MCP_IMPLEMENTATION_COMPARISON.md•6.62 kB
# MCP Server Implementation Comparison
## Overview
This document compares different approaches to implementing Notion MCP servers, focusing on the differences between your current hybrid implementation and the better "official MCP SDK pattern" approach.
## Current Implementation Issues
### 1. **Dual Transport Complexity**
```python
# Your current approach: Two separate implementations
class MCPHTTPHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
# Custom HTTP JSON-RPC handling
def handle_mcp_request(self, request_data):
# Manual JSON-RPC parsing
class NotionMCPServer:
# Separate MCP server implementation
@self.server.call_tool()
async def call_tool(name: str, arguments: dict):
# Duplicate tool logic
```
**Problems:**
- Code duplication across transports
- Maintenance nightmare
- Inconsistent behavior between HTTP and stdio
- Complex deployment scenarios
### 2. **Manual JSON-RPC Handling**
```python
# Your current HTTP approach
def handle_mcp_request(self, request_data):
method = request_data.get("method", "")
if method == "tools/list":
# Manual tool listing
elif method == "tools/call":
# Manual tool calling
```
**Problems:**
- Reimplementing what MCP SDK already provides
- Error-prone manual parsing
- No built-in validation
- Missing MCP protocol features
### 3. **Limited MCP Events**
Your current implementation only handles:
- `tools/list`
- `tools/call`
**Missing:**
- Resources (`resources/list`, `resources/read`)
- Prompts (`prompts/list`, `prompts/get`)
- Logging events
- Completion events
## Better Approach: Official MCP SDK Pattern
### 1. **Single Transport Focus**
```python
class BetterNotionMCPServer:
def __init__(self, notion_token: str):
self.notion = Client(auth=notion_token)
self.server = Server("notion-mcp-server") # Single server instance
self._setup_handlers()
async def run(self):
await stdio_server(self.server) # Focus on stdio
```
**Benefits:**
- Single source of truth
- Consistent behavior
- Easier to maintain
- Better for Claude Desktop integration
### 2. **Proper MCP Event Handling**
```python
# Tools
@self.server.list_tools()
async def list_tools() -> List[Tool]:
return [...]
@self.server.call_tool()
async def call_tool(name: str, arguments: dict) -> List[TextContent]:
return [...]
# Resources
@self.server.list_resources()
async def list_resources() -> List[Resource]:
return [...]
@self.server.read_resource()
async def read_resource(uri: str) -> str:
return "..."
# Prompts
@self.server.list_prompts()
async def list_prompts() -> List[Prompt]:
return [...]
@self.server.get_prompt()
async def get_prompt(name: str, arguments: dict) -> GetPromptResult:
return GetPromptResult(...)
```
**Benefits:**
- Uses **all MCP events** (tools, resources, prompts)
- Built-in validation and error handling
- Proper type safety
- Future-proof as MCP evolves
### 3. **Resources for Data Access**
```python
# Expose Notion data as resources
@self.server.list_resources()
async def list_resources() -> List[Resource]:
return [
Resource(
uri="notion://workspace/pages",
name="Notion Pages",
description="Access to Notion workspace pages",
mimeType="application/json"
)
]
```
**Benefits:**
- AI can discover available data
- Structured data access
- Better context for AI models
- Follows MCP best practices
### 4. **Prompts for Common Tasks**
```python
# Pre-built prompts for common workflows
@self.server.list_prompts()
async def list_prompts() -> List[Prompt]:
return [
Prompt(
name="create_meeting_notes",
description="Create structured meeting notes in Notion",
arguments=[...]
)
]
```
**Benefits:**
- Reusable templates
- Consistent formatting
- Better user experience
- Reduces prompt engineering burden
## Key Differences Summary
| Aspect | Your Current Approach | Better Approach |
| --------------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Transport** | HTTP + stdio hybrid | stdio focused |
| **Code Structure** | Duplicated logic | Single implementation |
| **MCP Events** | 2 events (tools only) | All events (tools, resources, prompts) |
| **Protocol Handling** | Manual JSON-RPC | Official MCP SDK |
| **Type Safety** | Limited | Full type safety |
| **Error Handling** | Custom | Built-in MCP handling |
| **Maintenance** | High complexity | Low complexity |
| **Future-proofing** | Limited | Full MCP compatibility |
## Why the Better Approach is Superior
### 1. **Standards Compliance**
- Uses official MCP SDK properly
- Follows Anthropic's recommended patterns
- Compatible with all MCP clients (Claude Desktop, etc.)
### 2. **Rich Feature Set**
- **Tools**: Core functionality
- **Resources**: Expose Notion data for AI context
- **Prompts**: Pre-built templates for common tasks
- **Logging**: Proper debugging and monitoring
### 3. **Maintainability**
- Single codebase to maintain
- Clear separation of concerns
- Type-safe with proper error handling
- Easy to extend with new features
### 4. **Performance**
- No HTTP overhead for local usage
- Efficient stdio transport
- Async throughout
- Better resource utilization
## Migration Recommendation
**Replace your current implementation with the better approach because:**
1. **Simplicity**: 300 lines vs 900+ lines
2. **Reliability**: Uses battle-tested MCP SDK
3. **Features**: Full MCP protocol support
4. **Maintenance**: Single implementation to maintain
5. **Future-proofing**: Will work with MCP evolution
## Example Usage Comparison
### Current Approach
```bash
# HTTP deployment complexity
docker run -p 8080:8080 notion-mcp-server
# OR
python -m src.notion_mcp_server.server
```
### Better Approach
```bash
# Simple stdio usage
python -m notion_mcp_server.better_server
# Directly integrates with Claude Desktop
```
## Conclusion
The **better approach is significantly superior** because it:
- Uses the MCP protocol properly
- Provides all MCP features (tools, resources, prompts)
- Is much simpler to maintain
- Follows industry standards
- Works better with AI clients
**Recommendation**: Replace your current implementation with the better approach for production use.