# MCP Task Manager Server
A local Model Context Protocol (MCP) server providing backend tools for client-driven project and task management using a SQLite database.
Overview
This server acts as a persistent backend for local MCP clients (like AI agents or scripts) that need to manage structured task data within distinct projects. It handles data storage and provides a standardized set of tools for interaction, while the strategic workflow logic resides within the client.
Key Features:
- Project-Based: Tasks are organized within distinct projects.
- SQLite Persistence: Uses a local SQLite file (
./data/taskmanager.db
by default) for simple, self-contained data storage. - Client-Driven: Provides tools for clients; does not dictate workflow.
- MCP Compliant: Adheres to the Model Context Protocol for tool definition and communication.
- Task Management: Supports creating projects, adding tasks, listing/showing tasks, updating status, expanding tasks into subtasks, and identifying the next actionable task.
- Import/Export: Allows exporting project data to JSON and importing from JSON to create new projects.
Implemented MCP Tools
The following tools are available for MCP clients:
createProject
:- Description: Creates a new, empty project.
- Params:
projectName
(string, optional, max 255) - Returns:
{ project_id: string }
addTask
:- Description: Adds a new task to a project.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),description
(string, required, 1-1024),dependencies
(string[], optional, max 50),priority
(enum 'high'|'medium'|'low', optional, default 'medium'),status
(enum 'todo'|'in-progress'|'review'|'done', optional, default 'todo') - Returns: Full
TaskData
object of the created task.
listTasks
:- Description: Lists tasks for a project, with optional filtering and subtask inclusion.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),status
(enum 'todo'|'in-progress'|'review'|'done', optional),include_subtasks
(boolean, optional, default false) - Returns: Array of
TaskData
orStructuredTaskData
objects.
showTask
:- Description: Retrieves full details for a specific task, including dependencies and direct subtasks.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),task_id
(string, required) - Returns:
FullTaskData
object.
setTaskStatus
:- Description: Updates the status of one or more tasks.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),task_ids
(string[], required, 1-100),status
(enum 'todo'|'in-progress'|'review'|'done', required) - Returns:
{ success: true, updated_count: number }
expandTask
:- Description: Breaks a parent task into subtasks, optionally replacing existing ones.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),task_id
(string, required),subtask_descriptions
(string[], required, 1-20, each 1-512),force
(boolean, optional, default false) - Returns: Updated parent
FullTaskData
object including new subtasks.
getNextTask
:- Description: Identifies the next actionable task based on status ('todo'), dependencies ('done'), priority, and creation date.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID) - Returns:
FullTaskData
object of the next task, ornull
if none are ready.
exportProject
:- Description: Exports complete project data as a JSON string.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),format
(enum 'json', optional, default 'json') - Returns: JSON string representing the project.
importProject
:- Description: Creates a new project from an exported JSON string.
- Params:
project_data
(string, required, JSON),new_project_name
(string, optional, max 255) - Returns:
{ project_id: string }
of the newly created project.
updateTask
:- Description: Updates specific details (description, priority, dependencies) of an existing task.
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),task_id
(string, required, UUID),description
(string, optional, 1-1024),priority
(enum 'high'|'medium'|'low', optional),dependencies
(string[], optional, max 50, replaces existing) - Returns: Updated
FullTaskData
object.
deleteTask
:- Description: Deletes one or more tasks (and their subtasks/dependency links via cascade).
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID),task_ids
(string[], required, 1-100) - Returns:
{ success: true, deleted_count: number }
deleteProject
:- Description: Permanently deletes a project and ALL associated data. Use with caution!
- Params:
project_id
(string, required, UUID) - Returns:
{ success: true }
(Note: Refer to the corresponding src/tools/*Params.ts
files for detailed Zod schemas and parameter descriptions.)
Getting Started
Prerequisites: Node.js (LTS recommended), npm.
Install Dependencies:
npm install
Run in Development Mode: (Uses
ts-node
andnodemon
for auto-reloading)npm run dev
The server will connect via stdio. Logs (JSON format) will be printed to stderr. The SQLite database will be created/updated in
./data/taskmanager.db
.Build for Production:
npm run build
Run Production Build:
npm start
Configuration
- Database Path: The location of the SQLite database file can be overridden by setting the
DATABASE_PATH
environment variable. The default is./data/taskmanager.db
. - Log Level: The logging level can be set using the
LOG_LEVEL
environment variable (e.g.,debug
,info
,warn
,error
). The default isinfo
.
Project Structure
/src
: Source code./config
: Configuration management./db
: Database manager and schema (schema.sql
)./repositories
: Data access layer (SQLite interaction)./services
: Core business logic./tools
: MCP tool definitions (*Params.ts) and implementation (*Tool.ts)./types
: Shared TypeScript interfaces (currently minimal, mostly in repos/services)./utils
: Logging, custom errors, etc.createServer.ts
: Server instance creation.server.ts
: Main application entry point.
/dist
: Compiled JavaScript output./docs
: Project documentation (PRD, Feature Specs, RFC)./data
: Default location for the SQLite database file (created automatically).tasks.md
: Manual task tracking file for development.- Config files (
package.json
,tsconfig.json
,.eslintrc.json
, etc.)
Linting and Formatting
- Lint:
npm run lint
- Format:
npm run format
(Code is automatically linted/formatted on commit via Husky/lint-staged).