> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.arclio.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MCP Chatbot

> Frontend interface for utilizing MCP contexts and tools

## Overview

MCP Chatbot is the frontend interface component that integrates with MCP Hub to provide an interactive chat experience. It allows users to interact with configured tools and resources through a user-friendly interface.

## Features

* Chat interface for AI interactions
* File upload and handling
* Tool integration
* Resource management
* Custom UI components

## Installation

### Prerequisites

* Node.js 14+
* Running MCP Hub instance
* (Optional) MCP Enterprise for administration

### Setup Steps

1. **Clone the Repository**

```bash theme={null}
git clone <mcp-chatbot-repo>
cd mcp-chatbot
```

2. **Install Dependencies**

```bash theme={null}
npm install
```

3. **Configure MCP Servers**

```bash theme={null}
# Copy example configuration
cp config/mcp.example.json config/mcp.json
```

4. **Edit Configuration**

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "<YOUR_BRAVE_API_KEY>"
      }
    },
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/allowed/path1",
        "/allowed/path2"
      ]
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "gh_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

5. **Start the Development Server**

```bash theme={null}
npm run dev
```

The chatbot interface will be available at `http://localhost:3050`.

## Configuration Options

### Environment Variables

```bash theme={null}
# Server Configuration
PORT=3050
HOST=localhost

# MCP Hub Integration
MCP_HUB_URL=http://localhost:3000

# Authentication (if using MCP Enterprise)
AUTH_ENABLED=true
AUTH_SERVER=http://localhost:5199
```

### Server Configuration

Configure different MCP servers in `config/mcp.json`:

1. **File System Server**

```json theme={null}
{
  "filesystem": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
      "-y",
      "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
      "/allowed/path1"
    ]
  }
}
```

2. **Search Server**

```json theme={null}
{
  "brave-search": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"],
    "env": {
      "BRAVE_API_KEY": "<YOUR_API_KEY>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Components

### Chat Interface

The main chat interface (`ChatUI.vue`) provides:

* Message history
* Input area
* Tool selection
* File upload
* Response formatting

```vue theme={null}
<template>
  <div class="chat-container">
    <MessageHistory :messages="messages" />
    <ToolsPanel :tools="availableTools" />
    <FileUpload @upload="handleFileUpload" />
    <InputArea @send="sendMessage" />
  </div>
</template>
```

### File Handling

File upload component (`FileUploadZone.vue`):

* Drag and drop support
* Multiple file upload
* Progress tracking
* File type validation

### Resource Management

Resource modal (`ResourcesModal.vue`):

* List available resources
* Resource selection
* Resource metadata
* Access controls

## Integration with MCP Hub

### Initializing Connection

```typescript theme={null}
import { MCPClient } from '@/plugins/mcp'

const client = new MCPClient({
  baseURL: process.env.MCP_HUB_URL,
  tools: ['filesystem', 'brave-search']
})

// Initialize session
await client.init()
```

### Using Tools

```typescript theme={null}
// File operations
await client.tools.filesystem.writeFile(path, content)
const data = await client.tools.filesystem.readFile(path)

// Search operations
const results = await client.tools.search.query(searchTerm)
```

## Security

### Authentication

When using with MCP Enterprise:

```typescript theme={null}
// Configure auth plugin
export default defineNuxtConfig({
  modules: ['@/plugins/auth'],
  auth: {
    server: process.env.AUTH_SERVER,
    endpoints: {
      login: '/api/auth/login',
      logout: '/api/auth/logout'
    }
  }
})
```

### File Security

* File type validation
* Size limits
* Path validation
* Sanitization

## Customization

### Styling

The chatbot uses Tailwind CSS for styling:

```bash theme={null}
# Tailwind configuration
npm install -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init
```

### Custom Components

Create custom components in the components directory:

```vue theme={null}
<!-- Custom Tool Component -->
<template>
  <div class="tool-component">
    <slot name="icon"></slot>
    <slot name="content"></slot>
  </div>
</template>
```

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

1. **Connection Errors**
   * Verify MCP Hub is running
   * Check configuration URLs
   * Validate API keys

2. **File Upload Issues**
   * Check file permissions
   * Verify allowed file types
   * Check size limits

3. **Tool Integration**
   * Verify tool configuration
   * Check environment variables
   * Review server logs

## Deployment

### Production Build

```bash theme={null}
# Build for production
npm run build

# Start production server
npm run start
```

### Docker Deployment

```dockerfile theme={null}
FROM node:16-alpine

WORKDIR /app
COPY . .

RUN npm install
RUN npm run build

ENV PORT=3050
EXPOSE 3050

CMD ["npm", "start"]
```

## Best Practices

1. **Error Handling**
   * Implement proper error boundaries
   * Provide user feedback
   * Log errors appropriately

2. **Performance**
   * Optimize file uploads
   * Implement caching
   * Lazy load components

3. **Security**
   * Validate all inputs
   * Sanitize file paths
   * Implement rate limiting