Configuration

AI

Configuration for AI Assistant and Model Context Protocol (MCP) features.
Environment Variables
Environment variables are configurable for Directus Enterprise Cloud projects via our Customer Success team. You can also set environment variables in self-hosted projects.

AI Assistant

VariableDescriptionDefault Value
AI_ENABLEDWhether AI Assistant features are available. Set to false to completely disable AI Assistant across the entire instance, hiding the sidebar for all users and disabling the settings for administrators.true
When AI_ENABLED is set to false:
  • The API routes for the assistant are not mounted
  • AI Assistant sidebar is hidden from all users
  • AI settings form displays a disabled notice
This is useful for compliance requirements where AI features must be completely hidden.

Model Context Protocol

VariableDescriptionDefault Value
MCP_ENABLEDWhether the Model Context Protocol server is available for system administrators to enable in project settings. Set to false to completely disable MCP functionality across the entire instance.true
When MCP_ENABLED is set to false, the MCP server cannot be enabled through Settings → AI → Model Context Protocol in the admin interface, providing system administrators with complete control over AI integration features. See the MCP Server guide for more information.

Telemetry

Send AI Assistant traces to an external observability platform for monitoring usage, performance, and cost.

VariableDescriptionDefault Value
AI_TELEMETRY_ENABLEDEnable OpenTelemetry-based tracing for AI Assistant requests.false
AI_TELEMETRY_PROVIDERTelemetry provider to use. Supported values: langfuse, braintrust.langfuse
AI_TELEMETRY_RECORD_IOInclude full prompt inputs and response outputs in traces.false
Enabling AI_TELEMETRY_RECORD_IO will send the full content of user messages and AI responses to your telemetry provider. Only enable this if your telemetry provider meets your data privacy requirements.

Langfuse

Set AI_TELEMETRY_PROVIDER to langfuse (default).

VariableDescriptionDefault Value
LANGFUSE_SECRET_KEYLangfuse secret key.
LANGFUSE_PUBLIC_KEYLangfuse public key.
LANGFUSE_BASE_URLLangfuse API base URL.https://cloud.langfuse.com

Braintrust

Set AI_TELEMETRY_PROVIDER to braintrust.

VariableDescriptionDefault Value
BRAINTRUST_API_KEYBraintrust API key.
BRAINTRUST_PROJECT_NAMEBraintrust project name for grouping traces.
BRAINTRUST_API_URLBraintrust API URL. Only needed for self-hosted instances.

Get once-a-month release notes & real‑world code tips...no fluff. 🐰