Release v0.4.0: Enhanced device list with filtering, summary stats, and test equipment support

- Device list now returns brief summary first (always visible) then full table
- Added filtering by type, status, and search query
- Added summary statistics (counts by type/status/SSH status)
- Added test equipment detection and querying tools (list_test_equipment, query_test_equipment)
- Added last seen timestamps and power switch relationships to device list
- Improved cache with atomic writes and thread-safe locking
- Updated help documentation with new features and best practices
- Optimized device discovery with parallel SSH identification

Author: Alex J Lennon

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,30 @@
 
 [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/)
 
+## [0.4.0] - 2025-11-17
+
+### Added
+- **Device List Summary Display**: `list_devices` now returns a brief summary first (always visible without expanding) followed by the full detailed table
+- **Device Filtering**: `list_devices` supports filtering by `device_type_filter`, `status_filter`, and `search_query` for quick device discovery
+- **Summary Statistics**: Device list includes summary statistics showing counts by type, status, and SSH status
+- **Test Equipment Detection**: Automatic detection of test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes) via SCPI protocol on common ports (5025, 5024, 3490, 3491)
+- **Test Equipment Tools**: New `list_test_equipment` and `query_test_equipment` tools for managing and querying test equipment with SCPI commands
+- **Last Seen Timestamps**: Device list displays "Last Seen" timestamps showing when each device was last successfully identified
+- **Power Switch Relationships**: Device list shows which power switch (Tasmota device) controls each device
+- **Friendly Name Management**: `update_device_friendly_name` tool to update friendly names for discovered devices in cache
+
+### Fixed
+- **Device List Visibility**: Fixed device list display in Cursor by returning brief summary as separate TextContent item (always visible)
+- **Cache Thread Safety**: Improved cache operations with atomic file writes and thread-safe locking to prevent race conditions during parallel device discovery
+- **Cache Corruption**: Fixed cache corruption issues by using temporary files and `os.replace` for atomic writes
+- **Tasmota Detection Persistence**: Fixed Tasmota detection results being overwritten by ensuring proper cache merging
+
+### Changed
+- **Device Discovery Optimization**: Further optimized device discovery with parallel SSH identification for uncached devices
+- **SSH User Priority**: SSH authentication now prioritizes "fio" user, then "root" for device identification
+- **Device List Format**: Enhanced device list with additional columns (Last Seen, Power Switch) and improved formatting
+- **Help Documentation**: Updated help documentation with new features, workflows, and best practices
+
 ## [0.3.0] - 2025-11-17
 
 ### Added

README.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 MCP server exposing remote embedded hardware testing capabilities to AI assistants.
 
-**Version**: 0.3.0
+**Version**: 0.4.0
 
 > **⚠️ ALPHA QUALITY WARNING**: This package is currently in **alpha** development status. It is **not ready for professional or production use**. The API may change, features may be incomplete, and there may be bugs. Use at your own risk. See [PUBLISHING.md](PUBLISHING.md) for more details.
 
@@ -146,17 +146,18 @@ Data flow: AI → MCP Server → Tools → Lab Framework → Hardware
 
 ## Tools
 
-- **Device**: `list_devices`, `test_device`, `ssh_to_device`
+- **Device**: `list_devices` (with filtering, summary stats, power state), `test_device`, `ssh_to_device`, `verify_device_identity`, `verify_device_by_ip`, `update_device_ip`, `update_device_friendly_name`
 - **VPN**: `vpn_status`, `connect_vpn`, `disconnect_vpn`
 - **Power**: `start_power_monitoring` (DMM or Tasmota), `get_power_logs`, `analyze_power_logs`, `monitor_low_power`, `compare_power_profiles` - Power monitoring via DMM (SCPI) or Tasmota energy monitoring
-- **Tasmota**: `tasmota_control`, `list_tasmota_devices`, `power_cycle_device` - Power cycle devices via Tasmota switches
+- **Tasmota**: `tasmota_control`, `list_tasmota_devices`, `power_cycle_device` - Power cycle devices via Tasmota switches. Tasmota devices show power state (ON/OFF) and consumption (Watts) in device list
+- **Test Equipment**: `list_test_equipment`, `query_test_equipment` - Auto-detect and query test equipment (DMM, oscilloscopes) via SCPI protocol
 - **OTA/Containers**: `check_ota_status`, `trigger_ota_update`, `list_containers`, `deploy_container`, `get_system_status`, `get_firmware_version`, `get_foundries_registration_status`, `get_secure_boot_status`, `get_device_identity`
 - **Process Management**: `kill_stale_processes` - Kill duplicate processes that might interfere
 - **Remote Access**: `create_ssh_tunnel`, `list_ssh_tunnels`, `close_ssh_tunnel`, `access_serial_port`, `list_serial_devices` - SSH tunnels and serial port access
 - **Change Tracking**: `get_change_history`, `revert_changes` - Track and revert changes for security/debugging
 - **Batch/Regression**: `batch_operation`, `regression_test`, `get_device_groups`
 - **Network Mapping**: `create_network_map` - Visual map of network with device type, uptime, friendly names, power switches
-- **Device Verification**: `verify_device_identity`, `verify_device_by_ip`, `update_device_ip` - Verify device identity in DHCP environments
+- **Device Verification**: `verify_device_identity`, `verify_device_by_ip`, `update_device_ip` - Verify device identity in DHCP environments. Device list shows SSH status, last seen timestamps, and power switch relationships
 - **Help**: `help` - Get usage documentation and examples
 
