create-environment

name	create-environment
description	Generate Harness Environment YAML for deployment targets and create via MCP. Supports PreProduction and Production types with environment variables, manifest overrides, and multi-environment setup (dev, staging, prod). Use when asked to create an environment, set up staging, configure production, define deployment targets, or manage environment overrides. Trigger phrases: create environment, deployment environment, setup dev, setup staging, setup production, environment variables, environment overrides.
metadata	{"author":"Harness","version":"2.0.0","mcp-server":"harness-mcp-v2"}
license	Apache-2.0
compatibility	Requires Harness MCP v2 server (harness-mcp-v2)

Create Environment

Generate Harness Environment YAML and push to Harness via MCP.

Instructions

1. Determine environment type - PreProduction for dev/staging/QA, Production for live environments
2. Define variables and overrides - Environment-specific config values and manifest overrides
3. Generate YAML using the structure below
4. Create via MCP using harness_create with resource_type environment

Environment Structure

environment:
  name: Staging
  identifier: staging
  orgIdentifier: default
  projectIdentifier: my_project
  type: PreProduction       # PreProduction or Production
  tags:
    tier: staging
  variables:
    - name: domain
      type: String
      value: staging.myapp.com
    - name: replicas
      type: Number
      value: "2"
    - name: db_password
      type: Secret
      value: <+secrets.getValue("staging_db_password")>
  overrides:
    manifests:
      - manifest:
          identifier: values_override
          type: Values
          spec:
            store:
              type: Github
              spec:
                connectorRef: github
                repoName: config
                branch: main
                paths: [values-staging.yaml]

Environment Types

• PreProduction - Dev, QA, staging, integration environments
• Production - Live production environments (enables additional safeguards)

Multi-Environment Setup

Create dev, staging, and prod:

# Dev
environment:
  name: Development
  identifier: dev
  type: PreProduction
  variables:
    - name: domain
      type: String
      value: dev.myapp.com

# Staging
environment:
  name: Staging
  identifier: staging
  type: PreProduction
  variables:
    - name: domain
      type: String
      value: staging.myapp.com

# Production
environment:
  name: Production
  identifier: prod
  type: Production
  variables:
    - name: domain
      type: String
      value: myapp.com

Creating via MCP

Call MCP tool: harness_create
Parameters:
  resource_type: "environment"
  org_id: "<organization>"
  project_id: "<project>"
  body: <environment YAML>

List environments:

Call MCP tool: harness_list
Parameters:
  resource_type: "environment"
  org_id: "<organization>"
  project_id: "<project>"

Examples

• "Create dev, staging, and prod environments" - Generate 3 environments with appropriate types
• "Set up a production environment with overrides" - Production type with manifest overrides

Performance Notes

• When creating multiple environments (dev/staging/prod), ensure variable values are distinct per environment.
• Verify that manifest override paths exist in the referenced repository before creating.
• Use Production type only for live environments — it enables additional safeguards like deployment freezes.

Troubleshooting

• DUPLICATE_IDENTIFIER - Environment exists; use harness_update
• Production type enables deployment freeze and approval guardrails