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Inspector V2 UX - Specification

Table of Contents

Design Principles

  • Single server connection - No multiple concurrent connections (defer to plugins)
  • MCPJam-inspired - Use MCPJam Inspector as UX reference model
  • Full-width content - Maximize screen real estate for each section
  • No sidebar - Deferred until menu becomes cumbersome or extensions multiply
  • Progressive disclosure - Show relevant information at each connection stage
  • Resizable panels - Allow users to adjust panel sizes on feature screens

Navigation Model

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  [Server Name ▼]  ● Connected (23ms)  [Tools] [Apps] [Resources] [Prompts] [Logs] [Tasks] [History] [Disconnect] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                                         │
│                                   Full-width content                                    │
│                                                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
  • Menu bar displays server name, connection status with latency, and disconnect button when connected
  • Top navigation links to Tools, Apps, Resources, Prompts, Logs, Tasks, and History sections
  • Connection indicator shows latency from periodic ping requests
  • No sidebar - content areas use full width

Screen Flows

Server List (Home)

Initial screen shown when no server is connected. Displays server cards in a responsive grid (1-2 columns).

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    MCP Inspector                        │
│                                        [+ Add Server ▼] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                         │
│  ┌─────────────────────────┐  ┌─────────────────────────┐
│  │ Server Card 1           │  │ Server Card 2           │
│  │ (see below)             │  │ (see below)             │
│  └─────────────────────────┘  └─────────────────────────┘
│                                                         │
│  ┌─────────────────────────┐                            │
│  │ Server Card 3           │                            │
│  └─────────────────────────┘                            │
│                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Add Server Options:

  • Add manually - Opens form modal for manual configuration
  • Import config - Paste/upload internal mcp.json config
  • Import server.json - Import MCP Registry format (Issue #922)

Functionality:

  • List servers from mcp.json config file
  • Add/edit/delete servers via CRUD endpoints on proxy
  • Responsive grid layout (1 column mobile, 2 columns desktop)

Server Connection Card

Each server in the list is displayed as a card with connection controls and status.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [Icon] Server Name              v1.0.0                  │
│        STDIO                    [●] Connected  [Toggle] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-everything    [Copy]│
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Server Info]                          [Edit] [Remove]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

With Error State:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [Icon] Server Name              v1.0.0                  │
│        HTTP                     [●] Failed (3) [Toggle] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ https://api.example.com/mcp                       [Copy]│
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Server Info]                          [Edit] [Remove]  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [!] Connection timeout after 20s                       │
│ [Show more]              [View Troubleshooting Guide →] │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Status Indicators:

Status Indicator Display
Connected Green dot "Connected"
Connecting Yellow pulsing dot "Connecting..."
Failed Red dot "Failed (N)" with retry count
Disconnected Gray dot "Disconnected"

Card Actions:

  • Toggle switch - Connect/disconnect the server
  • Copy - Copy command/URL to clipboard
  • Server Info - Opens server info modal
  • Edit - Opens edit server modal
  • Remove - Deletes server (with confirmation)

Import server.json Modal

Support for importing MCP Registry server.json format for testing servers before publishing.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Import MCP Registry server.json                                         [×] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                             │
│ Paste server.json content or drag and drop a file:                          │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ {                                                                       │ │
│ │   "$schema": "https://static.modelcontextprotocol.io/schemas/...",      │ │
│ │   "name": "io.github.user/my-server",                                   │ │
│ │   "description": "A sample MCP server",                                 │ │
│ │   "version": "1.0.0",                                                   │ │
│ │   "packages": [{                                                        │ │
│ │     "registryType": "npm",                                              │ │
│ │     "identifier": "my-mcp-server",                                      │ │
│ │     "runtimeHint": "npx",                                               │ │
│ │     "transport": { "type": "stdio" },                                   │ │
│ │     "environmentVariables": [                                           │ │
│ │       { "name": "API_KEY", "description": "API key", "required": true } │ │
│ │     ]                                                                   │ │
│ │   }]                                                                    │ │
│ │ }                                                                       │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                          [Browse...] [Clear]│
│                                                                             │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│                                                                             │
│ Validation Results:                                                         │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ✓ Schema validation passed                                              │ │
│ │ ✓ Package found: my-mcp-server (npm)                                    │ │
│ │ ⚠ Environment variable API_KEY not set                                  │ │
│ │ ℹ Runtime hint: npx                                                     │ │
│ │ ℹ Transport: stdio                                                      │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                             │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│                                                                             │
│ Package Selection (if multiple packages):                                   │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ● npm: my-mcp-server (npx)                                              │ │
│ │ ○ pypi: my-mcp-server (uvx)                                             │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                             │
│ Environment Variables:                                                      │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ API_KEY *                   Description: API key                        │ │
│ │ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ sk-...                                                              │ │ │
│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│ │                                                                         │ │
│ │ OPTIONAL_VAR                Description: Optional setting               │ │
│ │ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │                                                                     │ │ │
│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                             │
│ Server Name (optional override):                                            │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ my-server                                                               │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                             │
│                                    [Validate Again]  [Cancel]  [Add Server] │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Schema Validation:

  • Validate against official MCP Registry schema
  • Show validation errors inline with line numbers
  • Highlight issues in the JSON editor

Package Selection:

  • If server.json contains multiple packages (npm + pypi), let user choose which to use
  • Display registry type, identifier, and runtime hint for each option

Environment Variables:

  • Parse environmentVariables array from selected package
  • Generate form fields for each variable
  • Mark required variables with asterisk (*)
  • Show description as helper text
  • Validate required variables are filled before enabling "Add Server"

Value Verification:

  • Check if package exists in registry (npm, pypi)
  • Verify environment variables are set (or prompt user)
  • For HTTP transport: optionally verify URL is reachable
  • For STDIO: verify command is available (e.g., npx installed)

Server Generation:

  • Convert server.json to internal config format
  • Construct command from runtime hint + package identifier (e.g., npx -y my-mcp-server)
  • Apply environment variables
  • Set transport type from package.transport

server.json to Internal Config Mapping:

server.json Field Internal Config Field
name name (display name)
packages[n].registryType Determines command prefix
packages[n].identifier Package name in command
packages[n].runtimeHint Command prefix (npx, uvx, etc.)
packages[n].transport.type transportType
packages[n].environmentVariables env object

Use Cases:

  1. MCP authors testing server.json before publishing to registry
  2. Developers importing servers from registry without manual setup
  3. Configuration troubleshooting with detailed validation feedback

Server Info (Connected)

Shown as a modal or dedicated screen after successful connection.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Server Information                              [×]    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                         │
│  Name:        everything-server                         │
│  Version:     1.0.0                                     │
│  Protocol:    2025-11-25                                │
│  Transport:   stdio                                     │
│                                                         │
│  Server Capabilities          Client Capabilities       │
│  ─────────────────────        ─────────────────────     │
│  ✓ Tools (4)                  ✓ Sampling                │
│  ✓ Resources (12)             ✓ Elicitation             │
│  ✓ Prompts (2)                ✓ Roots (3)               │
│  ✓ Logging                    ✓ Tasks                   │
│  ✓ Completions                                          │
│  ✓ Tasks                                                │
│  ✗ Experimental                                         │
│                                                         │
│  Server Instructions                                    │
│  ───────────────────                                    │
│  "This server provides testing tools for MCP..."        │
│                                                         │
│  OAuth Details (if applicable)                          │
│  ─────────────                                          │
│  Auth URL:    https://auth.example.com                  │
│  Scopes:      read, write                               │
│  Access Token: eyJhbG... [Copy] [Decode JWT ▼]          │
│                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Functionality:

  • Display server metadata, version, and negotiated protocol version
  • Show both server and client capabilities with counts
  • Server capabilities: Tools, Resources, Prompts, Logging, Completions, Tasks, Experimental
  • Client capabilities: Sampling, Elicitation, Roots, Tasks, Experimental
  • Display server instructions if provided
  • Show OAuth tokens with copy and JWT decode options

Feature Screens

Each feature screen uses a resizable panel layout for flexibility.

Tools Screen

┌─────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────┐
│ Tools (4)       │ Parameters                           │ Results                │
│ ● List updated  │ (40%)                                │ (30%)                  │
│ [Refresh Now]   │ ↔ resize                             │                        │
├─────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────┤
│                 │                                      │                        │
│ [Search...]     │ Tool: query_database                 │ Output:                │
│                 │ ───────────────────                  │                        │
│ ● query_db      │ Annotations:                         │ ┌──────────────────┐   │
│   [user]       │   Audience: user                      │ │                  │   │
│   [read-only]  │   Read-only: true                     │ │   [Image]        │   │
│                 │   Hints: "Useful for data queries"   │ │                  │   │
│ ○ echo          │                                      │ └──────────────────┘   │
│ ○ add           │ table *                              │                        │
│ ○ longOp        │ ┌────────────────────────────────┐   │ {                      │
│   [long-run]   │ │ users                        ▼ │   │   "rows": 42,          │
│ ○ dangerOp      │ └────────────────────────────────┘   │   "data": [...]        │
│   [destructive]│   Suggestions: users, orders, items │ }                      │
│                 │                                      │                        │
│                 │ limit                                │ [Play Audio]           │
│                 │ ┌────────────────────────────────┐   │                        │
│                 │ │ 100                            │   │ [Copy] [Clear]         │
│                 │ └────────────────────────────────┘   │                        │
│                 │                                      │                        │
│                 │ ████████████░░░░░░░░ 60%             │                        │
│                 │ Processing step 3 of 5...            │                        │
│                 │                                      │                        │
│                 │ [Execute Tool]           [Cancel]    │                        │
└─────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────┘

With Pending Client Requests (inline expansion):