 ## Resources

lab_testing/resources/help.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """Get comprehensive help documentation"""
     return {
         "overview": "MCP server for remote embedded hardware testing in lab environment",
-        "version": "0.1.0",
+        "version": "0.4.0",
         "usage": {
             "basic": "Ask AI assistant to use tools (e.g., 'List devices in the lab', 'Connect to VPN')",
             "examples": [
@@ -26,9 +26,13 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
         },
         "tools": {
             "device_management": {
-                "list_devices": "List all configured lab devices with status, IPs, and types",
-                "test_device": "Test connectivity to a device (ping and SSH check)",
-                "ssh_to_device": "Execute SSH command on a device (requires device_id, command, optional username)",
+                "list_devices": "List all devices with status, IPs, types, firmware, SSH status, last seen, and power switches. Returns brief summary (always visible) then full table. Supports filtering by device_type_filter, status_filter, search_query. Includes summary statistics (counts by type/status/SSH status). Shows Tasmota power state/consumption and test equipment detection.",
+                "test_device": "Test connectivity to a device (ping and SSH check). Best practice: Use before running operations on devices. In DHCP environments, use verify_device_identity to ensure correct device.",
+                "ssh_to_device": "Execute SSH command on a device (requires device_id, command, optional username). Best practice: Test device connectivity first with test_device.",
+                "verify_device_identity": "Verify device identity at given IP matches expected device (important for DHCP). Updates IP in config if verified and changed.",
+                "verify_device_by_ip": "Identify which device (if any) is at a given IP address by checking hostname/unique ID.",
+                "update_device_ip": "Verify device identity and update IP address in config if device is verified and IP has changed (for DHCP environments).",
+                "update_device_friendly_name": "Update friendly name for a discovered device in the cache. Allows custom names when referencing devices.",
             },
             "vpn_management": {
                 "vpn_status": "Get current WireGuard VPN connection status",
@@ -41,7 +45,12 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
             },
             "tasmota_control": {
                 "tasmota_control": "Control Tasmota power switch (device_id, action: on|off|toggle|status|energy)",
-                "list_tasmota_devices": "List all configured Tasmota devices",
+                "list_tasmota_devices": "List all configured Tasmota devices and the devices they control",
+                "power_cycle_device": "Power cycle a device by controlling its Tasmota power switch (turns off, waits, then turns on). Optional: off_duration (default: 5 seconds).",
+            },
+            "test_equipment": {
+                "list_test_equipment": "List all test equipment devices (DMM, oscilloscopes, etc.) found on the network. Includes both configured devices and auto-discovered devices.",
+                "query_test_equipment": "Send a SCPI command to test equipment (DMM, etc.) and get the response. Common commands: *IDN? (identify), MEAS:VOLT:DC? (measure DC voltage), MEAS:CURR:DC? (measure DC current). Supports device_id from config or IP address.",
             },
             "ota_management": {
                 "check_ota_status": "Check Foundries.io OTA update status (device_id)",
@@ -62,7 +71,7 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
             "power_analysis": {
                 "analyze_power_logs": "Analyze power logs for low power/suspend detection (test_name?, device_id?, threshold_mw?)",
                 "monitor_low_power": "Monitor device for low power consumption (device_id, duration?, threshold_mw?, sample_rate?)",
-                "compare_power_profiles": "Compare power consumption across test runs (test_names[], device_id?)",
+                "compare_power_profiles": "Compare power consumption across multiple test runs (test_names[], device_id?). Visualizes differences between test sessions.",
             },
         },
         "resources": {
@@ -81,8 +90,18 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
         "common_workflows": {
             "check_lab_status": [
                 "1. Use 'vpn_status' to check VPN connection",
-                "2. Use 'list_devices' to see available devices",
-                "3. Use 'test_device' to verify connectivity",
+                "2. Use 'list_devices' to see available devices (shows brief summary first, then full table)",
+                "3. Filter devices: 'list_devices(device_type_filter=\"tasmota_device\")' or 'list_devices(status_filter=\"online\")'",
+                "4. Search devices: 'list_devices(search_query=\"192.168.2.18\")'",
+                "5. Use 'test_device' to verify connectivity",
+            ],
+            "device_discovery": [
+                "1. Devices are automatically discovered via network scanning",
+                "2. Tasmota devices detected via HTTP API (port 80)",
+                "3. Test equipment (DMM) detected via SCPI ports (5025, 5024, 3490, 3491)",
+                "4. Device information cached to speed up subsequent scans",
+                "5. Use 'list_devices' to see all discovered devices with their status",
+                "6. Update friendly names: 'update_device_friendly_name(ip, friendly_name)'",
             ],
             "remote_device_access": [
                 "1. Ensure VPN connected (use 'connect_vpn' if needed)",
@@ -121,9 +140,11 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
         },
         "troubleshooting": {
             "vpn_not_connecting": "Check VPN config exists, may require NetworkManager or sudo",
-            "device_not_found": "Verify device_id in device inventory (use list_devices)",
-            "ssh_fails": "Check SSH keys configured, device online, VPN connected",
+            "device_not_found": "Verify device_id in device inventory (use list_devices). In DHCP environments, use verify_device_identity to ensure correct device.",
+            "ssh_fails": "Check SSH keys configured, device online, VPN connected. SSH authentication prioritizes 'fio' user, then 'root'. Check SSH status in device list.",
             "tools_fail": "Verify lab_testing_root path correct, underlying scripts work",
+            "device_list_not_visible": "Device list returns brief summary first (always visible), then full table. If not visible, restart MCP server connection.",
+            "cache_errors": "Device cache uses atomic writes and thread-safe locking. If errors occur, cache may be corrupted - clear cache directory and rescan.",
         },
         "best_practices": [
             "Always check VPN status before accessing lab devices",
@@ -135,6 +156,12 @@ def get_help_content() -> Dict[str, Any]:
             "For low power: set appropriate threshold_mw, monitor for sufficient duration",
             "For regression: organize devices by tags/groups, use batch operations",
             "Tag devices in config for easy rack management and grouping",
+            "Use list_devices filters to quickly find specific devices (type, status, search)",
+            "Device list shows brief summary first - always visible without expanding",
+            "In DHCP environments: verify device identity before operations, use update_device_ip if IP changed",
+            "Device discovery is optimized with parallel SSH identification and caching",
+            "Tasmota devices show power state and consumption in device list",
+            "Test equipment (DMM) can be queried with SCPI commands via query_test_equipment",
         ],
         "foundries_io_integration": {
             "device_config": "Add 'fio_factory', 'fio_target', 'fio_current' to device config",

