How do I install the Itential Automation skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add gabrielmoreira/itential-automation in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Itential Automation skill do?

Itential Automation Platform (IAP) — network automation orchestration, device configuration management, compliance enforcement, workflow execution, golden config, lifecycle management, and gateway services via 65+ MCP tools. Use when automating network changes through Itential, running compliance plans, deploying golden configs, or orchestrating IAP workflows It is listed under AI & ML on SkillMD.

Is Itential Automation safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Capability flags: makes network calls, reads secrets. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Itential Automation?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Itential Automation free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free. This skill is licensed under Apache-2.

Who published Itential Automation?

gabrielmoreira (@gabrielmoreira) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Itential Automation by gabrielmoreira

Name: Itential Automation
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: gabrielmoreira

Itential Automation Platform

MCP Server

Field	Value
Repository	itential/itential-mcp
Transport	stdio (default), SSE, HTTP
Python	3.10+ (supports 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13)
Dependencies	`fastmcp`, `ipsdk>=0.7.0`, `python-toon`, `wsproto`
Install	`pip install itential-mcp`
Entry Point	`itential-mcp run`
Auth	Basic (user/pass), OAuth 2.0, JWT
Container	`ghcr.io/itential/itential-mcp:latest`

Environment Variables

Required

Variable	Purpose
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_HOST`	IAP hostname or IP address
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_USER`	Username for platform authentication
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_PASSWORD`	Password for platform authentication

Optional

Variable	Default	Purpose
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_PORT`	`443`	Platform connection port
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_TIMEOUT`	`30`	Request timeout (seconds)
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_DISABLE_TLS`	`false`	Disable TLS to platform
`ITENTIAL_MCP_PLATFORM_DISABLE_VERIFY`	`false`	Skip certificate verification
`ITENTIAL_MCP_SERVER_TRANSPORT`	`stdio`	Transport type (stdio/sse/http)
`ITENTIAL_MCP_SERVER_LOG_LEVEL`	`INFO`	Log verbosity
`ITENTIAL_MCP_SERVER_TOOLS_PATH`	—	Custom tools directory

Tools by Category

Platform Health (1 tool)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_health`	—	Comprehensive platform health: status, system, server, applications, adapters (5 parallel API calls)

Configuration Manager — Devices (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_devices`	—	List all devices known to the platform with connection details
`get_device_configuration`	`name`	Fetch the current running configuration from a device
`backup_device_configuration`	`name`, `description?`, `notes?`	Create a config backup with optional metadata; returns backup ID
`apply_device_configuration`	`device`, `config`	Deploy configuration commands to a target device

Configuration Manager — Compliance (3 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_compliance_plans`	—	List all compliance plans (config validation rules for org standards)
`run_compliance_plan`	`name`	Execute a compliance plan against devices; returns pass/fail results
`describe_compliance_report`	`report_id`	Detailed compliance report: rule violations, device status, config analysis

Configuration Manager — Device Groups (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_device_groups`	—	List all device groups with member devices
`create_device_group`	`name`, `description?`, `devices?`	Create a new device group for bulk operations
`add_devices_to_group`	`name`, `devices`	Add devices to an existing group
`remove_devices_from_group`	`name`, `devices`	Remove devices from a group

Configuration Manager — Golden Config (3 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_golden_config_trees`	—	List all Golden Configuration trees with versions
`create_golden_config_tree`	`name`, `device_type`, `template?`, `variables?`	Create a new Golden Config tree with Jinja2 template
`add_golden_config_node`	`tree_name`, `name`, `version?`, `path?`, `template?`	Add a hierarchical config node to a tree

Configuration Manager — Inventory (5 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_inventories`	—	List all inventories with node counts
`describe_inventory`	`name`	Inventory details: groups, actions, tags, nodes with attributes
`create_inventory`	`name`, `groups`, `description?`, `devices?`	Create a new inventory with groups and optional devices
`add_nodes_to_inventory`	`inventory_name`, `nodes`	Bulk add nodes with connection attributes and tags
`delete_inventory`	`name`	Permanently remove an inventory

Configuration Manager — Templates (1 tool)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`render_template`	`template`, `variables?`	Render a Jinja2 template string with variables

