Magento 2 Coding Standards MCP Server
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that provides comprehensive Magento 2 coding standards knowledge, enabling AI assistants to write Magento-compliant code naturally — vibe coding for Magento.
Works with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor IDE, VS Code Copilot, Gemini CLI, Continue.dev, Windsurf, Augment Code, and any MCP-compatible client.
Why This Exists
Writing Magento 2 code correctly is hard. There are 83+ coding standard rules, 150+ discouraged functions, 50+ restricted classes, theme-specific conventions, and security requirements that developers must follow. AI assistants don't know these rules — they generate code that looks correct but violates Magento standards.
This MCP server teaches AI assistants Magento's rules so they write compliant code from the start:
- Ask for a "jQuery widget" with Hyva theme active → get Alpine.js component instead
- Paste PHP code → get instant validation with line numbers and fix suggestions
- Ask "how to read a file" → get
DriverInterfacepattern, notfile_get_contents()
Features
- 83+ Coding Standard Rules — Security, Legacy, PHP, Functions, Templates, LESS/CSS, GraphQL, HTML, Framework, Exceptions, and more
- 150+ Discouraged Functions — Every PHP function Magento wants you to avoid, with the correct replacement
- 50+ Restricted Classes — Zend Framework → Laminas migrations, deprecated class replacements
- 25+ jQuery Deprecations — Deprecated jQuery methods with modern replacements
- 19 LESS/CSS Rules — Frontend styling standards
- 7 MCP Tools — Pattern lookup, code validation, security checking, rule explanations, theme management
- 4 Built-in Theme Presets — Hyva, Luma, Breeze, Porto with full validation rules and pattern overrides
- Custom Theme Support — Add your own theme standards via JSON files
- Multi-Platform — Works with every major AI coding tool
Quick Start
1. Clone and Build
git clone https://github.com/Midhun-edv/magento-coding-standard-mcp.git
cd magento-coding-standard-mcp
npm install
npm run build
2. Connect to Your AI Tool
Pick your platform below and add the MCP server:
Claude Code (CLI)
claude mcp add magento-coding-standard -- node /path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js
Claude Desktop
Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonWindows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"magento-coding-standard": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
Cursor IDE
Add to .cursor/mcp.json in your project root:
{
"mcpServers": {
"magento-coding-standard": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
VS Code Copilot
Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your project root:
{
"servers": {
"magento-coding-standard": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
Gemini CLI
Add to ~/.gemini/settings.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"magento-coding-standard": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
Continue.dev
Add to ~/.continue/config.json:
{
"mcpServers": [
{
"name": "magento-coding-standard",
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
]
}
Windsurf
Add to Windsurf MCP settings:
{
"mcpServers": {
"magento-coding-standard": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
Augment Code
Add in Augment Code settings:
{
"mcpServers": {
"magento-coding-standard": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
Note: Replace
/path/to/with your actual installation path. On Windows, use forward slashes:C:/Users/name/magento-coding-standard-mcp/dist/index.js
Available Tools
1. get_magento_pattern
Get the correct Magento 2 way to accomplish a task. Returns the proper pattern, code example, what to avoid, and why.
Task: "read a file"
→ Returns: DriverInterface::fileGetContents() with full example, avoidPatterns, explanation
Supported tasks: File operations, Escaping (HTML/URL/JS/CSS), JSON/Serialization, Validation, Templates/ViewModels, HTTP requests, JavaScript (RequireJS, UI Components, Widgets), Translation, Logging, Database queries
When a theme is active, patterns are automatically overridden with theme-specific versions (e.g., "jQuery widget" → Alpine.js component when Hyva is active).
2. validate_code
Validate code against Magento coding standards. Returns violations with severity, line numbers, rule names, and fix suggestions.
Input: { code: "<?php echo $name; ?>", fileType: "phtml" }
→ Returns: XSS violation at line 1, suggestion to use $escaper->escapeHtml()
Supported file types: php, phtml, js, less, css
When a theme is active, theme-specific validation rules are applied on top of base Magento rules.
3. check_security
Security-focused validation checking for:
- XSS vulnerabilities (unescaped output)
- SQL injection risks (raw queries)
- Insecure functions (exec, eval, shell_exec, etc.)
- Superglobal usage ($_GET, $_POST direct access)
- Object injection (serialize/unserialize)
4. explain_rule
Get detailed explanation of any rule with reasoning, bad/good examples, related rules, and documentation links.