When a tool execution triggers sampling or elicitation requests, they appear inline:

┌─────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Tools (4)       │ Tool: query_database                           [Executing...] │
│                 ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Search...]     │ Parameters: { "table": "users", "limit": 10 }                  │
│                 ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ● query_db      │ [!] Pending Client Requests (2)                                │
│ ○ echo          │                                                                │
│ ○ add           │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│ ○ longOp        │ │ sampling/createMessage                       [1 of 2]    │   │
│                 │ │ Model hints: claude-3-sonnet                              │   │
│                 │ │ Messages: "Analyze this database schema..."               │   │
│                 │ │                                                           │   │
│                 │ │ Response:  [Testing Profile: Quick Mock]                  │   │
│                 │ │ ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │   │
│                 │ │ │ This is a mock LLM response for testing purposes.    │ │   │
│                 │ │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │   │
│                 │ │                                                           │   │
│                 │ │            [Auto-respond]  [Edit & Send]  [Reject]        │   │
│                 │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                 │                                                                │
│                 │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│                 │ │ elicitation/create (form)                    [2 of 2]    │   │
│                 │ │ Message: "Please confirm the query parameters"            │   │
│                 │ │                                                           │   │
│                 │ │ table: [users     ]  limit: [10]  [x] include_deleted     │   │
│                 │ │                                                           │   │
│                 │ │                                  [Cancel]  [Submit]       │   │
│                 │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                 │                                                                │
│                 │                                              [Cancel Tool]     │
└─────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • List Changed Indicator - Shows when notifications/tools/list_changed received, with refresh button
  • Searchable/filterable tool list
  • Tool Annotations displayed:
    • Audience badge ([user], [assistant])
    • Read-only indicator ([read-only])
    • Destructive warning ([destructive])
    • Long-running indicator ([long-run])
    • Custom hints from server
  • Autocomplete for arguments via completion/complete:
    • Dropdown suggestions as user types
    • Supports enum and dynamic completion
  • Form generated from tool input schema
  • Progress Indicator from notifications/progress:
    • Progress bar with percentage
    • Step description if provided
    • Elapsed time display
  • Execute button with loading state
  • Cancel button sends notifications/cancelled
  • Inline Client Request Queue - When tool triggers sampling/elicitation:
    • Pending requests shown inline (not as separate modal)
    • Queue counter shows total pending requests
    • Each request shows type, summary, and response options
    • Auto-respond button uses active Testing Profile
    • Edit & Send allows modifying response before sending
    • Requests processed in order, tool execution resumes after all resolved
    • Visible connection between tool call and its triggered requests
  • Rich Result Display:
    • JSON/text with syntax highlighting
    • Image preview for image content (base64)
    • Audio player for audio content (base64)
    • Resource links displayed as clickable references

Apps Screen

A two-panel layout showing the subset of tools that are MCP Apps — tools whose metadata advertises a UI resource via _meta.ui.resourceUri (or the deprecated flat _meta["ui/resourceUri"]). The right panel toggles between an input form (before launch) and the embedded app (after launch).

Input Form State:

┌──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MCP Apps (1)         🔍 │ get-cohort-data                          ✕  │
│ [Refresh Apps]           │ Returns cohort retention heatmap data...     │
├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                          │                                              │
│ ▸ get-cohort-data        │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│   Returns cohort         │ │ App Input                                │ │
│   retention heatmap...   │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │ metric                                   │ │
│                          │ │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│                          │ │ │ retention                          ▾ │ │ │
│                          │ │ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │ periodType                               │ │
│                          │ │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│                          │ │ │ monthly                            ▾ │ │ │
│                          │ │ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │ cohortCount                              │ │
│                          │ │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│                          │ │ │ 12                                   │ │ │
│                          │ │ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │ maxPeriods                               │ │
│                          │ │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│                          │ │ │ 12                                   │ │ │
│                          │ │ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │            [▶  Open App]                 │ │
│                          │ └──────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Running App State:

After "Open App" the right panel swaps to the embedded MCP App. The input form is replaced by the app iframe; a "Back to Input" button (only when the selected app has input fields) returns to the form.

