SETUP.mdβ’3.37 kB
# Quick Setup Guide
This guide will help you get the Bar Assistant MCP Server running in under 5 minutes.
## Prerequisites Check
Before starting, ensure you have:
```bash
node --version # Should be 18 or higher
npm --version # Any recent version
```
If you don't have Node.js installed, download it from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/).
## Step 1: Installation
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone <your-repository-url>
cd bar-assistant-mcp-server
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build the server
npm run build
```
## Step 2: Configuration
Copy the example environment file:
```bash
cp .env.example .env
```
Edit `.env` and add your Bar Assistant credentials:
```bash
BAR_ASSISTANT_URL=https://your-bar-assistant-instance.com/bar
BAR_ASSISTANT_TOKEN=your-api-token-here
BAR_ASSISTANT_BAR_ID=1
```
### Getting Your API Token
1. Log into your Bar Assistant instance
2. Go to **Settings** β **API**
3. Click **Generate new token**
4. Copy the token and paste it into your `.env` file
## Step 3: Test
Verify everything works:
```bash
npm test
```
You should see:
```
πΈ Starting Bar Assistant MCP Server Tests
β
PASSED: API Connectivity Test
β
PASSED: Search Cocktails Test
β
PASSED: Negroni Recommendations Test
...
π All tests passed!
```
## Step 4: MCP Client Configuration
### For VS Code
Create `.vscode/mcp.json` (copy from `.vscode/mcp.json.example`):
```jsonc
{
"servers": {
"bar-assistant": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["dist/src/bar-assistant-mcp-server.js"],
"env": {
"BAR_ASSISTANT_URL": "https://your-instance.com/bar",
"BAR_ASSISTANT_TOKEN": "your-api-token",
"BAR_ASSISTANT_BAR_ID": "1"
}
}
}
}
```
### For Claude Desktop
Edit `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` (macOS):
```jsonc
{
"mcpServers": {
"bar-assistant": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/bar-assistant-mcp-server/dist/src/bar-assistant-mcp-server.js"],
"env": {
"BAR_ASSISTANT_URL": "https://your-instance.com/bar",
"BAR_ASSISTANT_TOKEN": "your-api-token",
"BAR_ASSISTANT_BAR_ID": "1"
}
}
}
}
```
**Important:** Use the absolute path to the compiled server file.
## Step 5: Try It Out!
Once configured, try these example queries with your MCP client:
- *"Show me cocktails similar to a Negroni"*
- *"How do I make a Manhattan?"*
- *"What cocktails can I make with gin and vermouth?"*
- *"Find me some bitter cocktails"*
## Troubleshooting
### Tests fail with authentication error
- Double-check your `BAR_ASSISTANT_URL` ends with `/bar`
- Verify your API token is correct and hasn't expired
- Ensure your Bar Assistant instance is accessible
### "Cannot find module" errors
```bash
# Rebuild the project
rm -rf dist
npm run build
```
### MCP client can't connect
1. Verify the path to `dist/src/bar-assistant-mcp-server.js` is correct
2. Check environment variables are set in the MCP config
3. Restart your MCP client application
## Next Steps
- Read the full [README.md](README.md) for detailed features
- Explore the available tools and their parameters
## Need Help?
- Check the [README.md](README.md) for detailed documentation
- Review test examples in `test/run-tests.ts`
---
You're all set! π Start exploring cocktails with natural language queries!