# MCP Integration Quick Start
> Ethically integrate community MCP servers with full attribution
## Prerequisites
```bash
# Set GitHub token for API access
export GITHUB_TOKEN=your_token_here
# Get token at: https://github.com/settings/tokens
# Required scopes: public_repo (read-only is fine)
```
## Workflow
### 1️⃣ Discover
Find high-quality MCP servers in crypto/web3/defi space:
```bash
npm run discover:mcp-servers
```
**Output:** `INTEGRATION_CANDIDATES.md` with ranked list
**Filters automatically applied:**
- ✅ Compatible license (MIT/Apache/BSD)
- ✅ Active development (< 6 months old)
- ✅ Minimum stars/community traction
- ✅ Crypto/Web3/DeFi focused
### 2️⃣ Verify
Check specific repository before integration:
```bash
npm run verify:license -- https://github.com/owner/repo
```
**Checks:**
- License compatibility
- Attribution requirements
- Patent clauses
- Commercial use permissions
**Exit codes:**
- `0` = Compatible, safe to integrate
- `1` = Incompatible or missing license
### 3️⃣ Integrate
Add as git subtree (preserves full history):
```bash
npm run add:subtree -- https://github.com/owner/repo project-name
```
**This:**
- Verifies license first
- Adds code to `packages/integrations/project-name`
- Preserves git history and authorship
- Displays next steps
### 4️⃣ Attribute
Add to third-party notices:
```bash
npm run verify:license -- https://github.com/owner/repo --template
```
**Generates:**
- Full license text
- Copyright notices
- Source attribution
- Appends to `THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md`
**Manual step:** Edit and verify the attribution is complete
### 5️⃣ Adapt (Optional)
Create x402-enhanced wrapper:
```typescript
// packages/integrations/project-name/adapter.ts
import { MCPServerAdapter } from '../adapter.js';
export class ProjectAdapter extends MCPServerAdapter {
constructor() {
super({
name: 'universal-crypto-project',
version: '1.0.0',
originalSource: {
name: 'Original Project',
url: 'https://github.com/owner/repo',
author: '@author',
license: 'MIT'
}
});
}
// Implement required methods
}
```
### 6️⃣ Audit
Check compliance before committing:
```bash
# Check all integrations have attribution
npm run update:attributions
# Audit all licenses (npm + integrations)
npm run audit:licenses
```
**Output:**
- ✅ All compliant
- ⚠️ Needs review
- ❌ Compliance issues
## Common Tasks
### Find DeFi-specific servers
```bash
npm run discover:mcp-servers -- --topic=defi
```
### Find by minimum stars
```bash
npm run discover:mcp-servers -- --min-stars=100
```
### Update existing subtree
```bash
cd packages/integrations/project-name
git subtree pull --prefix=packages/integrations/project-name \
https://github.com/owner/repo main --squash
```
### Generate license report
```bash
npm run licenses > LICENSE_REPORT.txt
```
## What Gets Added
```
packages/integrations/
└── project-name/
├── ORIGINAL_LICENSE ← Required: Full original license
├── adapter.ts ← Optional: x402 enhancements
├── README.md ← From original project
└── ... ← All original files
```
```
THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md ← Required: Attribution
```
```
docs/
└── INTEGRATION_STRATEGY.md ← Reference docs
```
## Value We Add
Our integrations enhance original projects with:
1. **x402 Payments** - Crypto payment layer for any MCP tool
2. **Rate Limiting** - Tiered access control
3. **Caching** - Redis/memory caching
4. **Analytics** - Usage tracking and revenue reporting
5. **Clustering** - Multi-worker load balancing
6. **Monitoring** - Health checks and metrics
7. **Unified API** - Consistent interface across servers
## License Requirements by Type
### MIT License ✅
**Requirements:**
- Include copyright notice
- Include license text
**Allows:**
- ✅ Commercial use
- ✅ Modification
- ✅ Distribution
- ✅ Private use
### Apache 2.0 ✅
**Requirements:**
- Include copyright notice
- Include license text
- Include NOTICE file (if present)
- State changes made
**Allows:**
- ✅ Commercial use
- ✅ Modification
- ✅ Distribution
- ✅ Patent grant protection
### BSD 2/3-Clause ✅
**Requirements:**
- Include copyright notice
- Include license text
**Allows:**
- ✅ Commercial use
- ✅ Modification
- ✅ Distribution
### GPL ❌
**NOT COMPATIBLE**
- Viral copyleft
- Requires derivatives to be GPL
- Conflicts with commercial use
## Troubleshooting
### "GITHUB_TOKEN not set"
```bash
export GITHUB_TOKEN=ghp_your_token_here
```
### "License verification failed"
The project either:
- Has no license (cannot integrate)
- Has incompatible license (GPL, proprietary, NC)
- License file not detected (add manually)
### "Rate limit exceeded"
GitHub API limits:
- Without token: 60 requests/hour
- With token: 5000 requests/hour
Wait or use authenticated token.
### "Subtree conflict"
```bash
# Remove and re-add
rm -rf packages/integrations/project-name
npm run add:subtree -- https://github.com/owner/repo project-name
```
## Best Practices
✅ **Do:**
- Verify license before any integration
- Include full attribution and copyright
- Document integration in README
- Contribute improvements upstream
- Keep original author credits visible
- Update subtrees regularly
❌ **Don't:**
- Remove or modify copyright notices
- Claim original authorship
- Hide source of integrated code
- Violate license terms
- Integrate GPL/copyleft code
- Forget to update THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md
## Example: Complete Integration
```bash
# 1. Discover servers
npm run discover:mcp-servers
# Review INTEGRATION_CANDIDATES.md
# 2. Pick one and verify
npm run verify:license -- https://github.com/awesome/defi-mcp
# Shows: MIT License, compatible ✅
# 3. Add as subtree
npm run add:subtree -- https://github.com/awesome/defi-mcp awesome-defi
# Code added to packages/integrations/awesome-defi
# 4. Add attribution
npm run verify:license -- https://github.com/awesome/defi-mcp --template
# Appended to THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md
# 5. Create adapter (optional)
cat > packages/integrations/awesome-defi/adapter.ts << 'EOF'
import { MCPServerAdapter } from '../adapter.js';
export class AwesomeDefiAdapter extends MCPServerAdapter {
// Implementation
}
EOF
# 6. Audit before commit
npm run audit:licenses
# Shows: All compliant ✅
# 7. Commit
git add .
git commit -m "feat: integrate awesome-defi MCP server with proper attribution"
```
## Resources
- **Strategy Guide:** [docs/INTEGRATION_STRATEGY.md](../docs/INTEGRATION_STRATEGY.md)
- **Integrations README:** [packages/integrations/README.md](../packages/integrations/README.md)
- **Third-Party Notices:** [THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md](../THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md)
- **Open Source Guide:** https://opensource.guide/
- **Choose a License:** https://choosealicense.com/
## Support
Questions? Open an issue with label `integration`.
---
**Building on community work, the right way! 🤝**