┌──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MCP Apps (1)         🔍 │ get-cohort-data                  ⛶  ✕      │
│ [Refresh Apps]           │                          [Back to Input]     │
├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ▸ get-cohort-data        │ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│   Returns cohort         │ │                                          │ │
│   retention heatmap...   │ │           [Embedded MCP App]             │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │  Cohort Retention Analysis  Metric: ▾    │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ │  May 2025  100  85  72  ...              │ │
│                          │ │  Jun 2025  100  85  78  ...              │ │
│                          │ │  ...                                     │ │
│                          │ │                                          │ │
│                          │ └──────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • App Detection — A tool is treated as an App when getToolUiResourceUri(tool) returns a defined ui://... URI (helper from @modelcontextprotocol/ext-apps). Filtering happens upstream (wiring layer); the screen receives an already-filtered tools: Tool[] array of apps.
  • List Changed Indicator — Shows when notifications/tools/list_changed received.
  • Refresh Apps button re-runs tools/list.
  • Searchable list, mirroring the Tools screen sidebar.
  • App icons rendered from tool.icons when present.
  • App Input form generated from tool.inputSchema (same SchemaForm used by Tools screen).
  • Open App button:
    • If the tool has input fields, the form must be filled before launch.
    • If the tool has no input fields, "Open App" runs immediately on selection.
  • Back to Input returns to the form (only visible when the app has fields).
  • Maximize / Minimize toggle hides the sidebar to give the app the full viewport.
  • App Renderer embeds the UI resource in a sandboxed iframe and bridges it to the active MCP server via AppBridge. Tool input and result are sent to the app via sendToolInput / sendToolResult.
  • Close (✕) deselects the app and clears any in-flight launch.

Resources Screen

┌─────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Resources (12)          │ Content Preview (65%)                           │
│ ● List updated          │                                                 │
│ [Refresh Now]           │                                                 │
├─────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                         │                                                 │
│ [Search...]             │ URI: file:///config.json                        │
│                         │ MIME: application/json                          │
│ ● config.json           │ ─────────────────────────────                   │
│   [application]        │                                                  │
│   [priority: 0.9]      │ Annotations:                                    │
│                         │   Audience: application                         │
│ ○ readme.md             │   Priority: 0.9 (high)                          │
│   [user]               │                                                  │
│                         │ {                                               │
│ ○ data.csv              │   "name": "my-app",                             │
│                         │   "version": "1.0.0"                            │
│ Templates:              │ }                                               │
│ ○ user/{id}             │                                                 │
│   [id: ________ ] [Go]  │ [Copy] [Subscribe] [Unsubscribe]                │
│                         │                                                 │
│ Subscriptions:          │ Last updated: 14:32:05                          │
│ ● config.json (active)  │                                                 │
│                         │                                                 │
└─────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • List Changed Indicator - Shows when notifications/resources/list_changed received
  • List resources with pagination
  • Resource Annotations displayed:
    • Audience badge ([user], [application/assistant])
    • Priority indicator ([high], [medium], [low])
  • Resource templates with inline variable input
  • Subscribe/unsubscribe to resource updates
  • Subscriptions Panel shows active subscriptions with last update time
  • Content viewer (JSON, text, binary preview)
  • Image preview for image resources
  • Audio player for audio resources

Prompts Screen

┌──────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Prompts (2)                  │ Result (65%)                             │
│ ● List updated [Refresh Now] │                                          │
├──────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                              │                                          │
│ Select Prompt:               │ Messages:                                │
│ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │                                          │
│ │ greeting_prompt        ▼ │ │ [0] role: user                           │
│ └──────────────────────────┘ │     Content:                             │
│                              │     "Hello, my name is John and I        │
│ Description:                 │      like cats"                          │
│ "Generates a friendly        │                                          │
│  greeting message"           │     [Image: profile.png]                 │
│                              │                                          │
│ Arguments:                   │ [1] role: assistant                      │
│ ─────────────                │     "Nice to meet you, John! I see       │
│                              │      you're a cat lover..."              │
│ name *                       │                                          │
│ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │                                          │
│ │ John                   ▼ │ │                                          │
│ └──────────────────────────┘ │                                          │
│   Suggestions: John, Jane    │                                          │
│                              │                                          │
│ interests                    │                                          │
│ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │                                          │
│ │ cats                     │ │                                          │
│ └──────────────────────────┘ │                                          │
│                              │                                          │
│ [Get Prompt]                 │ [Copy JSON] [Copy Messages]              │
└──────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • List Changed Indicator - Shows when notifications/prompts/list_changed received
  • Dropdown to select from available prompts
  • Prompt description displayed
  • Autocomplete for arguments via completion/complete
  • Form generated from prompt arguments
  • Display prompt messages result with:
    • Role labels
    • Text content
    • Image content preview
    • Audio content player
    • Embedded resource display
  • Copy functionality (JSON or plain messages)

Logging Screen

┌──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Log Controls (25%)   │ Log Stream (75%)                                 │
│ ↔ resize             │                                                  │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      │                                                  │
│ Log Level:           │ 14:32:01 [INFO]  Server initialized              │
│ ┌────────────────┐   │ 14:32:02 [DEBUG] Loading tool: echo              │
│ │ debug        ▼ │   │ 14:32:02 [DEBUG] Loading tool: add               │
│ └────────────────┘   │ 14:32:05 [WARN]  Rate limit approaching          │
│                      │ 14:32:10 [ERROR] Failed to fetch resource: 404   │
│ [Set Level]          │                                                  │
│                      │ ─────────────────────────────────────────────    │
│ Filter:              │                                                  │
│ ┌────────────────┐   │                                                  │
│ │                │   │                                                  │
│ └────────────────┘   │                                                  │
│                      │                                                  │
│ Show Levels:         │                                                  │
│ ☑ DEBUG              │                                                  │
│ ☑ INFO               │                                                  │
│ ☑ WARNING            │                                                  │
│ ☑ ERROR              │                                                  │
│                      │                                                  │
│ Request Filter:      │                                                  │
│ ┌────────────────┐   │                                                  │
│ │ All requests ▼ │   │                                                  │
│ └────────────────┘   │                                                  │
│                      │                                                  │
│ [Clear] [Export]     │ [Auto-scroll ✓] [Copy All]                       │
└──────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

