How to Use Cline MCP Server

This guide explains how to use MCP servers with Cline to enhance your AI development workflow.

Overview

Cline is a powerful AI-first terminal that implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP), enabling seamless integration between LLMs and external tools or data sources. MCP servers act as intermediaries that expose functionalities to LLMs, allowing them to interact with various systems and services.

Key Concepts

1. MCP Architecture

   • MCP Hosts: Discover and load server capabilities
   • Tools: Executable functions for LLMs
   • Resources: Provide access to read-only data
   • Security: Isolated credentials with user approval

2. Server Types

   • Pre-built servers from GitHub
   • Customized existing servers
   • Custom-built servers for specific needs

Use Cases

Web Services Integration

// Example: GitHub integration
<use_mcp_tool>
<server_name>github</server_name>
<tool_name>create_issue</tool_name>
<arguments>
{
  "repo": "owner/repo",
  "title": "Bug Report",
  "body": "Description of the issue",
  "labels": ["bug", "priority"]
}
</arguments>
</use_mcp_tool>

Database Operations

// Example: Database query
<use_mcp_tool>
<server_name>database</server_name>
<tool_name>query</tool_name>
<arguments>
{
  "query": "SELECT * FROM sales WHERE date >= ?",
  "params": ["2024-01-01"],
  "format": "json"
}
</arguments>
</use_mcp_tool>

Project Management

// Example: Jira integration
<use_mcp_tool>
<server_name>jira</server_name>
<tool_name>create_task</tool_name>
<arguments>
{
  "project": "PROJ",
  "type": "Task",
  "summary": "Implement new feature",
  "description": "Detailed task description"
}
</arguments>
</use_mcp_tool>

Integration Features

1. Natural Language Understanding

   • Describe server functionality in plain language
   • AI interprets and generates necessary code
   • Context-aware tool suggestions

2. Server Management

   • Automatic server cloning from GitHub
   • Dependency management
   • Configuration handling
   • Environment setup

3. Tool Execution

   • Seamless tool integration
   • Context-aware interactions
   • Dynamic tool combinations
   • Real-time execution feedback

Security Best Practices

1. Authentication

   • Use secure authentication methods
   • Implement token-based access
   • Regular credential rotation
   • Audit authentication logs

2. Data Protection

   • Environment variable usage
   • Secure credential storage
   • Input validation
   • Output sanitization

3. Access Control

   • User authorization
   • Permission management
   • Rate limiting
   • Activity monitoring

Server Development

Building Custom Servers

// Example: Basic MCP server structure
import { createServer } from '@mcp/core';

const server = createServer({
  name: 'custom-server',
  version: '1.0.0',
  tools: [
    {
      name: 'example_tool',
      description: 'Example tool implementation',
      parameters: {
        param1: { type: 'string', description: 'First parameter' },
        param2: { type: 'number', description: 'Second parameter' },
      },
      execute: async (params) => {
        // Tool implementation
        return { result: 'Success' };
      },
    },
  ],
});

Debugging Tools

# Enable debug logging
export DEBUG=mcp:*
cline start-server --debug

# Monitor server logs
tail -f ~/.cline/logs/mcp-server.log

# Test tool execution
cline test-tool custom-server example_tool

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Server Connection

   • Check server status
   • Verify network connectivity
   • Validate configuration
   • Review error logs

2. Tool Execution

   • Verify parameters
   • Check permissions
   • Monitor timeouts
   • Review response formats

3. Development Issues

   • Debug mode activation
   • Log analysis
   • Version compatibility
   • Dependency checks