3GPP MCP Server

# Installation Guide - 30 Seconds to Expert Guidance **Goal**: Get the 3GPP MCP Server running and integrated with your AI assistant in 30 seconds **Result**: Transform any compatible AI from generic responses to expert-level 3GPP guidance --- ## Quick Prerequisites Check Before starting, make sure you have: - **Node.js 18+** - [Download here](https://nodejs.org/) if needed (NPX included automatically) - **MCP-compatible AI assistant** (Claude Desktop recommended) - **30 seconds** of focused time - **Terminal/Command prompt** access **Don't worry if you're not technical** - this is one simple command! --- ## Step 1: Direct MCP Setup (30 seconds) ### Option A: Claude Desktop (Simplest Method) **Just one command - no installation, no git clone, no configuration files:** ```bash claude mcp add 3gpp-charging npx 3gpp-mcp-charging@latest serve ``` **Done!** That's it. The MCP server runs directly from NPM on-demand. ### Option B: Manual MCP Configuration (All Clients) **Claude Desktop** (`~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`): ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-charging": { "command": "npx", "args": ["3gpp-mcp-charging@latest", "serve"], "description": "3GPP Charging & Billing Expert Guidance" } } } ``` **VS Code** (settings.json): ```json { "mcp.servers": { "3gpp-charging": { "command": "npx", "args": ["3gpp-mcp-charging@latest", "serve"], "description": "3GPP Charging & Billing Expert Guidance" } } } ``` --- ## Step 2: Auto-Configuration Alternative (1 minute) **If you prefer guided installation:** ```bash npx 3gpp-mcp-charging@latest init # Or client-specific npx 3gpp-mcp-charging@latest init --client claude ``` --- ## Step 3: Backup Method (If NPX Fails) **Manual installation from source:** ```bash # Download the source code git clone https://github.com/edhijlu/3gpp-mcp-server.git cd 3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2 # Install and build npm install npm run build # Build the server npm run build # Test the MCP server npm run mcp ``` **You should see**: ``` Starting 3GPP MCP Server v2... Guidance engine initialized successfully 3GPP MCP Server v2 is running ``` **Success!** Press `Ctrl+C` to stop the test. Your server is ready. --- ## Step 2: Connect to Your AI Assistant (2 minutes) ### Find Your AI Assistant Configuration **For Claude Desktop:** **On Windows**: - File location: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` - Or open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer **On Mac**: - File location: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` - Or open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer **On Linux**: - File location: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` ### Add the 3GPP MCP Server **For Claude Desktop:** **Option A: Use Generated Configuration (Recommended)** If you used the setup script, it created a configuration file with the correct paths for your system. For Claude Desktop users: 1. Copy the contents of `claude_desktop_config_generated.json` 2. Paste into your Claude Desktop configuration file **For other MCP-compatible AI assistants:** 1. Use the generated configuration as a reference 2. Follow your AI assistant's specific MCP server setup instructions 3. Adapt the configuration format as needed for your platform **Option B: Manual Configuration** Open the configuration file and add this (replace `/path/to/` with your actual path): ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "node", "args": ["dist/index.js"], "cwd": "/path/to/3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2", "description": "Expert 3GPP telecommunications guidance" } } } ``` **Real example for Windows**: ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "node", "args": ["dist/index.js"], "cwd": "C:\\Users\\YourName\\3gpp-mcp-server\\3gpp-mcp-server-v2", "description": "Expert 3GPP telecommunications guidance" } } } ``` **Real example for Mac/Linux**: ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "node", "args": ["dist/index.js"], "cwd": "/Users/yourname/3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2", "description": "Expert 3GPP telecommunications guidance" } } } ``` **Additional Options:** For development mode with extra logging: ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "npm", "args": ["run", "mcp:dev"], "cwd": "/path/to/3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2", "description": "3GPP MCP Server (Development Mode)", "env": { "NODE_ENV": "development" } } } } ``` ### Restart Claude Desktop Close and reopen Claude Desktop to load the new configuration. --- ## Step 3: Verify It's Working (1 minute) ### Test Query In your AI assistant, ask this exact question: ``` Can you give me a strategic learning path for understanding 5G authentication, suitable for someone with technical background but new to 3GPP? ``` ### What Success Looks Like You should get a detailed response that includes: - **Specific specification sections** (like "TS 33.501 Section 6") - **Structured learning phases** with timeframes - **Implementation components** and requirements - **Next steps** and related topics - **Expert methodology** and best practices ### What Failure Looks Like If you get a generic response like "5G authentication uses various methods...", the MCP server isn't connected properly. --- ## Troubleshooting Common Issues ### Issue: "Command not found: node" **Problem**: