# MCP Server Deep Dive

## Using MCP for Development

### Enhanced Code Generation

With MCP connected, AI tools can generate much more accurate code:

#### Before MCP (Generic AI Response):


```
User: "Create a function to get member data"

AI: "Here's a generic function:
def get_member(member_id):
    response = requests.get(f'/api/members/{member_id}')
    return response.json()"
```

#### After MCP (VBAPI-Aware Response):


```
User: "Create a function to get member data"

AI: "Here's a VBAPI-specific function with proper authentication and error handling:

def get_member(member_id):
    url = f"https://vbapi.vbasoftware.com/vbasoftware/members/{member_id}"
    
    headers = {
        'x-api-key': os.getenv('VBAPI_KEY'),
        'Authorization': f'Bearer {token_manager.get_valid_token()}',
        'vbasoftware-database': os.getenv('VBAPI_DATABASE'),
        'User-Agent': 'MyApp/1.0'
    }
    
    response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
    response.raise_for_status()
    
    return response.json()['data']"
```

### Context-Aware Assistance

#### API Endpoint Discovery


```
User: "What endpoints are available for claim processing?"

AI: "Based on the VBASoftware API, here are the claim-related endpoints:

1. **Claim Batch Operations**:
   - POST /vbasoftware/claim-batch - Create claim header
   - PUT /vbasoftware/claim-batch/{id} - Update claim
   - GET /vbasoftware/claim-batch/{id} - Get claim details

2. **Claim Processing**:
   - POST /vbasoftware/claim-adjudication/adjudicate/{id} - Adjudicate claim
   - POST /vbasoftware/claim-adjudication/process/{id} - Process claim

3. **Claim Search**:
   - POST /vbasoftware/search - Use CLAIM SearchConfig

Would you like examples for any of these?"
```

#### Schema-Aware Validation


```
User: "What fields are required to create a member?"

AI: "According to the VBASoftware Member schema, these fields are required:

- **memberId** (string): Unique member identifier
- **subscriberId** (string): Associated subscriber ID  
- **firstName** (string): Member's first name
- **lastName** (string): Member's last name
- **dateOfBirth** (string, YYYY-MM-DD): Date of birth
- **gender** (string): M, F, or U
- **relationship** (string): SELF, SPOUSE, CHILD, etc.

Optional fields include socialSecurityNumber, middleName, and address information."
```

## MCP Development Workflows

### Workflow 1: API Discovery

1. **Ask About Capabilities**: "What can I do with the VBASoftware API?"
2. **Get Specific Examples**: "Show me how to create an authorization"
3. **Understand Relationships**: "How do members relate to enrollments?"
4. **Generate Working Code**: AI provides complete, accurate implementations


### Workflow 2: Integration Planning

1. **Describe Your Use Case**: "I need to sync member data from our HR system"
2. **Get Architecture Guidance**: AI suggests appropriate endpoints and patterns
3. **Plan Error Handling**: Get specific error scenarios and handling code
4. **Implement Incrementally**: Build and test components with AI assistance


### Workflow 3: Troubleshooting

1. **Share Error Details**: "I'm getting a 400 error when creating claims"
2. **Get Specific Diagnosis**: AI understands VBAPI error patterns
3. **Receive Working Solutions**: Get corrected code and explanations
4. **Implement Best Practices**: Learn patterns to avoid future issues


## MCP-Enhanced Development Examples

### Example 1: Complete Integration Planning


```
User: "I need to build a system that processes insurance claims from our providers. Where do I start?"

AI (with MCP context): "Based on VBASoftware's claim processing capabilities, here's a recommended architecture:

1. **Authentication Setup**:
   [Provides specific VBAPI auth code]

2. **Claim Ingestion Pipeline**:
   - Use POST /vbasoftware/claim-batch for claim headers
   - Use POST /vbasoftware/claim-batch-detail for service lines
   - Implement batch processing with /vbasoftware/claim-batch-batch

3. **Processing Workflow**:
   - Create claim queues with /vbasoftware/claim-queues
   - Adjudicate using /vbasoftware/claim-adjudication/adjudicate-queue
   - Process with /vbasoftware/claim-adjudication/process-queue

4. **Error Handling**:
   [Provides VBAPI-specific error handling patterns]

Would you like me to implement any of these components?"
```

### Example 2: Schema-Driven Development


```
User: "Generate a TypeScript interface for VBASoftware members"

AI (with MCP context): "Here's the TypeScript interface based on the VBASoftware Member schema:

interface VBAMember {
  memberId: string;
  subscriberId: string;
  firstName: string;
  lastName: string;
  middleName?: string;
  dateOfBirth: string; // YYYY-MM-DD format
  gender: 'M' | 'F' | 'U';
  relationship: 'SELF' | 'SPOUSE' | 'CHILD' | 'DEPENDENT';
  socialSecurityNumber?: string;
  // Address fields
  address1?: string;
  address2?: string;
  city?: string;
  state?: string;
  zipCode?: string;
  // Metadata
  createdDate?: string;
  lastModifiedDate?: string;
}

// Also generate the create request type
interface CreateMemberRequest {
  memberId: string;
  subscriberId: string;
  firstName: string;
  lastName: string;
  dateOfBirth: string;
  gender: 'M' | 'F' | 'U';
  relationship: 'SELF' | 'SPOUSE' | 'CHILD' | 'DEPENDENT';
  socialSecurityNumber?: string;
  // ... other optional fields
}"
```

## Troubleshooting MCP Integration

### Common Issues

#### MCP Server Not Connecting

**Symptoms**: AI tool doesn't seem aware of VBAPI
**Solutions**:

- Verify the MCP server URL: `https://vbasoftware-dev-api.redocly.app/mcp`
- Check your internet connection
- Restart the AI tool after configuration
- Verify MCP is enabled in your tool's settings


#### Limited API Context

**Symptoms**: AI provides generic instead of VBAPI-specific responses
**Solutions**:

- Explicitly mention "VBASoftware" or "VBAPI" in your requests
- Ask "According to the MCP context, what..."
- Restart the AI session to refresh MCP connection


#### Outdated API Information

**Symptoms**: AI references old endpoints or schemas
**Solutions**:

- Clear AI tool cache if available
- Reconnect to the MCP server
- Check if there's an updated MCP server URL


### Testing MCP Connection

Ask your AI tool:


```
"Can you see VBASoftware API context? List some available endpoints."
```

A working MCP connection should provide specific VBAPI endpoints and details.

## Best Practices

### Effective MCP Usage

1. **Be Specific**: Mention "VBASoftware" or "VBAPI" in requests
2. **Leverage Context**: Ask about specific schemas, endpoints, and patterns
3. **Iterate**: Build on AI responses with follow-up questions
4. **Validate**: Always test generated code in development environments


### Security Considerations

1. **No Production Data**: MCP only provides schema/documentation context
2. **Safe Code Generation**: Generated code is based on documentation, not live data
3. **Credential Safety**: Never share real credentials with AI tools
4. **Test Thoroughly**: Always validate generated code before production use