Operations Manager — Workflows (5 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_workflows`	—	List all enabled workflow API endpoints with input schemas
`start_workflow`	`route_name`, `data?`	Execute a workflow by route; returns job ID, tasks, status, metrics
`get_jobs`	`name?`, `project?`	List workflow execution instances with status and timing
`describe_job`	`object_id`	Full job details: tasks, status, metrics, timestamps
`expose_workflow`	`name`, `route_name?`, `project?`, `endpoint_name?`, `endpoint_description?`, `endpoint_schema?`	Create an API endpoint trigger to expose a workflow

Automation Studio — Command Templates (6 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_command_templates`	—	List all command templates from global space and projects
`describe_command_template`	`name`, `project?`	Detailed template info including commands and validation rules
`run_command_template`	`name`, `devices`, `project?`	Execute a command template against devices with rule evaluation
`run_command`	`cmd`, `devices`	Execute a single CLI command across multiple devices
`create_command_template`	`name`, `commands`, `project?`, `description?`, `os?`, `pass_rule?`, `ignore_warnings?`	Create a template with commands and validation rules (`<!variable!>` syntax)
`update_command_template`	`name`, `commands`, `project?`, `description?`, `os?`, `pass_rule?`, `ignore_warnings?`	Update an existing command template

Automation Studio — Templates (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_templates`	`template_type?`	List all templates, optionally filtered by type (textfsm/jinja2)
`describe_template`	`name`, `project?`	Template details: content, sample data, type, group, command
`create_template`	`name`, `template_type`, `group`, `project?`, `command?`, `template?`, `sample_data?`	Create a new TextFSM or Jinja2 template
`update_template`	`name`, `project?`, `command?`, `template?`, `sample_data?`	Update existing template (partial update supported)

Automation Studio — Projects (2 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_projects`	—	List all Automation Studio projects
`describe_project`	`name`	Project details including component types, folders, references

Lifecycle Manager (7 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_resources`	—	List all resource models with descriptions
`create_resource`	`name`, `schema`, `description?`	Create a resource model with JSON Schema definition
`describe_resource`	`name`	Resource details including lifecycle actions and input schemas
`get_instances`	`resource_name`	List all instances of a resource model
`describe_instance`	`resource_name`, `instance_name`	Instance details: data, last action, state
`run_action`	`resource_name`, `action_name`, `instance_name?`, `instance_description?`, `input_params?`	Execute a lifecycle action; returns job ID and status
`get_action_executions`	`resource_name`, `instance_name`	Execution history: timestamps, status, before/after states

Adapters (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_adapters`	—	List all adapters with name, version, state
`start_adapter`	`name`, `timeout?`	Start a stopped adapter; waits for RUNNING state
`stop_adapter`	`name`, `timeout?`	Stop a running adapter; waits for STOPPED state
`restart_adapter`	`name`, `timeout?`	Restart a running adapter (use `start_adapter` for stopped ones)

Applications (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_applications`	—	List all applications with name, version, state
`start_application`	`name`, `timeout?`	Start a stopped application
`stop_application`	`name`, `timeout?`	Stop a running application
`restart_application`	`name`, `timeout?`	Restart a running application

Gateway Manager (3 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_services`	—	List all services with name, cluster, type, description
`get_gateways`	—	List connected gateways with status
`run_service`	`name`, `cluster`, `input_params?`	Execute a gateway service; returns stdout, stderr, return code, timing

Integrations (3 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_integrations`	`model?`	List integration instances, optionally filtered by model
`get_integration_models`	—	List all integration models with version info
`create_integration_model`	`model`	Create an integration model from OpenAPI spec

Workflow Engine — Metrics (6 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
`get_job_metrics`	—	Aggregate job metrics across all workflows
`get_job_metrics_for_workflow`	`name`	Job metrics filtered by workflow name
`get_task_metrics`	—	Comprehensive task metrics across all workflows
`get_task_metrics_for_workflow`	`name`	Task metrics filtered by workflow name
`get_task_metrics_for_app`	`name`	Task metrics filtered by application name
`get_task_metrics_for_task`	`name`	Metrics for a specific task across all workflows

Dynamic Tool Bindings

The server also supports dynamically registered tools:

