MCPSharp MCP Server: Model Context Protocol Implementation

Overview: What is MCPSharp MCP Server?

MCPSharp is a .NET library designed to facilitate the creation of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and clients. MCP servers enable standardization in AI application integration, similar to how USB-C connects various devices with a universal interface. MCPSharp simplifies this process by providing developers with easy-to-use attributes and methods for exposing their tools and resources as API endpoints.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

MCPSharp provides several core features that make it an invaluable tool for AI application integration:

Tool Exposition: Developers can easily create tools that AI assistants like Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, etc., can discover and utilize.
Client Support: MCPSharp includes a client library to connect directly to existing MCP servers using C# code.
Endpoint Decoration: Tools can be marked as endpoints with attributes such as [McpTool] for easy decoration in .NET applications.
JSON-RPC Handling: Automatic handling of JSON-RPC requests and responses for seamless communication between MCP clients and servers.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of MCPSharp is designed to adhere closely to the Model Context Protocol (MCP) standards, ensuring seamless integration with various AI applications. The protocol implementation involves several key components:

MCPTool Attribute: Marks a class or method as an MCP tool.
McpParameter Attribute: Provides metadata for function parameters.
McpResource Attribute: Marks properties or methods as MCP resources.

Protocol Flow Diagram

Here is a Mermaid diagram outlining the protocol flow and data architecture of an MCP server:

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

MCP Client Compatibility Matrix

The compatibility of MCPSharp with various AI applications is as follows:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To get started, you can install MCPSharp via NuGet. Add the following line to your project file:

dotnet add package MCPSharp

Quick Start Guide

Define a Tool: Classify methods as tools using attributes.

using MCPSharp;

public class Calculator
{
    [McpTool("add", "Adds two numbers")]
    public static int Add([McpParameter(true)] int a, [McpParameter(true)] int b)
    {
        return a + b;
    }
}

Start the Server: Initialize and start the MCP server.

await MCPServer.StartAsync("CalculatorServer", "1.0.0");

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Use Case 1: Financial Analysis Tool Integration

Suppose you are developing a financial analysis tool that needs to integrate with AI applications like Continue for real-time data access and processing. You can expose your tool as an MCP server, making it available to the AI application without modifying its existing codebase.

[KernelFunction("financialAnalysis")]
public string AnalyzeData(string input) => $"Processed: {input}";

Use Case 2: Custom Prompt Generation for Creative Writing

You can create a custom prompt generation tool that helps writers by providing creative prompts. This tool will be accessible through MCPSharp, allowing AI applications like Claude Desktop to utilize it seamlessly.

[KernelFunction("createPrompt")]
public string GeneratePrompt(string topic) => $"Here's your prompt: {topic}";

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

MCPSharp allows seamless integration with various MCP clients. For example, you can plug in an AI application via its client library to access the tools and resources exposed by your server.

// Client-side integration
MCPClient client = new("AIClient", "1.0", "path/to/mcp/server");
IList<AIFunction> functions = await client.GetFunctionsAsync();

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

MCPSharp is designed to be compatible with multiple MCP clients while ensuring optimal performance:

Performance: Optimized for low-latency JSON-RPC communication.
Compatibility: Compatible with major AI applications and tools.

Real-time Calculation Tool Example

Let's consider a real-world example where we create an instant calculation tool using MCPSharp, which can be consumed by any MCP client.

public class Calculator
{
    [McpTool("add", "Add two numbers")]
    public static int Add([McpParameter(true)] int x, [McpParameter(true)] int y)
    {
        return x + y;
    }
}

await MCPServer.StartAsync("CalculatorToolServer", "1.0.0");

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

MCP Server Configuration

You can configure your MCP server by setting environment variables or specifying command-line arguments.

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

Security Best Practices

API Key Management: Ensure secure storage and management of API keys.
Authentication & Authorization: Implement role-based access control to restrict access to sensitive tools.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I install MCPSharp? A: Install via NuGet using the command dotnet add package MCPSharp.
Q: Can I use MCPSharp with Microsoft.Extensions.AI and Semantic Kernel? A: Yes, MCPSharp now integrates seamlessly with both.
Q: Is MCPSharp compatible with all AI applications? A: While compatibility is broad, specific clients may have limitations (refer to the matrix).
Q: How do I start implementing an MCP client in my application? A: You can easily integrate by creating a new instance of MCPClient and calling its methods.
Q: What are some best practices for securing MCP servers? A: Use secure API keys, implement authentication & authorization mechanisms.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

To contribute to MCPSharp:

Clone the Repository: Clone the repository from GitHub.
Install Dependencies: Run dotnet restore to install project dependencies.
Build and Test: Use dotnet build followed by tests using dotnet test.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

Join the MCP ecosystem by exploring additional resources:

This comprehensive documentation positions MCPSharp as a powerful tool for developers looking to integrate AI applications with ease, ensuring robust compatibility and seamless communication through the Model Context Protocol.

MCPSharp