With Request Correlation:

Logs can be filtered by the request that triggered them:

┌──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Log Controls (25%)   │ Log Stream (filtered by request)                 │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      │                                                  │
│ Request Filter:      │ Showing logs for: tools/call (query_database)    │
│ ┌────────────────┐   │                               [View in History]  │
│ │ query_database │   │ ─────────────────────────────────────────────    │
│ │   14:32:10   ▼ │   │ 14:32:10 [DEBUG] Starting query execution        │
│ └────────────────┘   │ 14:32:11 [INFO]  Requesting LLM analysis         │
│                      │ 14:32:12 [DEBUG] Sampling response received      │
│ Recent Requests:     │ 14:32:13 [WARN]  Query taking longer than usual  │
│ ○ query_database     │ 14:32:15 [INFO]  Query completed, 42 rows        │
│ ○ analyze_data       │                                                  │
│ ○ prompts/get        │                                                  │
│                      │                                                  │
│ [Show All Logs]      │ [Auto-scroll ✓] [Copy Filtered]                  │
└──────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Set Log Level via logging/setLevel request
    • Options: debug, info, notice, warning, error, critical, alert, emergency
  • Real-time Log Stream from notifications/message
  • Filter by text search
  • Filter by log level checkboxes
  • Color-coded by severity:
    • DEBUG: gray
    • INFO: blue
    • WARNING: yellow
    • ERROR: red
  • Timestamp display
  • Logger name display (if provided)
  • Auto-scroll toggle
  • Export logs to file
  • Copy all logs to clipboard
  • Request Correlation:
    • Filter logs by request (shows logs emitted during a specific tool/resource/prompt call)
    • Recent requests dropdown shows last N requests
    • [View in History] link navigates to the request in History screen
    • Logs include correlation ID linking them to their parent request
    • Click any log entry to see which request chain it belongs to

Tasks Screen

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Tasks                                                     [Refresh]     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│ Active Tasks (2)                                                        │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Task: abc-123              Status: running         ████████░░ 80%  │ │
│ │ Method: tools/call                                                  │ │
│ │ Tool: longRunningOperation                                          │ │
│ │ Started: 14:32:05          Elapsed: 45s                             │ │
│ │ Progress: Processing batch 4 of 5...                                │ │
│ │                                            [View Details] [Cancel]  │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Task: def-456              Status: waiting         ░░░░░░░░░░ 0%   │ │
│ │ Method: resources/read                                              │ │
│ │ Resource: large-dataset                                             │ │
│ │ Started: 14:33:00          Elapsed: 10s                             │ │
│ │                                            [View Details] [Cancel]  │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Completed Tasks (3)                                    [Clear History]  │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Task: ghi-789              Status: completed       ██████████ 100% │ │
│ │ Method: tools/call (processData)                                    │ │
│ │ Completed: 14:31:30        Duration: 1m 30s                         │ │
│ │                                            [View Result] [Dismiss]  │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Task List via tasks/list request
  • Real-time Status Updates via notifications/task/statusChanged
  • Progress Display from notifications/progress:
    • Progress bar with percentage
    • Current step description
    • Total/current progress numbers
  • Task states: waiting, running, completed, failed, cancelled
  • Cancel Tasks via tasks/cancel
  • View Results via tasks/result
  • View Task Details via tasks/get
  • Task history with dismissal
  • Elapsed time / duration display

