MCP Go SDK: A Comprehensive Integration Platform for AI Applications

Overview: What is MCP Go SDK?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) Go SDK provides an essential toolset for building robust, scalable, and interoperable AI applications that can connect to various data sources and tools through a standardized protocol. Similar to how USB-C enables different devices to exchange data, the MCP Go SDK allows developers to integrate their AI applications with multiple clients like Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and others, ensuring seamless interaction across diverse environments.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The MCP Go SDK is designed with a wide array of capabilities that ensure flexibility and ease of use. Key features include:

Transport Layer

• Multiple Transport Options: Support for different transport protocols such as stdio, Server-Sent Events (SSE), and WebSocket.
• Bidirectional Communication: Enables two-way communication between clients and servers to facilitate real-time interaction.
• Configurable Endpoints and Settings: Tailor the server's behavior through custom endpoints and settings, ensuring seamless integration with various MCP client environments.

Server Implementation

• Tool Registration & Execution: Register and execute tools seamlessly by adding functions that can be called by MCP clients.
• Resource Pattern Matching & Access: Implement resource patterns to manage access control and enable dynamic data retrieval based on client requests.
• Prompt Template Rendering: Use predefined templates for handling prompts, enhancing the user interaction experience.
• Session Management: Manage sessions effectively to maintain context and state between communication instances.
• Reflection-Based Handler Invocation: Leverage reflection to dynamically invoke handlers based on incoming requests.

Core Protocol Types

• JSON-RPC Message Handling: Process JSON-RPC messages for standardizing communication methods.
• MCP-Specific Types: Define custom types like tool, resource, and prompt tailored for the specific requirements of AI applications.
• Capabilities & Initialization: Define server capabilities to support asynchronous operations, enhancing flexibility.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To get started with the MCP Go SDK, simply install it via:

go get github.com/SetiabudiResearch/mcp-go-sdk

This command pulls down the latest version of the SDK into your local Go project.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

File Server Example: Data Retrieval and Management

Imagine a scenario where an AI application needs to fetch files from different sources based on user-defined paths. Here’s how you can implement such functionality using the MCP Go SDK:

package main

import (
    "context"
    "log"
    "github.com/SetiabudiResearch/mcp-go-sdk/pkg/mcp/server"
    "github.com/SetiabudiResearch/mcp-go-sdk/pkg/mcp/transport"
)

func main() {
    // Create a new server named 'File Server'
    srv := server.NewServer("File Server")

    // Define and add a resource to manage file access
    srv.AddResource("files/{path}", func(path string) ([]byte, error) {
        return ioutil.ReadFile(path)
    }, "Handle file retrieval")

    // Start a session with the configured server
    session := server.NewSession(context.Background(), srv)

    // Set up an stdio transport for CLI-based applications
    t := transport.NewStdioTransport(session)

    // Start the transport to enable communication
    if err := t.Start(); err != nil {
        log.Fatal(err)
    }
}

Calculator Application: Synchronous and Asynchronous Operations

Consider another scenario where the AI application needs a calculator service capable of handling both simple arithmetic operations and long-running tasks:

package main

import (
    "context"
    "log"
    "github.com/SetiabudiResearch/mcp-go-sdk/pkg/mcp/server"
    "github.com/SetiabudiResearch/mcp-go-sdk/pkg/mcp/transport"
)

func main() {
    // Create a new server named 'Calculator Server'
    srv := server.NewServer("Calculator Server")

    // Define a synchronous operation
    srv.AddTool("add", func(arg1 string, arg2 int) (string, error) {
        return fmt.Sprintf("%d + %s = %d", 4, arg1, 5), nil
    }, "Addition function description")

    // Add an asynchronous operation
    srv.AddAsyncTool("multiply", func(params string) error {
        // Simulate long-running job
        time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
        return nil
    }, "Multiplication function")

    // Create a session with the server configuration
    session := server.NewSession(context.Background(), srv)

    // Establish WebSocket transport for web-based applications on port 8080
    t := transport.NewWebSocketTransport(session, transport.WithAddress(":8080"))

    // Start the transport to facilitate communication
    if err := t.Start(); err != nil {
        log.Fatal(err)
    }
}

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The MCP Go SDK supports multiple clients and can be seamlessly integrated into environments like Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, etc., as demonstrated in the compatibility matrix below:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅
Continue	✅	✅	✅
Cursor	❌	✅	❌

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The performance and compatibility of the MCP Go SDK are designed to handle a wide range of use cases with robust testing and optimization. Here’s an overview of the current state:

• Performance: TheSDK is optimized for both CPU and I/O intensive tasks, ensuring responsive client-server interactions.
• Compatibility: Compatible across multiple operating systems (Linux, macOS, Windows) and programming languages.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Configuring the MCP Go SDK involves setting up session management, handling capabilities, and managing security.

Example Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exampleServer": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-example"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Detailed configuration files allow for fine-tuning of the server's behavior, ensuring it aligns with specific deployment needs.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: How do I ensure compatibility between my application and different MCP clients?

   • A: The SDK supports a wide range of clients, including Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and others. You can test your implementation against the provided compatibility matrix to ensure broad support.

2. Q: Can I use this SDK with multiple transport protocols simultaneously?

   • A: Yes, the SDK allows integration with multiple transports like stdio, WebSocket, and SSE. You can choose or configure a combination of these based on your application needs.

3. Q: How do I manage security in my MCP-based applications?

   • A: Security is managed through environment variables and transport configurations. Ensure to use secure APIs and handle sensitive information appropriately.

4. Q: What are some common pitfalls when integrating with MCP clients, and how can I avoid them?

   • A: Common challenges include compatibility issues and ensuring proper session management. By thoroughly testing against the client compatibility matrix and following best practices in configuration, you can mitigate these risks.

5. Q: Is this SDK suitable for production environments?

   • A: Yes, the SDK is designed to be both robust and scalable, making it well-suited for use in production environments.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcomed! To contribute, follow these steps:

1. Fork the repository on GitHub.
2. Create a new branch with your feature or bug fix.
3. Write comprehensive tests to ensure stability and functionality.
4. Commit changes, ensuring they align with the coding standards.
5. Submit a Pull Request for review.

Please adhere to the coding guidelines and include detailed documentation if necessary.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

The MCP ecosystem includes various resources and tools designed to help developers build, deploy, and integrate their applications seamlessly:

• API Documentation: Detailed API reference and guides.
• Tutorials & Examples: Step-by-step tutorials with practical examples.
• Community Support: Engage with the community through forums and discussions.

By leveraging the MCP Go SDK, developers can enhance their AI applications' capabilities, ensuring they are robust, interoperable, and ready for integration into a wide range of environments.