MCP Time Server: Real-Time Data Integration for AI Applications

Overview: What is MCP Time Server?

The MCP Time Server is an essential component of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) infrastructure, designed to provide real-time date and time functionalities to AI applications such as Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and other MCP clients. By implementing a standardized protocol, this server ensures seamless integration between these applications and data sources or tools that require accurate time information.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

getCurrentTime Command

The getCurrentTime command is central to the core functionality of the MCP Time Server. It returns the current time in an ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss), enabling users and developers to access precise date and time values as needed.

API Specification

{
  "method": "getCurrentTime",
  "parameters": [],
  "returns": {
    "time": "2024-02-08 11:04:33",
    "success": true
  },
  "examples": [
    {
      "request": {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "method": "getCurrentTime"
      },
      "response": {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "result": {
          "time": "2024-02-08 11:04:33",
          "success": true
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

getTimeDifference Command

The getTimeDifference command further expands the capabilities of the server, allowing for the calculation of time differences between given timestamps and the current time. This feature is crucial in various AI applications requiring temporal analysis.

API Specification

{
  "method": "getTimeDifference",
  "parameters": [
    {
      "name": "timestamp",
      "description": "ISO format timestamp (YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss)",
      "required": true
    },
    {
      "name": "interval",
      "description": "Optional, default 'minutes', options are 'minutes' or 'seconds'",
      "default": "minutes"
    }
  ],
  "returns": {
    "difference": -30,
    "interval": "minutes",
    "inputTimestamp": "2024-02-08 12:30:00",
    "currentTime": "2024-02-08 13:00:00"
  },
  "examples": [
    {
      "request": {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "method": "getTimeDifference",
        "params": {
          "timestamp": "2024-02-08 12:30:00",
          "interval": "minutes"
        }
      },
      "response": {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "result": {
          "difference": -30,
          "interval": "minutes",
          "inputTimestamp": "2024-02-08 12:30:00",
          "currentTime": "2024-02-08 13:00:00"
        }
      },
      "request2": {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "method": "getTimeDifference",
        "params": {
          "timestamp": "2024-02-08 13:45:00",
          "interval": "minutes"
        }
      },
      "response2": {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "result": {
          "difference": 45,
          "interval": "minutes",
          "inputTimestamp": "2024-02-08 13:45:00",
          "currentTime": "2024-02-08 13:00:00"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

MCP Protocol Flow Diagram

The MCP protocol flow ensures that data is transmitted securely and efficiently between the AI applications, MCP clients, and the server. The following diagram illustrates this interaction:

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 matrix ensures that the MCP Time Server works seamlessly with various MCP clients. The following table details the supported clients:

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

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To install and use the MCP Time Server, follow these steps:

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/dandeliongold/mcp-time.git
   

2. Install Dependencies:

   npm install
   

3. Run Tests to Ensure Everything Is Working Correctly:

   npm test
   

4. Start the Development Server:

   npm run dev
   

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Use Case 1: Real-Time Data Aggregation

The MCP Time Server can be integrated into a complex data processing system, where real-time date and time information is crucial for aggregating data from various sources. This use case showcases how the server provides accurate timestamps to ensure that all data points are aligned correctly.

// Example Implementation in AI Application Code
const { getCurrentTime } = require('@dandeliongold/mcp-time');

async function processData() {
  const currentTime = await getCurrentTime();
  // Use 'currentTime' for processing latest data points.
}

Use Case 2: Event Scheduling and Notifications

In scheduling applications, accurate time information is essential for setting up events and sending notifications. The getTimeDifference method can be used to calculate the time difference between the scheduled event time and the current server time.

// Example Implementation in AI Application Code
const { getTimeDifference } = require('@dandeliongold/mcp-time');

async function scheduleEvent() {
  const timestamp = '2024-02-15T16:30:00';
  const interval = 'minutes';
  const timeDifference = await getTimeDifference(timestamp, interval);
  console.log(`Time to event in ${timeDifference} minutes`);
}

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The MCP Time Server's simple JSON-RPC interface ensures compatibility with various AI applications that support the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Developers can easily integrate this server into their applications by following the provided configuration example.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "time": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@dandeliongold/mcp-time"
      ]
    }
  }
}

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The performance and compatibility of the MCP Time Server are paramount, ensuring that it can handle various use cases while maintaining robustness across different platforms.

Performance

• Response Time: Sub-second response times.
• Scalability: Designed for high concurrent requests.

Compatibility

• Cross-Platform Support: Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS.
• MCP Compliant: Fully MCP compliant, ensuring seamless integration with all MCP clients.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

To ensure the security of communication between the AI application and the MCP Time Server, secure communication channels are established. Developers can configure additional environment variables to enhance security.

{
  "env": {
    "API_KEY": "your-api-key",
    "SECURITY_TOKEN": "token_value"
  }
}

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does the getCurrentTime command work?

The getCurrentTime command returns the current time in ISO format, which can be used to sync with other timestamped data.

Q2: Can I use both minutes and seconds intervals in the getTimeDifference method?

Yes, you can specify either 'minutes' or 'seconds' as the interval. The server will return a signed difference value based on the selected interval.

Q3: Why isn't Cursor fully supported by this MCP Time Server?

Cursor does not support all MCP client features; therefore, it only supports tool integration and not resource management.

Q4: How frequently should I update the server to maintain compatibility with new MCP clients?

It is recommended to stay updated by checking for version updates regularly. The repository should provide clear guidelines on how often to refresh your installation.

Q5: Can multiple AI applications connect to this single time server simultaneously?

Yes, multiple AI applications can connect and use this time server concurrently without performance degradation or conflicts.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome from the broader developer community. To contribute, please:

1. Fork the Repository on GitHub.
2. Create a New Branch: Use git checkout -b feature-branch-name.
3. Commit Changes: Use meaningful commit messages.
4. Run Tests: Ensure all tests pass using npm test.

Once your changes are ready, submit a pull request for review.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) ecosystem comprises various components and tools designed to enhance AI application development. For more information and resources related to MCP and its clients, visit the official Model Context Protocol documentation and community forums.

Mermaid Diagram: Performance Matrix

graph TD
    A[Sub-second Response Time] -->|High Concurrency | B[Scalable]

This completes the comprehensive technical documentation for the MCP Time Server. This guide ensures that developers understand the server's capabilities, integration process, and real-world use cases, positioning it as a vital component in AI application development.