History Screen

A unified history of all MCP requests with hierarchical request trace capability. Shows parent-child relationships when tool calls trigger sampling or elicitation requests.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ History                                           [Search...] [Filter ▼] [Clear All] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                                     │
│ [>] 14:35:22  tools/call  query_database         [success] 450ms   [Replay] [Pin]   │
│     +-- 14:35:23  sampling/createMessage  claude-3-sonnet           [+45ms]         │
│     |     Model: claude-3-sonnet-20241022                                           │
│     |     Response: "Based on the schema, I recommend..."         [Expand]          │
│     +-- 14:35:24  sampling/createMessage  gpt-4                     [+120ms]        │
│     |     Model: gpt-4-turbo                                                        │
│     |     Response: "The query should use an index..."            [Expand]          │
│     +-- 14:35:25  elicitation/create  (form: confirm_action)        [+200ms]        │
│           User provided: { confirmed: true }                                        │
│                                                                                     │
│ [>] 14:34:15  resources/read  file:///config.json  [success] 120ms  [Replay] [Pin]  │
│     (no client requests)                                                            │
│                                                                                     │
│ [>] 14:33:45  prompts/get  greeting_prompt        [success] 30ms   [Replay] [Pin]   │
│     Arguments: { "name": "John", "interests": "cats" }                              │
│                                                                                     │
│ [>] 14:32:10  tools/call  analyze_data            [success] 800ms  [Replay] [Pin]   │
│     +-- 14:32:11  sampling/createMessage  claude-3-opus             [+350ms]        │
│     |     Messages: "Analyze this dataset and identify..."                          │
│     |     Response: "I've identified 3 key patterns..."          [Expand]           │
│     +-- 14:32:12  elicitation/create  (url: oauth)                  [+400ms]        │
│           Status: User completed OAuth flow                                         │
│                                                                                     │
│ Pinned Requests (2)                                                                 │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ * "Test query"     tools/call  query_database    14:35:22      [Replay] [Unpin]  │ │
│ │ * "Get config"     resources/read  config.json   14:34:15      [Replay] [Unpin]  │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Request Trace - Hierarchical view showing causal relationships:

    • Top-level requests (tools/call, resources/read, prompts/get) shown as parent nodes
    • Client requests (sampling, elicitation) shown as nested children with timing offset
    • Expandable/collapsible tree structure
    • Visual connector lines showing the chain
    • Correlation ID links related requests together
  • Automatic Capture - All MCP requests/responses logged automatically:

    • tools/call - Tool invocations (parent)
    • resources/read - Resource reads (parent)
    • prompts/get - Prompt retrievals (parent)
    • sampling/createMessage - Sampling requests (child, nested under triggering request)
    • elicitation/create - Elicitation requests (child, nested under triggering request)
  • Request Details displayed:

    • Timestamp (absolute for parents, relative offset for children)
    • Method name
    • Target (tool name, resource URI, prompt name, model hint)
    • Parameters/arguments
    • Result status (success/error)
    • Total response time (for parents), offset time (for children)
    • Response data (collapsible)
  • Replay - Re-execute any request with original parameters:

    • Opens relevant screen (Tools, Resources, Prompts) pre-filled
    • Option to modify parameters before replay
    • Replaying a parent re-executes the full chain
  • Pin/Save - Pin important requests for quick access:

    • Pinned requests persist across sessions
    • Optional custom label for pinned items
    • Pinned section at bottom for easy access
  • Filter by:

    • Method type (tools, resources, prompts, sampling, elicitation)
    • Status (success, error)
    • Time range
    • Show/hide child requests (flatten view)
  • Search across method names, parameters, and responses

  • Clear - Clear history (with confirmation)

  • Export - Export history as JSON for sharing/debugging

Replay Workflow:

  1. Click [Replay] on any history entry
  2. Inspector navigates to the appropriate screen (Tools, Resources, Prompts)
  3. Form is pre-filled with the original parameters
  4. User can modify parameters or execute immediately
  5. New request is added to history (with any triggered client requests nested)

Client Feature Handlers

Client feature handlers manage server-initiated requests (sampling, elicitation). They appear in two contexts:

  1. Inline - When triggered during tool execution, shown within the Tools screen (see Inline Client Request Queue)
  2. Modal - For standalone testing or detailed view

For detailed documentation including Testing Profiles and Sampling Providers, see v2_ux_handlers.md.

Sampling Panel

When server sends sampling/createMessage request (modal view shown, inline view in Tools Screen above):

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Sampling Request                                                    [x]  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│ The server is requesting an LLM completion.                             │
│                                                                         │
│ Messages:                                                               │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ [0] role: user                                                      │ │
│ │     "Analyze this data and provide insights about the trends..."    │ │
│ │                                                                     │ │
│ │ [1] role: user                                                      │ │
│ │     [Image: data_chart.png - Click to preview]                      │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Model Preferences:                                                      │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Hints: ["claude-3-sonnet", "gpt-4"]                                 │ │
│ │ Cost Priority: low (0.2)                                            │ │
│ │ Speed Priority: medium (0.5)                                        │ │
│ │ Intelligence Priority: high (0.8)                                   │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Parameters:                                                             │
│   Max Tokens: 1000                                                      │
│   Stop Sequences: ["\n\n", "END"]                                       │
│   Temperature: (not specified)                                          │
│                                                                         │
│ Include Context: ☑ thisServer                                           │
│                                                                         │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                         │
│ Response (enter mock response or connect to LLM):                       │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Based on the data chart, I can see several key trends:              │ │
│ │                                                                     │ │
│ │ 1. Revenue has increased 25% quarter-over-quarter                   │ │
│ │ 2. User engagement peaks on Tuesdays...                             │ │
│ │                                                                     │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Model Used: ________________    Stop Reason: [end_turn ▼]               │
│                                                                         │
│                                      [Reject Request]  [Send Response]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Display full sampling request details:
    • Messages with text, image, and audio content
    • Model hints and preferences
    • Max tokens, stop sequences, temperature
    • Context inclusion settings
  • Testing Profile selector for quick response strategy switching
  • [Auto-respond] button generates response from active Testing Profile
  • Editable response field for mock LLM testing
  • Model and stop reason fields for response
  • Approve/Reject with human-in-the-loop
  • Image/audio preview in messages
  • Extensible via Sampling Providers (see v2_ux_handlers.md)

