abcnuts/mcp-connector-tester

MCP Connector Tester

Test and document MCP connectors systematically by exploring capabilities, verifying authentication, demonstrating features, and creating comprehensive documentation.

When to Use

Use this skill when the user wants to:

• Test an MCP connector to see if it works
• Explore what an MCP connector can do
• Demonstrate features of an MCP connector
• Create documentation for an MCP connector
• Troubleshoot MCP connector authentication issues
• Show examples of using an MCP connector

Testing Workflow

Follow this systematic approach for testing any MCP connector:

Phase 1: Explore Capabilities

List available tools:

manus-mcp-cli tool list --server <server_name>

This returns a summary of all tools with descriptions. The detailed tool information is saved to a file in ~/.mcp/tool-lists/.

Key information to extract:

• Total number of tools available
• Tool categories (group by functionality)
• Required vs optional parameters for each tool
• Authentication requirements mentioned in descriptions

Save findings to a text file for reference throughout testing.

Phase 2: Test Authentication

Check authentication status:

manus-mcp-cli auth status --server <server_name>

Common authentication patterns:

1. OAuth-based: Requires manus-mcp-cli auth login --server <server_name>
2. API Key/Token: Requires configuration in MCP server settings
3. No auth: STDIO servers that work immediately

Test connection with a simple tool:

manus-mcp-cli tool call <simple_tool_name> --server <server_name> --input '{}'

Choose the simplest tool (usually a "list" or "get" operation) for initial testing.

Common authentication errors:

| Error Message | Cause | Solution | |---------------|-------|----------| | "Unauthorized" | Missing or invalid credentials | Configure API key/token in MCP settings | | "JWT could not be decoded" | Wrong token type | Verify using correct credential type | | "OAuth required" | Need to authenticate | Run auth login command | | Connection timeout | Network or server issue | Check connectivity and server status |

Phase 3: Demonstrate Features

Select representative tools from different categories to demonstrate:

• Basic operations (list, get, search)
• Create/modify operations (if safe to test)
• Advanced features (specific to the connector)

For each demonstration:

1. Explain what the tool does
2. Show the command with parameters
3. Execute and capture results
4. Explain the output
5. Save interesting results to files

Safety considerations:

• Avoid destructive operations (delete, drop, destroy) unless explicitly requested
• Use read-only operations when possible
• Warn before operations that incur costs
• Test on non-production resources when available

Phase 4: Create Documentation

Generate comprehensive documentation covering:

1. Overview Section

   • Connector purpose and use cases
   • Total number of tools
   • Main capability categories

2. Capabilities Section

   • Organize tools by category
   • Describe what each category enables
   • Highlight unique or powerful features

3. Authentication Setup

   • Required credentials and where to get them
   • Step-by-step configuration instructions
   • Common authentication issues and solutions
   • Credential types and their purposes

4. Example Operations

   • Real examples with sample input/output
   • Common use cases
   • Best practices

5. Troubleshooting Guide

   • Common errors and solutions
   • Configuration verification steps
   • Support resources

Documentation format:

• Use clear section headings
• Include code blocks for commands
• Provide tables for comparisons
• Add real examples from testing
• Keep explanations concise but complete

Authentication Configuration Guidance

When authentication is required, guide users through the configuration process:

For API Key/Token Authentication

1. Identify the credential type from error messages or documentation
2. Show where to obtain credentials (usually a dashboard or settings page)
3. Navigate to the credential page using browser tools if helpful
4. Document the configuration process:
   • Where to input the credential in Manus
   • Environment variable names (if applicable)
   • Configuration file locations (if applicable)
5. Verify configuration by testing a simple operation
6. Troubleshoot if verification fails

For OAuth Authentication

1. Initiate OAuth flow:

   manus-mcp-cli auth login --server <server_name>
   

2. Follow the authentication prompts
3. Verify successful authentication:

   manus-mcp-cli auth status --server <server_name>
   

Documentation Templates

Use the templates in the templates/ directory for consistent documentation:

• connector_overview.md - Main documentation structure
• authentication_guide.md - Authentication setup instructions
• troubleshooting_guide.md - Common issues and solutions

Customize these templates for each connector based on testing results.

Best Practices

Exploration:

• Start with tool listing to understand scope
• Group tools by functionality for clarity
• Identify the simplest tool for initial testing

Authentication:

• Always check auth status first
• Document credential types clearly
• Distinguish between different credential purposes
• Provide visual guides when helpful

Testing:

• Test read-only operations first
• Use real data when available (with permission)
• Save interesting results for documentation
• Note any unexpected behavior

Documentation:

• Write for users who are new to the connector
• Include real examples from testing
• Provide troubleshooting for common issues
• Keep language clear and concise

Safety:

• Warn before destructive operations
• Avoid operations that incur costs without confirmation
• Test on non-production resources when possible
• Respect user data and privacy

Output Deliverables

Provide users with:

1. Capabilities overview document - Summary of what the connector can do
2. Authentication guide - Step-by-step setup instructions
3. Example demonstrations - Real operations with results
4. Troubleshooting guide - Common issues and solutions
5. Complete reference - Comprehensive documentation combining all above

Save all documentation as Markdown files and deliver as attachments.

Common MCP Connector Patterns

Project/Resource Management:

• List projects/resources
• Get details about specific items
• Create new projects/resources
• Update configurations
• Delete/archive items

Data Operations:

• Query/search data
• Execute operations (SQL, API calls)
• Import/export data
• Transform data

Monitoring & Logs:

• Get logs or events
• Check status/health
• Get metrics or analytics

Configuration:

• List settings
• Update configurations
• Manage credentials/keys

Development Tools:

• Deploy code/functions
• Run tests
• Generate types/schemas
• Manage versions

Identify which patterns apply to the connector being tested and organize documentation accordingly.