MIGRATION_TO_OFFICIAL_PATTERN.md•6.81 kB
# Migration to Official MCP Server Pattern
This document outlines the recommended changes to align our LicenseSpring MCP server with official MCP server distribution patterns.
## 🎯 **Key Changes Needed**
### **1. Package Structure Alignment**
#### **Current Structure:**
```
licensespring-mcp/
├── package.json (complex, multiple bins)
├── src/
├── dist/
├── install-for-claude.js
├── setup.js
├── multiple documentation files
```
#### **Recommended Structure (Official Pattern):**
```
licensespring-mcp/
├── package.json (simplified, single bin)
├── src/
├── dist/
├── README.md (concise, focused)
├── Dockerfile
```
### **2. Package.json Changes**
#### **Before:**
```json
{
"name": "licensespring-mcp",
"bin": {
"licensespring-license-api": "./dist/license-api-server.js",
"licensespring-management-api": "./dist/management-api-server.js",
"licensespring-claude-install": "./install-for-claude.js"
},
"files": ["dist/", "install-for-claude.js", "..."]
}
```
#### **After (Official Pattern):**
```json
{
"name": "@modelcontextprotocol/server-licensespring",
"bin": {
"mcp-server-licensespring": "./dist/license-api-server.js"
},
"files": ["dist/"],
"scripts": {
"build": "tsc && shx chmod +x dist/*.js",
"prepare": "npm run build"
}
}
```
### **3. Distribution Method Changes**
#### **Current Approach:**
- Custom installation scripts
- Local build + configuration
- Complex setup process
#### **Official Pattern:**
- NPM package with `npx` usage
- Docker containers
- Simple environment variable configuration
### **4. User Configuration Changes**
#### **Current:**
```bash
# Complex setup
git clone repo
npm install
npm run build
node setup.js
# Copy config to Claude Desktop
```
#### **Official Pattern:**
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"licensespring": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-licensespring"],
"env": {
"LICENSE_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
}
}
}
}
```
## 📋 **Implementation Plan**
### **Phase 1: Package Restructuring**
1. **✅ Update package.json** (completed above)
- Change name to `@modelcontextprotocol/server-licensespring`
- Simplify bin entries
- Add `prepare` script
- Add `shx` dependency
2. **Create separate packages** for each server:
- `@modelcontextprotocol/server-licensespring` (License API)
- `@modelcontextprotocol/server-licensespring-management` (Management API)
3. **✅ Add Dockerfiles** (completed above)
### **Phase 2: Documentation Simplification**
1. **✅ Create official-style README** (completed above)
- Focus on essentials
- Prominent Claude Desktop integration
- Clear configuration examples
2. **Keep comprehensive docs as supplementary**:
- Move detailed guides to separate files
- Reference from main README
### **Phase 3: Distribution Setup**
1. **NPM Publishing**:
```bash
npm publish --access public
```
2. **Docker Publishing**:
```bash
docker build -t mcp/licensespring .
docker push mcp/licensespring
```
3. **Remove custom installation scripts**:
- Users will use standard `npx` workflow
- Simpler onboarding process
## 🔄 **Migration Benefits**
### **For Users:**
- **Simpler installation**: Just `npx` command
- **Standard workflow**: Familiar to MCP ecosystem users
- **Better integration**: Works seamlessly with Claude Desktop
- **Reduced complexity**: No custom scripts or complex setup
### **For Maintainers:**
- **Ecosystem alignment**: Follows official patterns
- **Easier maintenance**: Standard NPM/Docker workflows
- **Better discoverability**: Official naming convention
- **Reduced support burden**: Standard installation process
### **For Ecosystem:**
- **Consistency**: Matches other MCP servers
- **Interoperability**: Works with MCP tooling
- **Professional appearance**: Official package naming
## 🚀 **Recommended Next Steps**
### **Immediate (High Priority):**
1. **✅ Install shx dependency**:
```bash
npm install --save-dev shx
```
2. **✅ Update build script** (completed above)
3. **Test NPX workflow**:
```bash
npm run build
npx . # Test local execution
```
### **Short Term (Medium Priority):**
1. **Create separate package directories**:
```
packages/
├── license-api/
│ ├── package.json
│ ├── src/
│ └── README.md
└── management-api/
├── package.json
├── src/
└── README.md
```
2. **Publish to NPM**:
- Register `@modelcontextprotocol` scope (if possible)
- Or use your own scope: `@yourusername/server-licensespring`
3. **Update documentation**:
- Replace current README with official-style version
- Move comprehensive docs to supplementary files
### **Long Term (Low Priority):**
1. **Add VS Code integration buttons**
2. **Create Docker Hub repositories**
3. **Add to official MCP server registry**
## ⚠️ **Considerations**
### **Subscription Tier Support:**
- **Keep this unique feature** - it's a competitive advantage
- **Simplify the configuration** - use environment variables only
- **Maintain backward compatibility** during transition
### **Existing Users:**
- **Provide migration guide** for current users
- **Support both patterns temporarily** during transition
- **Clear communication** about changes and benefits
### **Package Naming:**
- **Ideal**: `@modelcontextprotocol/server-licensespring`
- **Alternative**: `@yourusername/server-licensespring`
- **Fallback**: `licensespring-mcp-server`
## 📊 **Comparison Summary**
| Aspect | Current Approach | Official Pattern | Recommendation |
|--------|------------------|------------------|----------------|
| **Package Name** | `licensespring-mcp` | `@modelcontextprotocol/server-*` | ✅ Adopt official |
| **Installation** | Custom scripts | `npx` command | ✅ Adopt official |
| **Configuration** | Complex setup | Environment variables | ✅ Simplify |
| **Documentation** | Comprehensive | Concise + focused | ✅ Streamline |
| **Distribution** | Multiple methods | NPM + Docker | ✅ Standardize |
| **User Experience** | Complex but thorough | Simple and standard | ✅ Balance both |
## 🎉 **Expected Outcomes**
After implementing these changes:
1. **Easier user onboarding** - from 5+ steps to 1 step
2. **Better ecosystem integration** - works with MCP tooling
3. **Professional appearance** - matches official servers
4. **Reduced support burden** - standard workflows
5. **Maintained unique features** - subscription tier support preserved
The goal is to **maintain all the great functionality** we've built while **aligning with ecosystem standards** for better user adoption and maintenance.