mcp-for-beginners Agent Skills & AI Rules

# AGENTS.md

## Project Overview

**MCP for Beginners** is an open-source educational curriculum for learning the Model Context Protocol (MCP) - a standardized framework for interactions between AI models and client applications. This repository provides comprehensive learning materials with hands-on code examples across multiple programming languages.

### Key Technologies

- **Programming Languages**: C#, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Rust
- **Frameworks & SDKs**: 
  - MCP SDK (`@modelcontextprotocol/sdk`)
  - Spring Boot (Java)
  - FastMCP (Python)
  - LangChain4j (Java)
- **Databases**: PostgreSQL with pgvector extension
- **Cloud Platforms**: Azure (Container Apps, OpenAI, Content Safety, Application Insights)
- **Build Tools**: npm, Maven, pip, Cargo
- **Documentation**: Markdown with automated multi-language translation (48+ languages)

### Architecture

- **11 Core Modules (00-11)**: Sequential learning path from fundamentals to advanced topics
- **Hands-on Labs**: Practical exercises with complete solution code in multiple languages
- **Sample Projects**: Working MCP server and client implementations
- **Translation System**: Automated GitHub Actions workflow for multi-language support
- **Image Assets**: Centralized images directory with translated versions

## Setup Commands

This is a documentation-focused repository. Most setup occurs within individual sample projects and labs.

### Repository Setup

```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/microsoft/mcp-for-beginners.git
cd mcp-for-beginners
```

### Working with Sample Projects

Sample projects are located in:
- `03-GettingStarted/samples/` - Language-specific examples
- `03-GettingStarted/01-first-server/solution/` - First server implementations
- `03-GettingStarted/02-client/solution/` - Client implementations
- `11-MCPServerHandsOnLabs/` - Comprehensive database integration labs

Each sample project contains its own setup instructions:

#### TypeScript/JavaScript Projects
```bash
cd <project-directory>
npm install
npm start
```

#### Python Projects
```bash
cd <project-directory>
pip install -r requirements.txt
# or
pip install -e .
python main.py
```

#### Java Projects
```bash
cd <project-directory>
mvn clean install
mvn spring-boot:run
```

## Development Workflow

### MCP 7-28 Readiness

#### Repo readiness checklist

- [x] **New contributor clarity**: This file defines repository purpose,
  structure, contribution rules, and sample setup paths.
- [x] **Build/test/lint commands with exact flags**:
  - Repository docs lint:
    `npx --yes markdownlint-cli2 "**/*.md" "#node_modules" "#translations" "#translated_images"`
  - Repository docs link pattern audit:
    `find . -name "*.md" -not -path "*/node_modules/*" -not -path "./translations/*" -not -path "./translated_images/*" -print0 | xargs -0 grep -En "\[.*\]\(.*\)"`
  - TypeScript sample validation:
    `cd 03-GettingStarted/samples/typescript && npm ci && npm test && npm run build`
  - Python sample validation:
    `cd 10-StreamliningAIWorkflowsBuildingAnMCPServerWithAIToolkit/lab3/code/weather_mcp && python -m pip install -e . && pytest -q`
  - Java sample validation:
    `cd 03-GettingStarted/samples/java/calculator && mvn -B -ntp test verify`
- [x] **One realistic workflow that can become an MCP tool**:
  `validate_curriculum_change`
- [x] **Inputs/outputs are explicit** (see specification below).
- [x] **Permissions and failure modes are documented** (see specification below).
- [x] **CI testability is explicit** (deterministic commands, explicit
  exit codes, and machine-readable outputs).

#### Candidate MCP tool workflow: `validate_curriculum_change`

##### Goal

Validate curriculum documentation changes and representative sample code
health before merge.

##### Inputs

- `changed_paths: string[]` (required) - relative paths changed in PR.
- `run_docs_lint: boolean` (default `true`)
- `run_links_audit: boolean` (default `true`)
- `run_samples: { typescript?: boolean, python?: boolean, java?: boolean }`
  (default all `false`)

##### Outputs

- `status: "ok" | "failed"`
- `checks: Array<{ name: string, command: string, exit_code: number,
  summary: string }>`
- `artifacts: Array<{ type: "log" | "report", path: string }>`
- `failed_checks: string[]`

##### Permissions

- Read workspace files and write tool-generated artifacts (e.g., lint
  reports, test logs) only; no writes to `translations/` or
  `translated_images/`.
- Execute local shell commands.
- Optional network access only for package restore (`npm ci`,
  `python -m pip install`, `mvn` dependency resolution).
- No permission to push, merge, or modify `translations/` or
  `translated_images/`.

