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MCP Integration (Optional)

Enhance GuardKit with Model Context Protocol servers for library documentation and design patterns.

Overview

All MCPs are optional - GuardKit works fine without them and falls back gracefully to training data.

MCP Types

Core MCPs (used automatically during /task-work):

  • context7: Library documentation (Phases 2, 3, 4 - automatic when task uses libraries)
  • design-patterns: Pattern recommendations (Phase 2.5A - automatic during architectural review)

Setup Guides

Performance & Optimization

Optimization Status: ✅ All MCPs optimized (4.5-12% context window usage)

Token Budgets

MCP Token Usage When Used
context7 2000-6000 tokens Phase-dependent (when libraries detected)
design-patterns ~5000 tokens Phase 2.5A (architectural review)

MCP Optimization Guide - Detailed usage guidelines.

Benefits

Context7 MCP

Purpose: Provides up-to-date library documentation

Use Cases:

  • New library versions (post-training data cutoff)
  • Obscure libraries not in training data
  • API changes and deprecations

Example:

# Task uses React Query v5 (newer than training data)
/task-work TASK-042

# Context7 automatically provides React Query v5 docs
# Phase 2: Planning with current API
# Phase 3: Implementation with correct patterns

Design Patterns MCP

Purpose: Recommends appropriate design patterns

Use Cases:

  • Architectural review (Phase 2.5A)
  • Pattern selection guidance
  • Anti-pattern detection

Example:

# Task involves state management
/task-work TASK-043

# Design Patterns MCP suggests:
# - Repository Pattern (data access)
# - Observer Pattern (state changes)
# - Singleton Pattern (global state)

Installation

Context7 MCP

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "context7": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@context7/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Design Patterns MCP

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "design-patterns": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/design-patterns-mcp/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Full setup instructions: See individual MCP setup guides linked above.

When to Install MCPs

Install MCPs If:

  • ✅ Using newer library versions frequently
  • ✅ Working with niche libraries
  • ✅ Need pattern recommendations during review

Next Steps