks",
"originationDatePST": "",
"publicUrl": "https://XXX.com?file_path=Corporate%20Policies/Buildings%20_%20Grounds%20-%20Series%204000/4002%20-%20Parks/4002-4%20Pruning%2C%20Trimming%20and%20Removal%20of%20Trees%20on%20T.pdf",
"webUrl": "Corporate Policies/Buildings _ Grounds - Series 4000/4002 - Parks/4002-4 Pruning, Trimming and Removal of Trees on T.pdf",
"extractBrief": "<page_1&gt;\r\n**Approved: **3 May 00 **Amended: **14 Jul 03, 9 Jun 08, 7 Dec 09 &amp; 13 Aug 2012 **Approved By: **Council \r\n&lt;table&gt;\r\n&lt;tr&gt;\r\n&lt;td&gt; \r\n&lt;/td&gt;\r\n&lt;td&gt; \r\n** Town of Qualicum Beach Policy Manual **\r\n&lt;/td&gt;\r\n&lt;/tr&gt;\r\n&lt;tr&gt;\r\n&lt;td&gt; \r\n** Subject: Buildings and Grounds ** \r\n**Pruning, Trimming and Removal of Trees on Town- Controlled Lands **\r\n&lt;/td&gt;\r\n&lt;/tr&gt;\r\n&lt;tr&gt;\r\n&lt;td&gt; \r\n** Policy Number: 4002-4 **\r\n&lt;/td&gt;\r\n&lt;/tr&gt;\r\n&lt;/table&gt;\r\n\r\n \r\n** Purpose **This Policy recognizes the impor...",
"type": "Document",
"searchQuery": "tree removal policy",
"relevanceScore": 0.82330000000000003,
"pageNumber": "1"
},
{
"fileName": "Sept 2 Regular.pdf",
"folderPathDisplayName": "Committee Agendas/Former Committees Agendas/Parks _ Recreation Commission/2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Agendas",
"originationDatePST": "2010-09-02",
"publicUrl": "https://XXX.com?file_path=Committee%20Agendas/Former%20Committees%20Agendas/Parks%20_%20Recreation%20Commission/2010%20Parks%20%26%20Recreation%20Commission%20Agendas/Sept%202%20Regular.pdf",
"webUrl": "Committee Agendas/Former Committees Agendas/Parks _ Recreation Commission/2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Agendas/Sept 2 Regular.pdf",
"extractBrief": "&lt;page_7&gt;\r\n![][image_/pGCOYGEcJrcQZ/yqptj2w==] \r\n&lt;/page_7&gt;\r\n&lt;page_8&gt;\r\nTown of Qualicum Beach MEMORANDUM TO: M.D.\\_(Mark) Brown, CAO FOR: Regular Council August 9, 2010 FROM: Toni Botelho, Parks Foreman &amp; Arborist SUBJECT: Draft Policy No. 4002-7 Notice of Removal of Trees in Community Park RECOMMENDATION THAT Council approves Policy No. 4002-7 ~ Buildings and Grounds ~ Notice of Removal of Trees in Community Park, as presented August 9, 2010. PURPOSE To respond to Council&#39;s request for a policy t...",
"type": "Document",
"searchQuery": "tree removal policy",
"relevanceScore": 0.81850000000000001,
"pageNumber": "7"
},
{
"fileName": null,
"folderPath": null,
"folderPathDisplayName": null,
"originationDatePST": null,
"publicUrl": null,
"webUrl": null,
"extractBrief": null,
"type": null,
"searchQuery": "tree removal policy",
"relevanceScore": null,
"pageNumber": null
},
{
"fileName": null,
"folderPath": "https://SPO.com=",
"folderPathDisplayName": null,
"originationDatePST": null,
"publicUrl": null,
"webUrl": null,
"extractBrief": null,
"type": null,
"searchQuery": "tree removal policy",
"relevanceScore": null,
"pageNumber": null
}
]
}

I watched the webinar multiple times but can’t seem to find what might be the solution.

Thanks a lot!
Reno

3 replies

rsun
Contributor
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  • Author
  • Contributor
  • March 31, 2026

Fixed :) 

My Flow version was on different build number as my Form.

 

It was following:
Form: FME(R) 2026.2.0.0 (20260324 - Build 26285 - WIN64)
Flow: FME(R) 2026.2.0.0 (20260324 - Build 26283 - WIN64)

After upgrading my Flow to 26285 (2026.2) everything works fine :)

  • Tips
    • FME Flow MCP Server only support JSON (writer) for now
    • FME Workspace only need job submitter enabled, no needs of streaming

Happy FME MCPing!

Cheers,

Reno


laurentp
Contributor
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  • Contributor
  • March 31, 2026

Hey ​@rsun I just tested with ChatGPT and was able to recreate this issue using a FeatureWriter.

From what I can see, if you use a FeatureWriter instead of a “traditional” writer to stream your JSON, your AI tool (claude or in this case ChatGPT), only receives part of your translation log as a response. But if you switch to a JSON writer for instance, it works.

Here is a screenshot of what ChatGPT returns after calling my MCP tool that uses a FeatureWriter to stream the JSON :

But same request with a JSON Writer streams the JSON as expected to ChatGPT!


rsun
Contributor
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  • Author
  • Contributor
  • March 31, 2026

Thanks ​@laurentp! I was originally using JSON writer as they demonstrated in the webinar.

However, I was having issues since my Flow and Form are having slightly different build number lol. JSON writer has been updated between both build numbers within 2026.2.

After upgrading my flow to the same build number, I was able to use JSON writer again, and you are definitely right 👍 Text writer with steaming won't do it. They only support JSON writer now.

 

I am now happily using MCP server with the Claude AI and seeing great results!

 

Many thanks!