AEM MCP Server

# AEM MCP Server Improvements ## Overview This document outlines the comprehensive improvements made to the AEM MCP (Model Context Protocol) server to fix issues with methods like `listChildren`, `listPages`, and other AEM API integrations. The improvements focus on proper AEM 6.5 API usage, better error handling, and more robust implementations. ## Key Issues Fixed ### 1. **listChildren Method** **Problem**: Used QueryBuilder incorrectly and didn't properly handle AEM's JSON response structure. **Solution**: - Implemented proper AEM JSON API usage with fallback to QueryBuilder - Added proper filtering of JCR system properties - Improved response structure with meaningful metadata - Added proper error handling for 404/403 responses **Key Improvements**: ```typescript // Now uses direct JSON API first: /path.depth.json // Falls back to QueryBuilder: /bin/querybuilder.json // Properly filters system properties (jcr:, sling:, cq:, rep:, oak:) // Returns structured data with name, path, primaryType, title, lastModified ``` ### 2. **listPages Method** **Problem**: Similar issues with QueryBuilder usage and response handling. **Solution**: - Implemented recursive page discovery using AEM's JSON API - Added proper cq:Page filtering - Improved depth and limit handling - Added fallback mechanisms for better reliability **Key Improvements**: ```typescript // Recursive processing of page hierarchies // Proper cq:Page node identification // Enhanced metadata extraction (template, lastModified, resourceType) // Better performance with direct JSON API calls ``` ### 3. **Replication Methods (activate/deactivate/unpublish)** **Problem**: Used incorrect AEM replication endpoints that don't exist in AEM 6.5. **Solution**: - Fixed replication endpoints to use `/bin/replicate.json` - Added fallback to `/bin/wcmcommand` for compatibility - Proper form data handling for replication requests - Added support for tree activation/deactivation **Key Improvements**: ```typescript // Correct endpoint: /bin/replicate.json // Proper form data with cmd=Activate/Deactivate // Support for deep=true parameter for tree operations // Fallback mechanisms for different AEM configurations ``` ### 4. **Asset Management (upload/update)** **Problem**: Incorrect DAM API usage and improper file handling. **Solution**: - Implemented proper Sling POST servlet usage for asset operations - Added correct JCR node structure for DAM assets - Improved metadata handling - Added verification steps after operations **Key Improvements**: ```typescript // Proper DAM asset creation with jcr:primaryType=dam:Asset // Correct metadata placement in jcr:content/metadata // File content handling for base64 and binary data // Post-operation verification ``` ### 5. **Template Management** **Problem**: Basic template retrieval without proper structure analysis. **Solution**: - Enhanced template discovery from multiple locations (/conf, /apps, /libs) - Added template structure analysis with policies and components - Improved site-specific template handling - Added allowed components extraction **Key Improvements**: ```typescript // Multi-location template search // Site-specific template configuration support // Template policy and structure analysis // Component allowlist extraction ``` ## New Features Added ### 1. **bulkUpdateComponents Method** - Batch component updates with validation - Rollback support on failures - Continue-on-error option - Comprehensive result reporting ### 2. **Enhanced Error Handling** - AEM-specific error codes and messages - Retry mechanisms for recoverable errors - Proper HTTP status code handling - Detailed error context information ### 3. **Improved API Robustness** - Multiple fallback strategies for each operation - Better connection handling and timeouts - Proper authentication error handling - Rate limiting awareness ## AEM 6.5 Best Practices Implemented ### 1. **JSON API Usage** - Prefer direct JSON API calls over QueryBuilder when possible - Use proper depth parameters (`:depth` vs `depth`) - Handle AEM's specific JSON response structure ### 2. **QueryBuilder Integration** - Correct parameter usage (`p.nodedepth`, `p.limit`, `p.hits`) - Proper result parsing from `hits` array - Fallback usage when JSON API is restricted ### 3. **Sling POST Servlet** - Correct form data encoding for operations - Proper operation parameters (`:operation`, `:contentType`) - JCR property handling with correct prefixes ### 4. **Replication API** - Use of correct replication servlets - Proper command parameters (cmd, path, deep) - Agent-specific configurations ## Configuration Improvements ### 1. **Enhanced AEM Configuration** ```typescript // Better endpoint configuration endpoints: { content: '/content', dam: '/content/dam', query: '/bin/querybuilder.json', replicate: '/bin/replicate.json', wcmcommand: '/bin/wcmcommand' } ``` ### 2. **Improved Validation** - Path validation for security - Component type validation - Locale validation with fallbacks - Parameter validation with detailed error messages ## Testing Recommendations ### 1. **Connection Testing** ```bash # Test basic connectivity curl -u admin:admin http://localhost:4502/libs/granite/core/content/login.html # Test JSON API curl -u admin:admin http://localhost:4502/content.1.json # Test QueryBuilder curl -u admin:admin "http://localhost:4502/bin/querybuilder.json?path=/content&type=cq:Page&p.limit=5" ``` ### 2. **Method Testing** ```bash # Test listChildren curl -u admin:admin -X POST http://localhost:8080/mcp \ -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \ -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"listChildren","params":{"path":"/content"}}' # Test listPages curl -u admin:admin -X POST http://localhost:8080/mcp \ -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \ -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"listPages","params":{"siteRoot":"/content","depth":2,"limit":10}}' ``` ## Performance Improvements ### 1. **Reduced API Calls** - Single JSON API call instead of multiple QueryBuilder requests - Batch operations where possible - Efficient depth handling ### 2. **Better Caching Strategy** - Response verification only when necessary - Reuse of axios instances - Proper timeout configurations ### 3. **Memory Optimization** - Streaming for large responses - Proper cleanup of temporary data - Efficient object processing ## Security Enhancements ### 1. **Input Validation** - Path traversal prevention - SQL injection protection in queries - Parameter sanitization ### 2. **Authentication Handling** - Proper credential management - Session handling improvements - Error message sanitization ## Migration Notes ### 1. **Breaking Changes** - Response structure improvements (more metadata) - Error response format changes - Some method parameter changes for consistency ### 2. **Backward Compatibility** - Legacy method support maintained - Fallback mechanisms preserve functionality - Gradual migration path available ## Monitoring and Debugging ### 1. **Enhanced Logging** - Operation-specific log messages - Error context preservation - Performance metrics logging ### 2. **Health Checks** - AEM connectivity verification - Method availability testing - Configuration validation ## Conclusion These improvements transform the AEM MCP server from a basic prototype into a production-ready integration tool that properly leverages AEM 6.5's APIs and follows Adobe's best practices. The server now provides: - **Reliability**: Robust error handling and fallback mechanisms - **Performance**: Optimized API usage and efficient operations - **Security**: Proper validation and authentication handling - **Maintainability**: Clean code structure and comprehensive documentation - **Extensibility**: Easy to add new methods and features The server is now ready for production use with AEM 6.5 environments and provides a solid foundation for AI-powered AEM content management workflows.