MCP Server: Testing Library for Model Context Protocol

Overview: What is MCP Server?

The mcp-testing-kit is a core testing library designed to facilitate the development and testing of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. It aims to bridge the gap between developers' needs and the complexity involved in creating reliable AI applications that interact with various data sources and tools through standardized protocols. By utilizing mcp-testing-kit, developers can ensure their MCP servers behave as expected within a range of scenarios, making integration processes smoother for end-users.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

mcp-testing-kit is built to be highly flexible and modular, allowing seamless integration with different testing frameworks such as vitest and jest. This component is lightweight yet packed with essential utilities that simplify the process of testing MCP servers. It offers a range of functionalities including:

• Tool Registration: Easily register tools with descriptions for both users and internal references.
• Client Interaction: Connect to an MCP server instance and interact via a client API, enabling calls and notifications.
• Resource Management: List and manage resources on the server, ensuring that all required data sources are available during tests.
• Notification Handling: Register callbacks for real-time updates from the server in the form of JSON-RPC messages.

These features make mcp-testing-kit an indispensable tool for anyone looking to thoroughly test their MCP servers before deployment. Whether you're working on a simple addition function or complex workflows, this library ensures that your AI applications are robust and reliable.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of the MCP server is designed around a clear separation between core components:

• MCP Client: The client acts as an adapter between the application and the server. It translates high-level commands from the user into structured data that can be processed by the server.

• MCP Server: Houses the logic for processing requests, handling resources, and providing tools to the client.

• Data Source/Tool Integration: Facilitates communication with external tools and data sources, ensuring seamless integration and efficient information exchange.

The protocol implementation leverages JSON-RPC for bidirectional communication. This ensures that messages are well-defined and structured, improving the reliability of interactions between clients and servers.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To get started with mcp-testing-kit, install it via npm:

$ npm i -D mcp-testing-kit

Once installed, you can start utilizing its functionalities within your test scenarios. The library supports various testing frameworks, so choose the one that best fits your workflow.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Use Case 1: Real-Time Data Processing

Imagine an AI application that requires real-time data processing for financial analysis. By integrating with mcp-testing-kit, you can simulate interactions between the client and server under different scenarios, ensuring that real-time updates are handled correctly.

// Example implementation
import { connect, callTool } from "mcp-testing-kit";

const client = await connect(server);
await callTool("financial-analyzer", { data: "latest-market-trends" });

Use Case 2: Custom Tool Development

Developing custom tools for specific domain applications is another critical use case. The toolkit allows you to register and test these tools within your AI workflow, ensuring they function correctly under various conditions.

// Register a new tool
server.tool("analyze-trends", "Analyze market trends");

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

Not all MCP clients are created equal. Our compatibility matrix highlights which clients fully support the suite of functionalities provided by mcp-testing-kit:

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

This ensures that users can rely on mcp-testing-kit for compatibility across a wide range of platforms.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

Performance and compatibility play crucial roles in the success of any MCP server. The following matrix provides an overview:

Feature	Resource Handling	Tool Execution	Prompt Resolution
Compatibility	✅	✅	✅
Timelines	Real-time	Efficient	Fast

These metrics are essential for ensuring that your AI applications operate smoothly and efficiently.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

For advanced configurations, you can use the mcp-testing-kit to fine-tune server settings. The following configuration sample demonstrates how to set up an MCP server with environment variables:

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

Security is also a key aspect. By leveraging environment variables, you can protect sensitive information and ensure that your server functions securely.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use mcp-testing-kit with other testing frameworks besides vitest?

A1: Yes, mcp-testing-kit supports multiple testing frameworks such as vitest and jest, making it flexible for different development environments.

Q2: How does mcp-testing-kit ensure data privacy during interactions between clients and servers?

A2: By utilizing secure communication channels and environment variables, mcp-testing-kit guarantees that sensitive data is handled securely throughout all interactions.

Q3: Is there a limit to the number of tools I can register using mcp-testing-kit?

A3: There are no explicit limits within the library itself. However, performance and scalability considerations should be taken into account for very large-scale applications.

Q4: Can I test custom prompts along with tools in my tests?

A4: Absolutely! The testing kit includes all necessary methods to handle both tools and prompts, ensuring comprehensive coverage during development.

Q5: How do I handle notifications from the server dynamically using mcp-testing-kit?

A5: You can register callbacks for notifications using the onNotification method. These callbacks will be triggered whenever a notification is received from the server.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are essential to the growth of any open-source project, and we welcome everyone to get involved! To contribute:

1. Clone the repository.
2. Run tests using your favorite testing framework.
3. Propose changes through Pull Requests (PRs).

For more details, refer to our contributing guidelines.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

The Model Context Protocol has a rich ecosystem of resources and community support. Join forums and documentation to learn more about how you can integrate mcp-testing-kit into your development workflow.

By leveraging mcp-testing-kit, developers can create reliable and efficient AI applications that seamlessly interact with various data sources and tools, thanks to the standardized protocol and comprehensive testing capabilities offered by this library.