Node.js isn't installed or not in PATH **Solution**: Install Node.js from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/) and restart terminal ### Issue: "npm install fails" **Problem**: Network issues or permissions **Solution**: ```bash # Try with clean cache npm cache clean --force npm install ``` ### Issue: "Build fails with TypeScript errors" **Problem**: Version compatibility issues **Solution**: ```bash # Update dependencies npm update npm run build ``` ### Issue: "AI assistant doesn't show enhanced responses" **Problem**: MCP server not connected properly **Solutions**: 1. Check the configuration file path is correct 2. Verify the `cwd` path points to your actual installation 3. Restart your AI assistant completely 4. Test that `npm start` works in the server directory ### Issue: "Server starts but no improvement in responses" **Problem**: Query not triggering 3GPP domain recognition **Solution**: Make sure your questions include 3GPP-related terms like: - "5G", "3GPP", "LTE", "NAS", "RRC" - "specifications", "TS 24.501", "authentication" - "mobile network", "telecommunications" --- ## Advanced Configuration (Optional) ### Multiple AI Assistants You can connect the same MCP server to multiple AI assistants. The configuration format may vary by platform: **General MCP Configuration Pattern:** ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "node", "args": ["dist/index.js"], "cwd": "/path/to/3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2" } } } ``` **Note:** Consult your AI assistant's documentation for the exact configuration format and MCP support details. ### Custom Port (if needed) ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "node", "args": ["dist/index.js", "--port", "3001"], "cwd": "/path/to/3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2" } } } ``` ### Logging (for debugging) ```json { "mcpServers": { "3gpp-guidance": { "command": "node", "args": ["dist/index.js", "--verbose"], "cwd": "/path/to/3gpp-mcp-server/3gpp-mcp-server-v2" } } } ``` --- ## What You've Just Accomplished ### Before Installation: - Generic AI responses to 3GPP questions - No guidance on where to start learning - Random information without methodology - Hours of confused searching ### After Installation: - Expert-level 3GPP guidance on demand - Structured learning paths for any topic - Specific specification sections and roadmaps - Professional methodology and best practices - Implementation guidance and pitfall avoidance ### You Now Have Access To: 1. **Expert Research Methodology** - How telecommunications professionals approach learning 2. **Specification Navigation** - Direct guidance to relevant sections of 3GPP documents 3. **Implementation Roadmaps** - Step-by-step approaches to building real systems 4. **Industry Best Practices** - Accumulated wisdom from years of professional experience 5. **Current Standards** - Always up-to-date guidance based on latest specifications --- ## Your Next Steps ### Immediate (Next 10 minutes): 1. **[Try Your First Queries](first-steps.md)** - Test different types of 3GPP questions 2. **[See the Difference](../comparisons/side-by-side-examples.md)** - Compare before/after responses 3. **[Pick a Learning Path](../user-journeys/)** - Find guidance for your background ### This Week: 1. **[Complete a Workflow](../how-to/research-5g-authentication/)** - Full example from start to finish 2. **[Explore Advanced Features](../how-to/)** - Discover all available tools and resources 3. **[Share with Colleagues](#)** - Help others transform their 3GPP learning ### This Month: 1. **[Master Your Specialization](../user-journeys/)** - Deep dive into your area of interest 2. **[Apply to Real Projects](#)** - Use expert guidance for actual work 3. **[Contribute Feedback](#)** - Help improve the system for everyone --- ## Getting Help ### If Something Goes Wrong: 1. **Check this guide** - Most issues have solutions above 2. **Test basic functionality** - Ensure `npm start` works 3. **Verify configuration** - Double-check file paths and JSON syntax 4. **Restart everything** - Close AI assistant, restart server, try again ### For Advanced Support: - **Documentation**: Comprehensive guides in the `/docs` folder - **Community**: Join telecommunications professionals using MCP - **Issues**: Report problems to help improve the system ### Success Indicators: - **Immediate difference** in response quality for 3GPP questions - **Specific guidance** instead of generic information - **Learning paths** that feel manageable and structured - **Implementation insights** that save time and prevent mistakes --- **Congratulations! You've just transformed your AI assistant into a 3GPP expert consultant.** *Ready to experience the difference? Try asking about any 3GPP topic and prepare to be amazed by the quality of guidance you receive!* --- ## Quick Test Queries to Try Right Now ``` 1. "Give me a beginner's learning path for understanding 5G network architecture" 2. "What specifications should I read to understand NAS protocol implementation?" 3. "How does 5G handover work and which specs define the procedures?" 4. "I need to implement 5G authentication - what components do I need to build?" 5. "Explain the difference between 4G and 5G mobility management" ``` **Each of these should give you structured, expert-level guidance with specific specification references and actionable next steps!**