##### Failure modes

- `E_NO_INPUT_PATHS`: `changed_paths` empty.
- `E_INVALID_PATH`: input path escapes repository root.
- `E_LINT_FAILED`: markdown lint exits non-zero.
- `E_LINK_AUDIT_FAILED`: link audit command exits non-zero.
- `E_SAMPLE_TEST_FAILED`: sample test/build exits non-zero.
- `E_TIMEOUT`: command exceeded configured timeout.

##### Recommended CI contract

To automate validation, configure a CI job that:

- Triggers on pull requests touching `*.md`, sample code, or this file.
- Runs the exact commands listed above.
- Persists logs as artifacts.
- Fails the job on any non-zero exit code.

#### If you ship an MCP server from this repo

- [ ] Read the final MCP `2026-07-28` changelog:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/changelog>
- [ ] Verify that the selected SDK release supports MCP `2026-07-28`:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/sdk>
- [ ] Remove session and handshake assumptions; treat each request as
  self-contained:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/lifecycle>
- [ ] Send `Mcp-Method` and `Mcp-Name` headers for raw HTTP requests:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/transports/streamable-http>
- [ ] Audit hardcoded error codes (`missing resource` moved from `-32002` to `-32602`).
- [ ] Migrate deprecated Roots, Sampling, Logging, and Dynamic Client
  Registration:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/deprecated>
- [ ] Migrate off the experimental `2025-11-25` Tasks API:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/extensions/tasks>
- [ ] Review authorization for OAuth and OpenID Connect hardening:
  <https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/authorization>

### Documentation Structure

- **Modules 00-11**: Core curriculum content in sequential order
- **translations/**: Language-specific versions (auto-generated, do not edit directly)
- **translated_images/**: Localized image versions (auto-generated)
- **images/**: Source images and diagrams

### Making Documentation Changes

1. Edit only the English markdown files in the root module directories (00-11)
2. Update images in the `images/` directory if needed
3. The co-op-translator GitHub Action will automatically generate translations
4. Translations are regenerated on push to main branch

### Working with Translations

- **Automated Translation**: GitHub Actions workflow handles all translations
- **Do NOT manually edit** files in `translations/` directory
- Translation metadata is embedded in each translated file
- Supported languages: 48+ languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and many more

## Testing Instructions

### Documentation Validation

Since this is primarily a documentation repository, testing focuses on:

1. **Link Pattern Audit**: List Markdown links for review

   ```bash
   # List Markdown links (pattern audit)
   find . -name "*.md" -not -path "*/node_modules/*" -not -path "./translations/*" -not -path "./translated_images/*" -print0 | xargs -0 grep -En "\[.*\]\(.*\)"
   ```

2. **Code Sample Validation**: Test that code examples compile/run

   ```bash
   # Navigate to specific sample and run its tests
   cd 03-GettingStarted/samples/typescript
   npm install && npm test
   ```

3. **Markdown Linting**: Check formatting consistency

   ```bash
   # Use markdownlint if needed
   npx --yes markdownlint-cli2 "**/*.md" "#node_modules" "#translations" "#translated_images"
   ```

### Sample Project Testing

Each language-specific sample includes its own testing approach:

#### TypeScript/JavaScript
```bash
npm test
npm run build
```

#### Python
```bash
pytest
python -m pytest tests/
```

#### Java
```bash
mvn test
mvn verify
```

## Code Style Guidelines

### Documentation Style

- Use clear, beginner-friendly language
- Include code examples in multiple languages where applicable
- Follow markdown best practices:
  - Use ATX-style headers (`#` syntax)
  - Use fenced code blocks with language identifiers
  - Include descriptive alt text for images
  - Keep line lengths reasonable (no hard limit, but be sensible)

### Code Sample Style

#### TypeScript/JavaScript
- Use ES modules (`import`/`export`)
- Follow TypeScript strict mode conventions
- Include type annotations
- Target ES2022