Endpoint bindings — Expose IAP workflow triggers as MCP tools via ITENTIAL_MCP_TOOL_<NAME>_TYPE=endpoint
Service bindings — Expose Gateway Manager services as MCP tools via ITENTIAL_MCP_TOOL_<NAME>_TYPE=service

Workflows

1. Platform Health Check

get_health → assess status/system/server/applications/adapters health
→ get_adapters → check for DEAD/STOPPED adapters
→ get_applications → check for stopped applications
→ Report overall platform status → GAIT

2. Device Configuration Audit

get_devices → inventory all managed devices
→ get_device_groups → understand grouping strategy
→ get_compliance_plans → list org compliance rules
→ run_compliance_plan(plan_name) → execute against devices
→ describe_compliance_report(report_id) → review violations
→ Severity-sort findings → GAIT

3. Golden Config Deployment

get_golden_config_trees → review available configs
→ get_devices → select target devices
→ render_template(jinja2_template, variables) → preview config
→ backup_device_configuration(device) → baseline before change
→ apply_device_configuration(device, rendered_config) → deploy
→ get_device_configuration(device) → verify post-change
→ GAIT

4. Workflow Orchestration

get_workflows → discover available automations
→ get_projects → review Automation Studio projects
→ start_workflow(route_name, data) → trigger execution
→ describe_job(object_id) → monitor progress and tasks
→ get_job_metrics_for_workflow(name) → performance analysis
→ GAIT

5. Command Template Execution

get_command_templates → list available templates
→ describe_command_template(name) → review commands and rules
→ get_device_groups → select target group
→ run_command_template(name, devices) → execute with rule evaluation
→ Review per-device results → GAIT

6. Lifecycle Resource Management

get_resources → discover resource models
→ describe_resource(name) → review lifecycle actions and schemas
→ get_instances(resource_name) → list existing instances
→ run_action(resource, action, instance, params) → execute lifecycle action
→ get_action_executions(resource, instance) → verify execution history
→ GAIT

7. Integration Model Onboarding

get_integration_models → review existing integrations
→ create_integration_model(openapi_spec) → register new model
→ get_integrations(model) → verify instance created
→ GAIT

Integration with Other Skills

Skill	Integration
pyats-network	Use Itential command templates to run structured commands; compare pyATS parsed output with Itential compliance results
pyats-config-mgmt	Itential golden config as the desired state; pyATS for pre/post verification; ServiceNow for CR gating
netbox-reconcile	Itential inventories reflect NetBox source of truth; compliance plans validate against NetBox-defined intent
nautobot-sot	Same as NetBox — cross-reference Itential device inventory with Nautobot IPAM data
infrahub-sot	Cross-reference Infrahub schema-driven nodes with Itential device groups and inventories
servicenow-change-workflow	Gate all Itential config deployments behind ServiceNow Change Requests
gait-session-tracking	Every Itential workflow execution, config push, and compliance run logged in GAIT
fmc-firewall-ops	Itential workflows can orchestrate firewall policy changes validated by FMC search
nso-device-ops	Itential as the orchestration layer on top of NSO for multi-vendor service deployment
te-network-monitoring	Validate network health via ThousandEyes after Itential config deployments
aws-network-ops	Itential workflows for hybrid network automation spanning on-prem and AWS
gcp-compute-ops	Itential lifecycle management for resources spanning on-prem and GCP

Tag-Based Tool Filtering

Itential MCP supports tag-based filtering to restrict which tools are exposed:

Tag	Tools	Use Case
`health`	1	Platform monitoring
`configuration_manager`	15	Device config, compliance, golden config, templates, inventories
`operations_manager`	5	Workflow execution and job management
`automation_studio`	12	Command templates, projects, device commands, TextFSM/Jinja2 templates
`lifecycle_manager`	7	Resource models, instances, lifecycle actions
`workflow_engine`	6	Job and task performance metrics
`adapters`	4	Adapter lifecycle management
`applications`	4	Application lifecycle management
`gateway_manager`	3	Gateway and service operations
`integrations`	3	Integration model management

Use --include-tags to restrict to specific categories or --exclude-tags to hide experimental tools.

