InstantDB is the open-source real-time client database that many small teams use as a Firebase alternative — instantaneous writes, durable persistence, multiplayer-by-default. Connecting InstantDB to clariBI surfaces every app, schema, and dataset into your AI analyses.
Why connect InstantDB
Real-time data questions ("how many writes did the prod app see in the last hour?") usually require Postgres-side telemetry tools.
With InstantDB connected, you can ask "List apps in our org", "Show me the schema for the chat app", or "How many users are currently active on app X?" and the AI engine pulls the answer.
How the connection works
clariBI talks to InstantDB through its hosted MCP server at https://mcp.instantdb.com/mcp. Authentication uses an OAuth flow that clariBI registers itself for (no developer console setup on your side). Tokens stay encrypted server-side and never leave clariBI in clear form.
sequenceDiagram
actor U as You
participant C as clariBI
participant V as InstantDB
U->>C: Click Authorize with InstantDB
C->>V: Open OAuth authorization
V-->>U: Grant read access?
U->>V: Approve
V-->>C: Authorization code
C->>V: Exchange code for tokens
V-->>C: Access + refresh tokens
C->>C: Encrypt and store credentials
C-->>U: Connection ready
Available tools
clariBI exposes the read-only InstantDB tools that the vendor's MCP server publishes at connection time. Write operations (create, update, delete, send, refund) are filtered out by a name-pattern blocklist before any tool reaches the analysis engine, so connecting InstantDB cannot modify data on the vendor side.
The exact tool inventory depends on the InstantDB features your account has access to. After connecting, try a few natural-language questions to see what InstantDB data clariBI can pull.
Data flow during analysis
When you ask a question that maps to InstantDB, the AI engine routes to the right tool, reads the result, and pairs the answer with a chart you can pin to a dashboard.
sequenceDiagram
actor U as You
participant C as clariBI
participant AI as AI engine
participant V as InstantDB
U->>C: Ask a question about real-time client-database state and metadata
C->>AI: Plan the analysis
AI->>V: Call the right tool
V-->>AI: Tool result
AI->>AI: Summarize and chart
C-->>U: Answer plus visual
Setting up the connection
- Open Data Sources in the clariBI sidebar.
- Click Add data source.
- Open the MCP Servers tab.
- Click the InstantDB card.
- Click Authorize with InstantDB.
- Sign in to InstantDB in the popup window and grant the requested read scopes.
- Back in clariBI, give your data source a name.
- Click Finish.
Permissions and data access
OAuth scoping is granted at authorize time. clariBI requests read access to apps + schemas. Disconnect from your InstantDB account or from clariBI Settings.
Troubleshooting
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "App not found" | The app handle was renamed in InstantDB. | Use the current app handle in the question; the catalog refreshes on the next call. |