#### Python
- Follow PEP 8 style guidelines
- Use type hints where appropriate
- Include docstrings for functions and classes
- Use modern Python features (3.8+)

#### Java
- Follow Spring Boot conventions
- Use Java 21 features
- Follow standard Maven project structure
- Include Javadoc comments

### File Organization

```
<module-number>-<ModuleName>/
├── README.md              # Main module content
├── samples/               # Code examples (if applicable)
│   ├── typescript/
│   ├── python/
│   ├── java/
│   └── ...
└── solution/              # Complete working solutions
    └── <language>/
```

## Build and Deployment

### Documentation Deployment

The repository uses GitHub Pages or similar for documentation hosting (if applicable). Changes to the main branch trigger:

1. Translation workflow (`.github/workflows/co-op-translator.yml`)
2. Automated translation of all English markdown files
3. Image localization as needed

### No Build Process Required

This repository primarily contains markdown documentation. No compilation or build step is needed for the core curriculum content.

### Sample Project Deployment

Individual sample projects may have deployment instructions:
- See `03-GettingStarted/09-deployment/` for MCP server deployment guidance
- Azure Container Apps deployment examples in `11-MCPServerHandsOnLabs/`

## Contributing Guidelines

### Pull Request Process

1. **Fork and Clone**: Fork the repository and clone your fork locally
2. **Create a Branch**: Use descriptive branch names (e.g., `fix/typo-module-3`, `add/python-example`)
3. **Make Changes**: Edit English markdown files only (not translations)
4. **Test Locally**: Verify markdown renders correctly
5. **Submit PR**: Use clear PR titles and descriptions
6. **CLA**: Sign the Microsoft Contributor License Agreement when prompted

### PR Title Format

Use clear, descriptive titles:
- `[Module XX] Brief description` for module-specific changes
- `[Samples] Description` for sample code changes
- `[Docs] Description` for general documentation updates

### What to Contribute

- Bug fixes in documentation or code samples
- New code examples in additional languages
- Clarifications and improvements to existing content
- New case studies or practical examples
- Issue reports for unclear or incorrect content

### What NOT to Do

- Do not directly edit files in `translations/` directory
- Do not edit `translated_images/` directory
- Do not add large binary files without discussion
- Do not change translation workflow files without coordination

## Additional Notes

### Repository Maintenance

- **Changelog**: All significant changes are documented in `changelog.md`
- **Study Guide**: Use `study_guide.md` for curriculum navigation overview
- **Issue Templates**: Use GitHub issue templates for bug reports and feature requests
- **Code of Conduct**: All contributors must follow the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct

### Learning Path

Follow modules in sequential order (00-11) for optimal learning:
1. **00-02**: Fundamentals (Introduction, Core Concepts, Security)
2. **03**: Getting Started with hands-on implementation
3. **04-05**: Practical implementation and advanced topics
4. **06-10**: Community, best practices, and real-world applications
5. **11**: Comprehensive database integration labs (13 sequential labs)

### Support Resources

- **Documentation**: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/
- **Specification**: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/
- **Community**: https://github.com/orgs/modelcontextprotocol/discussions
- **Discord**: Microsoft Foundry Discord server
- **Related Courses**: See README.md for other Microsoft learning paths

### Common Troubleshooting

**Q: My PR is failing the translation check**
A: Ensure you only edited English markdown files in the root module directories, not translated versions.

**Q: How do I add a new language?**
A: Language support is managed through the co-op-translator workflow. Open an issue to discuss adding new languages.

**Q: Code samples aren't working**
A: Ensure you've followed the setup instructions in the specific sample's README. Check that you have the correct versions of dependencies installed.

**Q: Images aren't displaying**
A: Verify image paths are relative and use forward slashes. Images should be in the `images/` directory or `translated_images/` for localized versions.

### Performance Considerations

- Translation workflow may take several minutes to complete
- Large images should be optimized before committing
- Keep individual markdown files focused and reasonably sized
- Use relative links for better portability

### Project Governance

This project follows Microsoft open source practices:
- MIT License for code and documentation
- Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct
- CLA required for contributions
- Security issues: Follow SECURITY.md guidelines
- Support: See SUPPORT.md for help resources