Itential vs Other Orchestration Platforms

Capability	Itential IAP	Cisco NSO	Ansible
Focus	Full lifecycle automation orchestration	Network service orchestration	Config management + ad-hoc tasks
Device Management	Inventory, groups, config backup/push	CDB, device sync, NED-based	Inventory, groups, playbooks
Compliance	Built-in compliance plans + reports	Custom via templates	Custom via assert/compliance roles
Golden Config	Hierarchical tree-based with versioning	Config templates via services	Jinja2 templates in roles
Workflow Engine	Visual workflow builder + API triggers	Service deployment plans	Playbooks + AWX/Tower
Lifecycle Mgmt	Resource models with action schemas	Service lifecycle via FASTMAP	Roles with tags
MCP Tools	65+ tools across 10 categories	5 tools (devices + services)	N/A
Integration	OpenAPI-based integration models	NED packages	Modules + collections
Gateway	Gateway Manager for distributed execution	LSA for distributed NSO	Execution environments

Guardrails

Gate config deployments — All apply_device_configuration calls must be preceded by a ServiceNow Change Request in Implement state
Always backup first — Call backup_device_configuration before any apply_device_configuration
Verify after deployment — Call get_device_configuration after applying changes to confirm they took effect
Compliance before and after — Run run_compliance_plan pre- and post-change to verify compliance posture
Record in GAIT — Every workflow execution, config push, compliance run, and template operation must be logged
Adapter health awareness — Check get_adapters for DEAD or STOPPED adapters before attempting device operations
Case-sensitive names — Workflow names, device names, template names, and plan names are all case-sensitive in the IAP API

Itential Automation

File contents

Itential Automation Platform

MCP Server

Environment Variables

Required

Optional

Tools by Category

Platform Health (1 tool)

Configuration Manager — Devices (4 tools)

Configuration Manager — Compliance (3 tools)

Configuration Manager — Device Groups (4 tools)

Configuration Manager — Golden Config (3 tools)

Configuration Manager — Inventory (5 tools)

Configuration Manager — Templates (1 tool)

Operations Manager — Workflows (5 tools)

Automation Studio — Command Templates (6 tools)

Automation Studio — Templates (4 tools)

Automation Studio — Projects (2 tools)

Lifecycle Manager (7 tools)

Adapters (4 tools)

Applications (4 tools)

Gateway Manager (3 tools)

Integrations (3 tools)

Workflow Engine — Metrics (6 tools)

Dynamic Tool Bindings

Workflows

1. Platform Health Check

2. Device Configuration Audit

3. Golden Config Deployment

4. Workflow Orchestration

5. Command Template Execution

6. Lifecycle Resource Management

7. Integration Model Onboarding

Integration with Other Skills

Tag-Based Tool Filtering

Itential vs Other Orchestration Platforms

Guardrails

Frequently asked questions

Itential Automation

File contents

Itential Automation Platform

MCP Server

Environment Variables

Required

Optional

Tools by Category

Platform Health (1 tool)

Configuration Manager — Devices (4 tools)

Configuration Manager — Compliance (3 tools)

Configuration Manager — Device Groups (4 tools)

Configuration Manager — Golden Config (3 tools)

Configuration Manager — Inventory (5 tools)

Configuration Manager — Templates (1 tool)

Operations Manager — Workflows (5 tools)

Automation Studio — Command Templates (6 tools)

Automation Studio — Templates (4 tools)

Automation Studio — Projects (2 tools)

Lifecycle Manager (7 tools)

Adapters (4 tools)

Applications (4 tools)

Gateway Manager (3 tools)

Integrations (3 tools)

Workflow Engine — Metrics (6 tools)

Dynamic Tool Bindings

Workflows

1. Platform Health Check

2. Device Configuration Audit

3. Golden Config Deployment

4. Workflow Orchestration

5. Command Template Execution

6. Lifecycle Resource Management

7. Integration Model Onboarding

Integration with Other Skills

Tag-Based Tool Filtering

Itential vs Other Orchestration Platforms

Guardrails

Related skills

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the Itential Automation skill?

What does the Itential Automation skill do?

Is Itential Automation safe to use?

Which AI agents work with Itential Automation?

Is Itential Automation free to use?

Who published Itential Automation?