Input: { ruleName: "XssTemplate" }
→ Returns: Full explanation with bad code, good code, and related rules
Also supports theme-specific rules (e.g., Hyva.JS.NoJQuery).
5. list_rules
List all rules with optional filtering:
- category: Security, Legacy, PHP, Functions, Templates, Less, GraphQL, etc.
- minSeverity: 1-10 (10 = most critical)
- searchTerm: Search in rule names and descriptions
When a theme is active, theme rules are included in the listing.
6. get_rules_summary
Get a summary of all rules grouped by category with counts of errors and warnings.
7. manage_theme
Manage theme-specific coding standards that layer on top of base Magento rules.
| Action | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
list |
Show all available themes | { action: "list" } |
set |
Activate a theme | { action: "set", themeId: "hyva" } |
clear |
Deactivate theme | { action: "clear" } |
info |
Show theme details | { action: "info", themeId: "hyva" } |
Theme-Specific Standards
Different Magento themes use completely different frontend stacks. Code that's correct for Luma is wrong for Hyva and vice versa. This MCP supports 4 built-in theme presets and custom themes.
Built-in Presets
| Theme | Stack | Rules | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| hyva | Alpine.js + TailwindCSS | 8 rules | No jQuery, No KnockoutJS, No RequireJS, No LESS |
| luma | jQuery + RequireJS + KnockoutJS + LESS | 4 rules | Default Magento 2 frontend stack |
| breeze | Vanilla JS + Breeze API + LESS | 4 rules | Lightweight, no RequireJS |
| porto | Luma-based + Porto widgets | 4 rules | Always use child theme |
How Themes Work
- Activate a theme: The AI calls
manage_theme({ action: "set", themeId: "hyva" }) - Validation is enhanced:
validate_codenow flags jQuery, RequireJS, KnockoutJS usage as errors - Patterns are overridden:
get_magento_pattern({ task: "jquery widget" })returns Alpine.js component instead - Rules are extended:
list_rulesincludes Hyva-specific rules likeHyva.JS.NoJQuery
Theme Details
Hyva Theme
- USE: Alpine.js (x-data, x-show, x-on), TailwindCSS, vanilla JS, ViewModelRegistry,
$escaper - AVOID: jQuery
$(), KnockoutJSdata-bind, RequireJSdefine()/require(), LESS,data-mage-init - 5 pattern overrides with full code examples for requirejs modules, jquery widgets, template structure, escaping, UI components
Luma/Blank Theme
- USE: RequireJS AMD, jQuery, KnockoutJS, LESS with Magento UI Library,
$.widget(),data-mage-init - AVOID: Global variables, inline scripts, ES modules, Alpine.js
- 5 pattern overrides for requirejs modules, jquery widgets, UI components, template structure, LESS/CSS
Breeze Theme
- USE: Vanilla JS, Breeze component API (
$.widget,$.view), lightweight LESS,fetch()API - AVOID: RequireJS, heavy jQuery, KnockoutJS, uiComponent
- 3 pattern overrides for requirejs modules, jquery widgets, template structure
Porto Theme
- USE: Luma conventions + Porto widgets, Porto LESS variables, child theme pattern
- AVOID: Modifying core Porto files, hardcoded colors/fonts
- 3 pattern overrides for template structure, LESS/CSS, requirejs modules
Custom Themes
Create your own theme standards by placing JSON files in ~/.magento-mcp/themes/:
{
"id": "my-theme",
"name": "My Custom Theme",
"version": "1.0.0",
"description": "Custom standards for my project",
"technologies": {
"use": ["React", "TailwindCSS"],
"avoid": ["jQuery"]
},
"validationRules": [
{
"pattern": "\\$\\(",
"fileTypes": ["js", "phtml"],
"severity": 8,
"type": "warning",
"message": "jQuery detected. My Theme uses React.",
"rule": "MyTheme.JS.NoJQuery",
"suggestion": "Use React components instead",
"mode": "discourage"
}
],
"patternOverrides": [],
"bestPractices": ["Use React for interactive UI"]
}
Override the directory with the MAGENTO_MCP_THEME_DIR environment variable.
See src/themes/custom/README.md for full JSON schema documentation.