Elicitation Handler

When server sends elicitation/create request (modal views shown, inline views in Tools Screen above):

Form Mode:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Server Request: User Input Required                                 [x]  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│ "Please provide your database connection details to proceed."           │
│                                                                         │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                         │
│ Host *                                                                  │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ localhost                                                           │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Port *                                                                  │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ 5432                                                                │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Database                                                                │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ myapp_production                                                    │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ SSL Mode                                                                │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ require                                                           ▼ │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ WARNING: Only provide information you trust this server with.          │
│    The server "{server_name}" is requesting this data.                 │
│                                                                         │
│                                              [Cancel]  [Submit]         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

URL Mode:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Server Request: External Action Required                            [x]  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│ "Please complete the OAuth authorization in your browser."              │
│                                                                         │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                         │
│ The server is requesting you visit:                                     │
│                                                                         │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ https://auth.example.com/oauth/authorize?client_id=abc&state=xyz    │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                            [Copy URL]   │
│                                                                         │
│                           [Open in Browser]                             │
│                                                                         │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                         │
│ Status: Waiting for completion...                        ◌ (spinning)   │
│                                                                         │
│ Elicitation ID: abc123-def456                                           │
│                                                                         │
│ WARNING: This will open an external URL. Verify the domain before proceeding.
│                                                                         │
│                                              [Cancel]                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Form Mode:
    • Generate form from JSON Schema in request
    • Validate input before submission
    • Required field indicators
    • Security warning with server name
    • Submit returns response to server
  • URL Mode:
    • Display URL for user to visit
    • Copy URL button
    • Open in browser button
    • Waiting indicator until notifications/elicitation/complete received
    • Elicitation ID display
    • Domain verification warning
  • Cancel sends declined response

Roots Configuration

Accessed via Settings or Server Info panel:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Roots Configuration                                                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│ Filesystem roots exposed to the connected server:                       │
│                                                                         │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Name          URI                                          Actions  │ │
│ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│ │ Project       file:///home/user/myproject               [Remove]    │ │
│ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│ │ Documents     file:///home/user/Documents               [Remove]    │ │
│ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│ │ Config        file:///etc/myapp                         [Remove]    │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ [+ Add Root]                                                            │
│                                                                         │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                         │
│ Add New Root:                                                           │
│                                                                         │
│ Name:                                                                   │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Downloads                                                           │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Path:                                                                   │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ /home/user/Downloads                                                │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                        [Browse] [Add]   │
│                                                                         │
│ WARNING: Roots give the server access to these directories.            │
│ Only add directories you trust the server to access.                   │
│                                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • List configured roots with name and URI
  • Add new roots:
    • Name field
    • Path field with browse button
  • Remove roots
  • Sends notifications/roots/listChanged when roots are modified
  • Responds to roots/list requests from server
  • Security warning about filesystem access

Experimental Features Panel

Accessed via Settings or dedicated nav item:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Experimental Features                                                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│ WARNING: These features are non-standard and may change or be removed. │
│                                                                         │
│ Server Experimental Capabilities:                                       │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ custom_analytics                                                    │ │
│ │   Description: Custom analytics tracking                            │ │
│ │   Methods: analytics/track, analytics/query                         │ │
│ │                                                            [Test →] │ │
│ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│ │ streaming_v2                                                        │ │
│ │   Description: Enhanced streaming support                           │ │
│ │   Methods: stream/start, stream/stop, stream/data                   │ │
│ │                                                            [Test →] │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Client Experimental Capabilities (advertised to server):                │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ☐ custom_analytics                                                  │ │
│ │ ☐ streaming_v2                                                      │ │
│ │ ☐ Add custom capability...                                          │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────   │
│                                                                         │
│ Raw JSON-RPC Tester:                                                    │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ {                                                                   │ │
│ │   "jsonrpc": "2.0",                                                 │ │
│ │   "id": 1,                                                          │ │
│ │   "method": "experimental/myMethod",                                │ │
│ │   "params": {                                                       │ │
│ │     "key": "value"                                                  │ │
│ │   }                                                                 │ │
│ │ }                                                                   │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                        [Send Request]                   │
│                                                                         │
│ Response:                                                               │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ {                                                                   │ │
│ │   "jsonrpc": "2.0",                                                 │ │
│ │   "id": 1,                                                          │ │
│ │   "result": {                                                       │ │
│ │     "status": "success"                                             │ │
│ │   }                                                                 │ │
│ │ }                                                                   │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                         │
│ Request History:                                                        │
│   14:32:05 - experimental/myMethod (success)                            │
│   14:31:22 - analytics/track (success)                                  │
│   14:30:01 - stream/start (error)                                       │
│                                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Display server's experimental capabilities from initialization
  • Toggle client experimental capabilities to advertise
  • Add custom client experimental capabilities
  • Raw JSON-RPC Tester:
    • JSON editor for arbitrary requests
    • Send button
    • Response display
    • Syntax highlighting
    • Request history with timestamps and status
  • Test experimental methods directly
  • View raw request/response for debugging

Form Generation

Forms are dynamically generated from JSON Schema for tool inputs, prompt arguments, and resource template variables.

