# Trello MCP Server - Detailed Project Plan
## Project Overview
**Objective**: Create a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables Claude to interact with Trello boards, lists, and cards through the Trello REST API.
**Timeline**: 2-3 weeks for full implementation
**Technology Stack**: Node.js, TypeScript, Anthropic MCP SDK, Trello REST API
## Phase 1: Foundation Setup (Days 1-3)
### 1.1 Project Initialization
- **Task**: Set up Node.js project with proper structure
- **Deliverables**:
- `package.json` with scripts and metadata
- `tsconfig.json` for TypeScript configuration
- `.gitignore` for Node.js projects
- Basic folder structure (`src/`, `dist/`, `types/`)
- **Estimated Time**: 2 hours
### 1.2 Dependency Installation
- **Task**: Install all required packages
- **Dependencies**:
- `@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` - Core MCP functionality
- `axios` or `node-fetch` - HTTP client for API calls
- `typescript` - TypeScript compiler
- `@types/node` - Node.js type definitions
- `dotenv` - Environment variable management
- `zod` - Runtime type validation
- **Dev Dependencies**:
- `nodemon` - Development auto-reload
- `ts-node` - TypeScript execution
- `@types/jest`, `jest` - Testing framework
- **Estimated Time**: 1 hour
### 1.3 Trello API Client Foundation
- **Task**: Create authenticated HTTP client for Trello API
- **Features**:
- Base URL configuration (`https://api.trello.com/1`)
- API key and token authentication
- Request/response interceptors for debugging
- Error handling for common HTTP status codes
- Rate limiting awareness
- **File**: `src/trello-client.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 4 hours
### 1.4 TypeScript Type Definitions
- **Task**: Define TypeScript interfaces for Trello entities
- **Types to Define**:
- `TrelloBoard`, `TrelloList`, `TrelloCard`
- `TrelloMember`, `TrelloLabel`, `TrelloChecklist`
- API response wrappers and error types
- **File**: `src/types/trello.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 3 hours
## Phase 2: Core MCP Server (Days 4-7)
### 2.1 MCP Server Structure
- **Task**: Implement base MCP server with tool registration
- **Features**:
- Server initialization and connection handling
- Tool registration system
- Request routing and validation
- Environment variable configuration
- **File**: `src/index.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 6 hours
### 2.2 Board Management Tools
- **Task**: Implement board-related MCP tools
- **Tools to Implement**:
```typescript
// List all boards accessible to user
list_boards(): Promise<TrelloBoard[]>
// Get detailed board information
get_board(boardId: string): Promise<TrelloBoard>
// Get board members
get_board_members(boardId: string): Promise<TrelloMember[]>
```
- **File**: `src/tools/boards.ts`
- **Validation**: Board ID format, permissions
- **Estimated Time**: 5 hours
### 2.3 List Management Tools
- **Task**: Implement list-related operations
- **Tools to Implement**:
```typescript
// Get all lists in a board
get_lists(boardId: string): Promise<TrelloList[]>
// Create new list
create_list(boardId: string, name: string, pos?: string): Promise<TrelloList>
// Update list properties
update_list(listId: string, updates: Partial<TrelloList>): Promise<TrelloList>
```
- **File**: `src/tools/lists.ts`
- **Validation**: Board existence, list name requirements
- **Estimated Time**: 4 hours
## Phase 3: Card Operations (Days 8-12)
### 3.1 Basic Card Tools
- **Task**: Core card CRUD operations
- **Tools to Implement**:
```typescript
// Get cards from board or list
get_cards(boardId?: string, listId?: string): Promise<TrelloCard[]>
// Create new card
create_card(listId: string, name: string, desc?: string): Promise<TrelloCard>
// Update card properties
update_card(cardId: string, updates: Partial<TrelloCard>): Promise<TrelloCard>
// Delete card
delete_card(cardId: string): Promise<void>
```
- **File**: `src/tools/cards.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 6 hours
### 3.2 Advanced Card Operations
- **Task**: Card movement and member management
- **Tools to Implement**:
```typescript
// Move card between lists
move_card(cardId: string, listId: string, pos?: string): Promise<TrelloCard>
// Add member to card
add_card_member(cardId: string, memberId: string): Promise<void>
// Remove member from card
remove_card_member(cardId: string, memberId: string): Promise<void>
// Set card due date
set_card_due_date(cardId: string, due: string): Promise<TrelloCard>
```
- **Validation**: Member existence, date format validation
- **Estimated Time**: 5 hours
## Phase 4: Extended Features (Days 13-16)
### 4.1 Label Management
- **Task**: Card labeling system
- **Tools to Implement**:
```typescript
// Get available labels for board
get_labels(boardId: string): Promise<TrelloLabel[]>
// Add label to card
add_card_label(cardId: string, labelId: string): Promise<void>
// Remove label from card
remove_card_label(cardId: string, labelId: string): Promise<void>
// Create custom label
create_label(boardId: string, name: string, color: string): Promise<TrelloLabel>
```