Knowledge Base Coverage
| Category | Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Security | 8 rules | InsecureFunction, XSS, Superglobal, LanguageConstruct |
| Legacy | 13 rules | Zend to Laminas, Mage::, deprecated configs, ObsoleteConnection |
| PHP | 7 rules | FinalImplementation, Goto, ShortEchoSyntax, ReturnValueCheck |
| Functions | 3 rules | DiscouragedFunction, StaticFunction, DeprecatedWithoutArgument |
| Templates | 2 rules | ThisInTemplate, ObjectManager in templates |
| Less/CSS | 19 rules | AvoidId, Indentation, Colors, ZeroUnits, ImportantProperty |
| GraphQL | 5 rules | ValidTypeName, ValidFieldName, ValidEnumValue |
| Html | 4 rules | SelfClosing, VoidTags, Binding, Directive |
| Framework | 4 rules | Copyright, License headers |
| Exceptions | 3 rules | DirectThrow, ThrowCatch, TryProcessSystemResources |
| + more | 15+ rules | Annotation, Commenting, Performance, SQL, Translation |
| Discouraged Functions | 150+ | file_get_contents, curl_, mysql_, die, sleep, compact... |
| Restricted Classes | 50+ | Zend_Json, Zend_Db, Zend_Log, Varien_, Mage_ ... |
| jQuery Deprecations | 25+ | $.bind, $.live, $.size, $.isFunction, $.browser... |
Severity Levels
| Level | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Error | Critical — security vulnerabilities, forbidden patterns |
| 9 | Warning | Security — possible security issues |
| 8 | Warning | Magento-specific — design violations |
| 7 | Warning | General — code quality issues |
| 6 | Warning | Style — formatting issues |
| 5 | Warning | Documentation — PHPDoc issues |
Project Structure
magento-coding-standard-mcp/
src/
index.ts # MCP server entry point (7 tools)
cli.ts # CLI entry point (--help, --version)
knowledge/ # Coding standards knowledge base
index.ts # Central exports + utility functions
insecure-functions.ts # Forbidden functions (exec, eval, etc.)
discouraged-functions.ts # 150+ discouraged functions
restricted-classes.ts # 50+ restricted classes
xss-escape-methods.ts # XSS escape methods
template-patterns.ts # Template/ViewModel patterns
jquery-deprecations.ts # 25+ jQuery deprecations
severity-rules.ts # 83+ rules with severity levels
themes/ # Theme-specific standards
types.ts # ThemeStandard interfaces
index.ts # Public API
theme-manager.ts # Active theme state management
presets/
hyva.ts # Hyva: Alpine.js + TailwindCSS
luma.ts # Luma: jQuery + RequireJS + LESS
breeze.ts # Breeze: Vanilla JS
porto.ts # Porto: Luma-based + Porto widgets
index.ts # THEME_PRESETS registry
custom/
loader.ts # Loads user JSON themes
README.md # JSON schema documentation
tools/ # MCP tool implementations
index.ts # Tool exports
get-magento-pattern.ts # Pattern lookup (theme-aware)
validate-code.ts # Code validation (theme-aware)
check-security.ts # Security validation
explain-rule.ts # Rule explanations (theme-aware)
list-rules.ts # Rule listing (theme-aware)
manage-theme.ts # Theme management tool
examples/
ai-platform-configs.md # Full config examples for 7 platforms
dist/ # Compiled output (generated)
package.json
tsconfig.json
Development
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build for production
npm run build
# Run in development mode (with hot reload)
npm run dev
# Start the server
npm start
# CLI help
node dist/cli.js --help
# CLI version
node dist/cli.js --version
Requirements
- Node.js >= 18.0.0
- npm >= 8.0.0
Tech Stack
- TypeScript with ESM modules
@modelcontextprotocol/sdkfor MCP protocolzodfor input validation- Zero runtime dependencies beyond MCP SDK and Zod
How It Works
- You connect this MCP server to your AI tool (Claude, Cursor, Gemini, etc.)
- The AI automatically uses the tools when writing Magento code
- Before generating code, it calls
get_magento_patternto get the correct approach - After generating code, it calls
validate_codeto check for violations - Theme standards layer on top — set your theme once and all suggestions adapt
The AI doesn't need special prompting. The MCP tools are described clearly enough that AI assistants naturally call them when working on Magento projects.
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Areas that could use help:
- Additional theme presets (e.g., Magezon, Amasty, custom frameworks)
- More validation rules for edge cases
- Integration tests
- Performance optimizations for large codebases
- Documentation improvements
Adding a New Theme Preset
- Create
src/themes/presets/my-theme.tsfollowing theThemeStandardinterface - Export it from
src/themes/presets/index.ts - Add to
THEME_PRESETSrecord - Run
npm run build— zero errors required
License
MIT - see LICENSE for details.