Skip to content

MCP-to-AI-SDK

Overview

The MCP-to-AI-SDK is a library developed by Vercel that enables introspection and inlining of MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers. This tool bridges the gap between dynamic MCP server capabilities and static tool definitions required by many AI applications.

Key Features

MCP Server Introspection

  • Dynamic Discovery: Automatically introspects MCP server capabilities and available tools
  • Tool Definition Extraction: Converts dynamic MCP tool definitions into static contracts
  • Schema Analysis: Analyzes input/output schemas for comprehensive tool understanding

Static Tool Generation

  • AI SDK Compatibility: Generates tool definitions compatible with Vercel's AI SDK
  • Type Safety: Maintains type safety across the conversion process
  • Contract Enforcement: Enables strict tool contracts for improved reliability

Integration Benefits

  • Simplified Development: Reduces complexity of MCP server integration
  • Better Control: Provides granular control over which tools are available
  • Performance Optimization: Static definitions can improve application performance
  • Development Experience: Easier modification and customization of available tool sets

Technical Architecture

Conversion Process

  1. Server Connection: Establishes connection to target MCP server
  2. Capability Discovery: Introspects available tools and their definitions
  3. Schema Transformation: Converts MCP schemas to AI SDK compatible formats
  4. Static Generation: Produces static tool definitions for application use

Wrapper Approach

  • Preserved Functionality: Actual MCP calls are still made to the original server
  • Static Interface: Application sees static tool definitions
  • Runtime Bridge: Library handles translation between static calls and dynamic MCP communication

Use Cases

Application Integration

  • Notion Integration: Successfully tested with official Notion MCP server
  • Third-Party Services: Enables easier integration of external MCP servers
  • Custom Applications: Facilitates building applications around existing MCP infrastructure

Development Workflows

  • Caret Enhancement: Potential for future Caret application iterations
  • Remote Server Access: Inline integration of official remote MCP servers
  • Tool Customization: Easier modification of available tool sets for specific use cases

Implementation Example

The library has been successfully demonstrated with the Notion MCP server, showing practical utility for real-world integrations. The conversion process maintains full MCP functionality while providing the benefits of static tool definitions.

Benefits Over Direct MCP Integration

Developer Experience

  • Reduced Complexity: Simplified integration process
  • Better Tooling: Static definitions enable better IDE support and tooling
  • Easier Testing: Static contracts facilitate testing and validation

Application Performance

  • Startup Time: Faster application initialization with pre-defined tools
  • Type Checking: Compile-time type checking for tool usage
  • Error Prevention: Static contracts help prevent runtime errors

Operational Benefits

  • Deployment Simplicity: Reduced runtime dependencies
  • Configuration Management: Easier management of available tool sets
  • Version Control: Tool definitions can be version controlled and tracked

Community Reception

The library addresses a recognized need in the MCP ecosystem, providing a practical solution for developers who need the benefits of MCP servers with the reliability and performance of static tool definitions.

  • AI SDK v5: Compatible framework for AI application development
  • Claude Code: MCP-enabled development environment

Resources

The MCP-to-AI-SDK represents an important evolution in MCP tooling, making the protocol more accessible for mainstream application development while preserving its core benefits.