lab_testing/server/tool_definitions.py

@@ -17,8 +17,33 @@ def get_all_tools() -> List[Tool]:
     return [
         Tool(
             name="list_devices",
-            description="List all configured lab devices with their status",
-            inputSchema={"type": "object", "properties": {}, "required": []},
+            description=(
+                "List all devices on the target network with their status, firmware, and relationships. "
+                "Supports filtering by type, status, and search queries. Includes summary statistics."
+            ),
+            inputSchema={
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {
+                    "device_type_filter": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "description": "Filter by device type (e.g., 'tasmota_device', 'eink_board', 'test_equipment', 'sentai_board')",
+                    },
+                    "status_filter": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "description": "Filter by status (e.g., 'online', 'offline', 'discovered')",
+                    },
+                    "search_query": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "description": "Search by IP address, hostname, friendly name, or device ID (case-insensitive)",
+                    },
+                    "show_summary": {
+                        "type": "boolean",
+                        "description": "Include summary statistics (counts by type/status) in response (default: true)",
+                        "default": True,
+                    },
+                },
+                "required": [],
+            },
         ),
         Tool(
             name="test_device",
@@ -291,6 +316,29 @@ def get_all_tools() -> List[Tool]:
             description="List all configured Tasmota devices and the devices they control",
             inputSchema={"type": "object", "properties": {}, "required": []},
         ),
+        Tool(
+            name="list_test_equipment",
+            description="List all test equipment devices (DMM, oscilloscopes, etc.) found on the network. Includes both configured devices and auto-discovered devices.",
+            inputSchema={"type": "object", "properties": {}, "required": []},
+        ),
+        Tool(
+            name="query_test_equipment",
+            description="Send a SCPI command to test equipment (DMM, etc.) and get the response. Common commands: *IDN? (identify), MEAS:VOLT:DC? (measure DC voltage), MEAS:CURR:DC? (measure DC current)",
+            inputSchema={
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {
+                    "device_id_or_ip": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "description": "Device ID from config or IP address of the test equipment",
+                    },
+                    "scpi_command": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "description": "SCPI command to send (e.g., '*IDN?', 'MEAS:VOLT:DC?')",
+                    },
+                },
+                "required": ["device_id_or_ip", "scpi_command"],
+            },
+        ),
         Tool(
             name="power_cycle_device",
             description="Power cycle a device by controlling its Tasmota power switch (turns off, waits, then turns on)",