BBQ MCP Server

Instructions

Implementation Reference

• src/index.ts:720-749 (handler)

  Inline MCP handler function that processes input parameters, calls helper functions for tips and formatting, supports JSON or markdown output, and handles errors.

  async (params: GetCookingTipsInput) => {
    try {
      const tips = getCookingTips(params.protein_type, params.cook_method, params.current_phase);
  
      if (params.response_format === "json") {
        const output = {
          proteinType: params.protein_type,
          cookMethod: params.cook_method,
          currentPhase: params.current_phase,
          tips,
        };
  
        return {
          content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(output, null, 2) }],
          structuredContent: output,
        };
      }
  
      const markdown = formatTipsMarkdown(tips, params.protein_type);
      return {
        content: [{ type: "text", text: markdown }],
      };
    } catch (error) {
      const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error occurred";
      return {
        isError: true,
        content: [{ type: "text", text: `Error getting cooking tips: ${message}` }],
      };
    }
  }

• src/index.ts:686-750 (registration)

  Registration of the bbq_get_cooking_tips tool with MCP server, including title, description, input schema reference, annotations, and inline handler.

  /**
   * Tool: bbq_get_cooking_tips
   * Get cooking tips for a protein
   */
  server.registerTool(
    "bbq_get_cooking_tips",
    {
      title: "Get Cooking Tips",
      description: `Get cooking tips and best practices for a specific protein and situation.
  
  Args:
    - protein_type: Type of protein
    - cook_method: Specific cooking method (optional)
    - current_phase: Current cooking phase for targeted tips (optional)
      - 'prep': Preparation and seasoning
      - 'cooking': Active cooking
      - 'stall': Temperature stall
      - 'wrapping': Texas crutch / wrapping
      - 'final_push': End of cook
      - 'resting': Rest period
      - 'serving': Slicing and serving
    - response_format: 'markdown' or 'json'
  
  Examples:
    - "Tips for smoking brisket" -> protein_type='beef_brisket', cook_method='smoke_low_slow'
    - "Help with the stall" -> protein_type='beef_brisket', current_phase='stall'`,
      inputSchema: GetCookingTipsSchema,
      annotations: {
        readOnlyHint: true,
        destructiveHint: false,
        idempotentHint: true,
        openWorldHint: false,
      },
    },
    async (params: GetCookingTipsInput) => {
      try {
        const tips = getCookingTips(params.protein_type, params.cook_method, params.current_phase);
  
        if (params.response_format === "json") {
          const output = {
            proteinType: params.protein_type,
            cookMethod: params.cook_method,
            currentPhase: params.current_phase,
            tips,
          };
  
          return {
            content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(output, null, 2) }],
            structuredContent: output,
          };
        }
  
        const markdown = formatTipsMarkdown(tips, params.protein_type);
        return {
          content: [{ type: "text", text: markdown }],
        };
      } catch (error) {
        const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error occurred";
        return {
          isError: true,
          content: [{ type: "text", text: `Error getting cooking tips: ${message}` }],
        };
      }
    }
  );

• src/schemas/index.ts:199-213 (schema)

  Zod schema defining input validation for the tool: protein_type (required), cook_method and current_phase (optional), response_format.

   * Schema for getting cooking tips
   */
  export const GetCookingTipsSchema = z
    .object({
      protein_type: ProteinTypeSchema.describe("Type of protein"),
      cook_method: CookMethodSchema.optional().describe("Specific cooking method for targeted tips"),
      current_phase: z
        .enum(["prep", "cooking", "stall", "wrapping", "final_push", "resting", "serving"])
        .optional()
        .describe("Current phase of the cook for phase-specific tips"),
      response_format: ResponseFormatSchema.describe("Output format"),
    })
    .strict();
  
  export type GetCookingTipsInput = z.infer<typeof GetCookingTipsSchema>;

• src/services/cooking.ts:451-497 (helper)

  Main helper function that retrieves base tips from protein profile, adds method-specific and phase-specific tips, returns array of strings.

   */
  export function getCookingTips(
    proteinType: ProteinType,
    cookMethod?: CookMethod,
    currentPhase?: string
  ): string[] {
    const profile = getProteinProfile(proteinType);
    const tips: string[] = [...profile.tips];
  
    // Add method-specific tips
    if (cookMethod) {
      const methodInfo = COOK_METHOD_INFO[cookMethod];
      tips.push(`For ${methodInfo.displayName}: Cook at ${methodInfo.tempRange}`);
  
      if (cookMethod === "reverse_sear") {
        tips.push("Start at 225°F until 10-15°F below target, then sear at high heat for 1-2 minutes per side.");
      } else if (cookMethod === "spatchcock") {
        tips.push(
          "Remove backbone with kitchen shears, flatten bird for more even cooking and crispier skin."
        );
      }
    }
  
    // Add phase-specific tips
    if (currentPhase) {
      switch (currentPhase) {
        case "prep":
          tips.push("Season liberally - salt enhances flavor and aids bark formation.");
          tips.push("Let meat come to room temperature (30-60 min) for more even cooking.");
          break;
        case "stall":
          tips.push("The stall is caused by evaporative cooling - moisture on the surface keeps temps flat.");
          tips.push("Options: Wrap in butcher paper/foil (Texas crutch) or ride it out.");
          break;
        case "wrapping":
          tips.push("Butcher paper allows some smoke penetration while speeding the cook.");
          tips.push("Foil is faster but can soften the bark.");
          break;
        case "resting":
          tips.push("Don't skip the rest! It allows juices to redistribute.");
          tips.push("Large cuts can rest in a cooler for hours without losing much heat.");
          break;
      }
    }
  
    return tips;
  }

• src/services/formatting.ts:263-274 (helper)

  Helper function that formats the array of tips into a markdown string with header using protein display name.

   */
  export function formatTipsMarkdown(tips: string[], proteinType: ProteinType): string {
    const profile = PROTEIN_PROFILES[proteinType];
  
    let output = `## 💡 Cooking Tips: ${profile.displayName}\n\n`;
  
    for (const tip of tips) {
      output += `- ${tip}\n`;
    }
  
    return output;
  }