The world of industrial automation is getting a significant upgrade. CODESYS — the widely-used PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming environment — has integrated the Model Context Protocol ( MCP ), enabling AI systems to control and automate PLC development tasks.
What Is CODESYS?
CODESYS is a development environment for programming PLCs used across countless industries — from manufacturing to building automation. It is the backbone of many industrial control systems worldwide.
What Is MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standard that allows AI systems and large language models (LLMs) to interact with external tools and platforms. Think of it as a bridge between AI assistants and real-world systems.
How They Work Together
The CODESYS MCP add-on enables direct communication between AI systems and the CODESYS Development System. This means:
- AI-controlled development — AI can navigate and operate the CODESYS environment
- Automated routine tasks — POU creation, code editing, and compilation can be handled by AI
- Context-aware code generation — PLC code is generated precisely within the project context
- Project management automation — AI assists with managing automation projects
Recognition: Product of the Year 2026
The editors of Computer & Automation have nominated CODESYS for the Product of the Year 2026 award for this MCP integration. The add-on enables seamless data exchange via MCP between AI systems with LLMs and the CODESYS Development System.
Open Source Option
For developers looking to experiment, there is an open-source toolkit available on GitHub: johannesPettersson80/codesys-mcp-toolkit. This MCP server for CODESYS V3 enables interaction between MCP clients (like AI assistants) and CODESYS, allowing automation of project management, POU creation, code editing, and compilation via the CODESYS Scripting Engine.
What This Means for Industrial Automation
- Faster development — routine coding tasks handled by AI
- Fewer errors — AI-generated code within proper project context reduces mistakes
- Lower barrier to entry — AI assistance makes PLC programming more accessible
- New possibilities — AI agents can monitor, optimize, and maintain PLC systems
The integration of AI into industrial programming is no longer theoretical — it is happening now. CODESYS is leading the charge in making PLC programming smarter and more efficient.
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Published: April 13, 2026
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