- **File**: `src/tools/labels.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 4 hours
### 4.2 Checklist Operations
- **Task**: Checklist and checklist item management
- **Tools to Implement**:
```typescript
// Get checklists on card
get_card_checklists(cardId: string): Promise<TrelloChecklist[]>
// Create checklist on card
create_checklist(cardId: string, name: string): Promise<TrelloChecklist>
// Add item to checklist
add_checklist_item(checklistId: string, name: string): Promise<TrelloChecklistItem>
// Update checklist item status
update_checklist_item(cardId: string, itemId: string, state: 'complete' | 'incomplete'): Promise<void>
```
- **File**: `src/tools/checklists.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 5 hours
## Phase 5: Error Handling & Validation (Days 17-19)
### 5.1 Comprehensive Error Handling
- **Task**: Robust error management system
- **Features**:
- Network error handling (timeouts, connection issues)
- Trello API error mapping (400, 401, 403, 404, 429, 500)
- Rate limiting detection and retry logic
- User-friendly error messages for Claude
- **File**: `src/error-handler.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 6 hours
### 5.2 Input Validation
- **Task**: Validate all tool inputs using Zod schemas
- **Validation Rules**:
- Board/List/Card ID format validation
- Required vs optional parameters
- String length limits for names/descriptions
- Date format validation
- Color code validation for labels
- **File**: `src/validation/schemas.ts`
- **Estimated Time**: 4 hours
### 5.3 Configuration Management
- **Task**: Environment and configuration setup
- **Features**:
- Environment variable validation
- Configuration file support
- Default value handling
- Setup documentation and examples
- **Files**:
- `src/config.ts`
- `.env.example`
- Configuration documentation in README
- **Estimated Time**: 3 hours
## Phase 6: Testing & Integration (Days 20-21)
### 6.1 Unit Testing
- **Task**: Test individual components and tools
- **Test Coverage**:
- Trello API client methods
- Each MCP tool function
- Error handling scenarios
- Input validation
- **Framework**: Jest with TypeScript support
- **Target Coverage**: >80%
- **Estimated Time**: 8 hours
### 6.2 Integration Testing
- **Task**: Test MCP server with Claude Desktop
- **Testing Scenarios**:
- Server startup and connection
- Tool discovery and execution
- Error scenarios and recovery
- Performance with large boards
- **Tools**: MCP Inspector, manual testing with Claude Desktop
- **Estimated Time**: 6 hours
## Phase 7: Documentation & Deployment (Days 22-23)
### 7.1 Final Documentation
- **Task**: Complete all documentation
- **Deliverables**:
- Updated README with examples
- API documentation for each tool
- Troubleshooting guide
- Configuration examples
- **Estimated Time**: 4 hours
### 7.2 Build & Distribution
- **Task**: Prepare for distribution
- **Features**:
- Build scripts and optimization
- Package.json metadata completion
- Distribution-ready artifacts
- Installation testing on clean system
- **Estimated Time**: 3 hours
## Risk Assessment & Mitigation
### Technical Risks
1. **Trello API Rate Limits**
- Risk: Hitting API limits during development/testing
- Mitigation: Implement rate limiting, caching for frequently accessed data
2. **Authentication Complexity**
- Risk: Difficulty managing API keys/tokens securely
- Mitigation: Clear documentation, environment variable validation
3. **MCP Protocol Changes**
- Risk: Breaking changes in MCP SDK
- Mitigation: Pin specific SDK versions, monitor release notes
### Implementation Risks
1. **Scope Creep**
- Risk: Adding too many features beyond core functionality
- Mitigation: Stick to defined MVP, document future enhancements
2. **Integration Issues**
- Risk: Problems with Claude Desktop integration
- Mitigation: Regular testing with MCP Inspector, follow MCP best practices
## Success Metrics
### Functional Requirements
- [ ] All core tools (boards, lists, cards) working correctly
- [ ] Proper error handling for all failure scenarios
- [ ] Successful integration with Claude Desktop
- [ ] Complete documentation and setup guide
### Quality Requirements
- [ ] >80% test coverage
- [ ] TypeScript strict mode compliance
- [ ] No security vulnerabilities in dependencies
- [ ] Performance: <2s response time for typical operations
### User Experience
- [ ] Clear, helpful error messages
- [ ] Intuitive natural language interaction
- [ ] Reliable authentication setup process
- [ ] Comprehensive usage examples
## Future Enhancements (Post-MVP)
1. **Advanced Features**
- Webhook support for real-time updates
- Batch operations for multiple cards
- Advanced search and filtering
- File attachment management
2. **Integration Enhancements**
- Support for Trello Power-Ups
- Board templates and automation
- Advanced member management
- Custom field support
3. **Developer Experience**
- CLI tool for server management
- Development dashboard
- Performance monitoring
- Automated testing in CI/CD
This plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for building a production-ready Trello MCP server with proper architecture, testing, and documentation.
