# Migration Summary: fal.ai MCP Server to TypeScript/Smithery
## Overview
Successfully migrated the fal.ai MCP server from Python (FastMCP) to TypeScript with Smithery HTTP transport support.
## What Was Done
### 1. Project Structure ✅
Created a complete TypeScript project structure:
```
fal.ai mcp/
├── src/
│ ├── index.ts # Main server with all tools
│ ├── config.ts # Configuration constants
│ └── utils.ts # API utility functions
├── api/ # Original Python code (kept for reference)
├── package.json # Node.js dependencies and scripts
├── tsconfig.json # TypeScript configuration
├── smithery.yaml # Smithery deployment config
├── .gitignore # Git ignore rules
├── README-TYPESCRIPT.md # TypeScript documentation
├── MIGRATION_SUMMARY.md # This file
└── main.py # Original Python entry point
```
### 2. Dependencies Installed 📦
**Runtime Dependencies:**
- `@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` v1.18.2 - Official MCP SDK
- `@smithery/sdk` v1.6.4 - Smithery SDK for HTTP transport
- `zod` v3.25.46 - Schema validation
**Development Dependencies:**
- `@smithery/cli` v1.4.0 - Smithery CLI for development and building
- `@types/node` v20.0.0 - Node.js type definitions
- `typescript` v5.3.0 - TypeScript compiler
### 3. Implemented Features 🛠️
All features from the original Python server were ported:
#### Model Tools
- ✅ `models` - List available models with pagination
- ✅ `search` - Search models by keywords
- ✅ `schema` - Get OpenAPI schema for any model
#### Generation Tools
- ✅ `generate` - Generate content (direct or queued)
- ✅ `result` - Get queued request results
- ✅ `status` - Check queued request status
- ✅ `cancel` - Cancel queued requests
#### Storage Tools
- ✅ `upload` - Upload files to fal.ai CDN
### 4. Configuration Schema 📋
Created a Zod-based configuration schema:
```typescript
export const configSchema = z.object({
apiKey: z.string().describe("Your fal.ai API key"),
});
```
This allows users to provide their API key when connecting to the server via Smithery.
### 5. Dual Transport Support 🔄
The server supports both:
**HTTP Transport (Smithery):**
- Uses the exported `createServer` function
- Configuration via Smithery web interface
- Automatic containerization and deployment
**STDIO Transport (Local):**
- Uses the `main()` function for local development
- Configuration via `FAL_KEY` environment variable
- Compatible with Claude Desktop and other STDIO clients
### 6. Error Handling 🚨
Implemented comprehensive error handling:
- Custom `FalAPIError` class for API errors
- Proper status code propagation
- Detailed error messages in responses
- Validation for file uploads and API calls
### 7. Scripts Available 📝
```bash
# Development
npm run dev # Start with Smithery playground
# Building
npm run build # Build for HTTP (Smithery)
npm run build:stdio # Build for STDIO (local)
# Running
npm run start # Start HTTP server
npm run start:stdio # Start STDIO server
```
## Key Differences from Python Version
| Aspect | Python (FastMCP) | TypeScript (Smithery) |
|--------|------------------|----------------------|
| Framework | FastMCP | Official MCP SDK |
| Transport | STDIO only | HTTP + STDIO |
| Type Safety | Runtime (Python) | Compile-time (TypeScript) |
| Schema | FastMCP decorators | Zod schemas |
| Config | Environment only | Smithery config + Environment |
| Deployment | Manual | Smithery one-click |
| Dev Tools | FastMCP inspector | Smithery playground |
## API Endpoints Used
The server connects to these fal.ai endpoints:
- `https://fal.ai/api` - Public model listing and schemas
- `https://queue.fal.run` - Queued execution
- `https://fal.run` - Direct execution
- `https://rest.alpha.fal.ai` - File storage
## How to Use
### Local Development
1. **Install dependencies:**
```bash
npm install
```
2. **Start development server:**
```bash
npm run dev
```
This opens the Smithery playground for testing.
3. **Or use STDIO mode:**
```bash
npm run build:stdio
FAL_KEY="your-api-key" npm run start:stdio
```
### Deployment to Smithery
1. **Push to GitHub:**
```bash
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git push
```
2. **Deploy:**
- Go to [smithery.ai/new](https://smithery.ai/new)
- Connect your repository
- Add your fal.ai API key in configuration
- Deploy!
## Migration Benefits
✅ **Better Type Safety** - TypeScript catches errors at compile time
✅ **HTTP Support** - Works with modern MCP clients over HTTP
✅ **Smithery Integration** - One-click deployment and management
✅ **Better Dev Experience** - Interactive playground for testing
✅ **Backward Compatible** - Still works with STDIO for local use
✅ **Production Ready** - Automatic containerization and scaling
✅ **Better Documentation** - Inline types and JSDoc comments
## Testing
### Test the Server
1. **Using Smithery Playground:**
```bash
npm run dev
```
- Test all tools in the web interface
- See real-time responses
- Validate configurations
2. **Using STDIO with Claude Desktop:**
- Build the project: `npm run build:stdio`
- Configure Claude Desktop to use the built server
- Test through Claude's interface
### Example Test Cases
**List Models:**
```typescript
{
"page": 1,
"total": 5
}
```
**Generate Image:**
```typescript
{
"model": "fal-ai/flux/dev",
"parameters": {
"prompt": "A beautiful sunset",
"image_size": "square"
},
"queue": false
}
```
**Upload File:**
```typescript
{
"path": "/path/to/image.jpg"
}
```
## Next Steps
1. ✅ TypeScript migration complete
2. ⏭️ Test with Smithery playground
3. ⏭️ Deploy to Smithery
4. ⏭️ Connect from Claude Desktop or other MCP clients
5. ⏭️ Monitor usage and performance
## Troubleshooting
### "Cannot find module" errors
```bash
npm install
npm run build:stdio
```
### API key errors
- For Smithery: Configure in web interface
- For STDIO: `export FAL_KEY="your-key"`
### TypeScript errors
```bash
npm install --save-dev @types/node
npx tsc --noEmit # Check for errors without building
```
## Resources
- [Smithery Documentation](https://smithery.ai/docs)
- [SMITHERY_MCP_GUIDE.md](./SMITHERY_MCP_GUIDE.md) - Complete guide
- [README-TYPESCRIPT.md](./README-TYPESCRIPT.md) - Usage documentation
- [fal.ai API Docs](https://fal.ai/docs)
- [MCP Specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io)
## Conclusion
The migration is complete and the server is ready for:
- ✅ Local development with Smithery playground
- ✅ STDIO compatibility for Claude Desktop
- ✅ Production deployment on Smithery
- ✅ HTTP transport for modern MCP clients
All original functionality has been preserved and enhanced with better type safety, error handling, and deployment options.