Supported Field Types:

JSON Schema Type Form Control
string Text input
string (enum) Select dropdown
string (format: uri) URL input with validation
number / integer Number input
boolean Checkbox or toggle
array Dynamic list with add/remove
object Nested fieldset

Schema Features:

  • required - Mark fields as required (*)
  • default - Pre-fill with default value
  • description - Show as helper text
  • enum - Render as select dropdown
  • minimum / maximum - Validation for numbers
  • minLength / maxLength - Validation for strings

Fallback:

  • For complex schemas (anyOf, oneOf, $ref), show JSON editor as fallback
  • Toggle between form view and JSON editor

Error Handling UX

Toast Notifications

Transient errors and success messages shown as toasts:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ✓ Connected to everything-server                   [×]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [!] Tool execution failed: Invalid parameters      [x]  │
│    [View Documentation →]                               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Inline Error Display

Persistent errors shown inline in context (e.g., server cards):

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [!] Connection Error                                    │
│                                                         │
│ Failed to connect: ECONNREFUSED                         │
│ Retry attempt 3 of 5                                    │
│                                                         │
│ [Show full error]        [Troubleshooting Guide →]      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Error Display Patterns:

  • Truncation - Long errors truncated to ~100 chars with "Show more"
  • Retry count - Display retry attempts for connection errors
  • Doc links - Contextual links to troubleshooting documentation
  • Expandable - Click to show full error message/stack trace

Connection States

Clear visual feedback for connection lifecycle:

State Visual User Action
Disconnected Gray status, toggle off Click toggle to connect
Connecting Yellow pulsing, spinner Wait or cancel
Connected Green status, toggle on Click toggle to disconnect
Failed Red status, error shown Retry or edit config
OAuth Flow Redirect indicator Complete OAuth in browser

MCP Protocol Coverage

This UX specification covers 100% of the MCP 2025-11-25 protocol specification.

Request Methods

Method UX Location
initialize Connection flow (implicit)
ping Navigation bar latency display
tools/list Tools Screen
tools/call Tools Screen
resources/list Resources Screen
resources/templates/list Resources Screen (templates section)
resources/read Resources Screen
resources/subscribe Resources Screen
resources/unsubscribe Resources Screen
prompts/list Prompts Screen
prompts/get Prompts Screen
sampling/createMessage Sampling Panel
elicitation/create Elicitation Handler
completion/complete Tools/Prompts autocomplete
logging/setLevel Logging Screen
roots/list Roots Configuration
tasks/list Tasks Screen
tasks/get Tasks Screen
tasks/result Tasks Screen
tasks/cancel Tasks Screen

Notification Methods

Notification UX Location
notifications/initialized Connection flow (implicit)
notifications/progress Tools Screen progress bar, Tasks Screen
notifications/cancelled Tools Screen cancel button
notifications/message Logging Screen
notifications/tools/list_changed Tools Screen indicator
notifications/resources/list_changed Resources Screen indicator
notifications/prompts/list_changed Prompts Screen indicator
notifications/resources/updated Resources Screen subscriptions
notifications/roots/listChanged Roots Configuration
notifications/task/statusChanged Tasks Screen
notifications/elicitation/complete Elicitation Handler (URL mode)

Capabilities

Capability Type UX Location
tools Server Tools Screen, Server Info
resources Server Resources Screen, Server Info
prompts Server Prompts Screen, Server Info
logging Server Logging Screen, Server Info
completions Server Forms autocomplete, Server Info
tasks Server Tasks Screen, Server Info
experimental Server Experimental Features Panel, Server Info
sampling Client Sampling Panel, Server Info
elicitation Client Elicitation Handler, Server Info
roots Client Roots Configuration, Server Info
tasks Client Tasks Screen, Server Info
experimental Client Experimental Features Panel, Server Info

Content Types

Content Type UX Location
Text All screens (default)
Image (base64) Tools results, Prompts messages, Resources
Audio (base64) Tools results, Prompts messages, Resources
Resource links Tools results, embedded display
Embedded resources Prompts messages

Annotations

Annotation UX Location
Tool audience Tools Screen badges
Tool hints Tools Screen description
Tool readOnly Tools Screen indicator
Tool destructive Tools Screen warning
Resource audience Resources Screen badges
Resource priority Resources Screen indicator