Mastering the Model Context Protocol with Laravel MCP

Prerequisites

Before diving in, you should have a solid grasp of Laravel, particularly how to handle authentication with Laravel Sanctum. You will also need an MCP-compatible client like Cursor or VS Code to test your server.

Key Libraries & Tools

• Laravel MCP: The core package for building MCP servers.
• Laravel Sanctum: Handles the secure token-based authentication required by AI agents.
• Locket MCP: A demo application showcasing real-world MCP integration.

The Three Pillars: Prompts, Resources, and Tools

To build a functional MCP server, you must implement three core components using php artisan make commands.

Prompts as System Instructions

Prompts act as specialized system instructions. They tell the AI exactly how to interpret user intent within your app's context. For instance, a SummarizeLink prompt might define how the AI should analyze a URL before storing it.

Resources for Data Retrieval

Resources represent the read-only state of your application. They are perfect for providing the AI with data from your database, such as the "last added link."

public function handle()
{
    return Auth::user()->links()->latest()->first();
}

Tools for Actionable Logic

Tools are the "bread and butter" of MCP. Unlike resources, tools use an input schema to perform actions or complex queries. If a user asks to "Add this link," the AI uses a tool with a defined schema to pass the URL to your handle method.

Syntax Notes & Best Practices

Every MCP component requires a handle method and a detailed description. The AI relies on these descriptions to decide which tool to call. Use the inputSchema in your tools to enforce constraints, such as limiting the number of records returned to prevent token overflow.

Tips & Gotchas

Authentication is often the trickiest part. Laravel MCP uses Laravel Sanctum out of the box, allowing for a seamless "Connect" flow within clients like Cursor. Always test your tools locally before deploying to ensure the AI understands your schema descriptions.