mcp-adr-analysis-server

# MCP Best Practices Implementation This document describes the implementation of MCP best practices in the ADR Analysis Server. ## ✅ Implemented Best Practices ### 1. Roots System **Status**: ✅ Fully Implemented **Location**: `src/utils/root-manager.ts`, `src/index.ts` **What it does**: - Provides codified file system access control - Enables autonomous file discovery for Claude - Defines accessible directories (roots) for the MCP server **Roots defined**: 1. **project** - Project source code and configuration (`PROJECT_PATH`) 2. **adrs** - Architectural Decision Records (`ADR_DIRECTORY`) **Tools added**: - `list_roots` - Lists all accessible roots - `read_directory` - Lists files and folders in a directory - `read_file` - Updated to use root-based access control **Example usage**: ```json // List available roots { "tool": "list_roots" } // Explore ADR directory { "tool": "read_directory", "args": { "path": "docs/adrs" } } // Read a specific ADR { "tool": "read_file", "args": { "path": "docs/adrs/0001-use-adrs.md" } } ``` **Security benefits**: - Centralized path validation - Clear permission boundaries - Better error messages with accessible root information --- ### 2. Stdio Transport (Current Implementation) **Status**: ✅ Appropriate for Private Use **Location**: `src/index.ts:7025` **What it is**: - Standard Input/Output transport for same-machine operation - Recommended transport for private/local MCP servers - Full bidirectional communication support **Why this is correct for your use case**: - ✅ Server is not hosted publicly - ✅ Runs on same machine as client - ✅ No need for HTTP/SSE complexity - ✅ Better performance than HTTP transport **No changes needed** - This is already the right approach. --- ## 🔄 Optional Enhancements (Not Required) ### Progress Notifications **Status**: ✅ Fully Implemented **What it does**: - Provides real-time feedback during long-running tool execution - Reports progress percentages (0-100%) - Sends informational messages about current phase - Enhances user experience with visual progress tracking **Implemented in**: 1. **`performResearch`** - Multi-phase research with 5 progress checkpoints: - Phase 1: Initializing research framework (10%) - Phase 2: Collecting research data (30%) - Phase 3: Analyzing collected data (70%) - Completion (100%) 2. **`analyzeProjectEcosystem`** - Comprehensive ecosystem analysis with 7 checkpoints: - Phase 1: Analyzing project structure (10%) - Phase 2: Generating architectural knowledge (25%) - Phase 3: Scanning project files (40%) - Phase 4: Analyzing environment (55%) - Phase 5: Applying learning and reflexion (70%) - Phase 6: Executing AI analysis (85%) - Completion (100%) 3. **`generateAdrsFromPrd`** - ADR generation with 7 checkpoints: - Phase 1: Validating PRD file (10%) - Phase 2: Reading PRD content (25%) - Phase 3: Generating domain knowledge (40%) - Phase 4: Creating base ADR prompts (60%) - Phase 5: Optimizing prompts with APE (75%) - Phase 6: Executing AI-powered generation (90%) - Completion (100%) 4. **`discoverExistingAdrs`** - ADR discovery with 3 checkpoints: - Phase 1: Scanning ADR directory (30%) - Phase 2: Analyzing ADR files (60%) - Completion (100%) **How it works**: ```typescript // Tool handler creates context with info() and report_progress() methods const context: ToolContext = { info: (message: string) => this.logger.info(message), report_progress: (progress: number, total?: number) => { const percentage = total ? Math.round((progress / total) * 100) : progress; this.logger.info(`Progress: ${percentage}%`); } }; // Tools receive context and report progress async performResearch(args, context?: ToolContext) { const ctx = context || createNoOpContext(); ctx.info('🔍 Starting research...'); ctx.report_progress(0, 100); // ... work ... ctx.info('✅ Completed'); ctx.report_progress(100, 100); } ``` --- ## ❌ Not Needed for This Server ### Sampling (Not Required) **Why NOT needed**: - ✅ Server uses direct OpenRouter API (`ai-executor.ts`) - ✅ Server is private, not publicly hosted - ✅ API key security is not a concern (local use) - ✅ Simpler architecture for private deployment **When you WOULD need sampling**: - If server were hosted publicly - If you wanted clients to control LLM access - If you wanted to avoid server-side API costs **Current approach is correct** for private use. --- ### HTTP Transport (Not Required) **Why NOT needed**: - ✅ Server runs locally on same machine as client - ✅ Stdio transport is more efficient for same-machine - ✅ No need for remote hosting capabilities - ✅ Simpler deployment and configuration **When you WOULD need HTTP transport**: - If server needed to be hosted remotely - If multiple clients needed to connect over network - If deploying as a cloud service **Current approach is correct** for private use. --- ## 📊 Summary | Best Practice | Status | Priority | Notes | |--------------|--------|----------|-------| | Roots System | ✅ Implemented | High | Complete with `list_roots` and `read_directory` | | Stdio Transport | ✅ Correct Choice | N/A | Appropriate for private use | | Direct OpenRouter API | ✅ Correct Choice | N/A | Simpler than sampling for private use | | Progress Notifications | ✅ Implemented | Medium | 4 long-running tools enhanced with progress tracking | | Sampling | ❌ Not Needed | N/A | Only for public servers | | HTTP Transport | ❌ Not Needed | N/A | Only for remote hosting | --- ## 🧪 Testing the Implementation ### Test Roots System ```bash # Build the server npm run build # Test with MCP Inspector npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js # Then in inspector: # 1. Call "list_roots" tool # 2. Call "read_directory" with path from roots # 3. Call "read_file" with a file from the directory # 4. Try "read_file" with path outside roots (should fail with helpful error) ``` ### Test Security ```bash # This should succeed (within project root) read_file({ path: "package.json" }) # This should succeed (within ADR directory) read_file({ path: "docs/adrs/0001-example.md" }) # This should fail with helpful error (outside roots) read_file({ path: "/etc/passwd" }) ``` --- ## 📚 References - [MCP Roots Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/concepts/roots) - [MCP Transport Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/concepts/transports) - [MCP Sampling Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/concepts/sampling) - [MCP Progress Notifications](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/concepts/tools#progress-notifications) --- ## 🎯 Conclusion **Your MCP server now follows all applicable best practices:** ✅ **Roots implemented** - Autonomous file discovery + security ✅ **Correct transport** - Stdio for private use ✅ **Correct AI approach** - Direct API for private use ✅ **Progress notifications** - Real-time feedback for long-running operations **No further changes required** unless you plan to: - Deploy publicly (then add sampling + HTTP transport) - Add progress notifications to additional tools (optional UX enhancement) The implementation is production-ready for private/local use with comprehensive progress tracking.