Regulatory Data Interface Server (MCP Implementation)

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) compliant server engineered to abstract and serve data sourced from the eRegulations API. This intermediary layer furnishes machine learning agents with machine-readable, semantic access to procedural intelligence, simplifying query resolution concerning governmental or administrative requirements.

Core Capabilities

• Standardized protocol gateway for accessing eRegulations datasets.
• Capabilities for querying procedural flows, individual steps, compliance criteria, and fee structures.
• Inclusion of built-in MCP instruction templates to optimize Large Language Model (LLM) tool invocation.
• Simplified deployment via conventional Standard Input/Output (I/O) communication channels.

Deployment Instructions

Preferred Method: Containerization with Docker

The most reliable method for deployment leverages the pre-built Docker image hosted on the GitHub Container Registry (GHCR), ensuring environmental parity.

bash

Obtain the most current iteration (optional)

docker pull ghcr.io/unctad-ai/eregulations-mcp-server:latest

Set the mandatory target endpoint URL and initiate the server

export EREGULATIONS_API_URL="https://your-target-regulatory-endpoint.net" docker run -i --rm -e EREGULATIONS_API_URL ghcr.io/unctad-ai/eregulations-mcp-server

Ensure that the placeholder https://your-target-regulatory-endpoint.net is substituted with the concrete base URL of the eRegulations instance you intend to interface with (e.g., a specific national trade portal API).

The server actively monitors stdin for incoming MCP formatted messages and commits responses to stdout.

Configuration Snippet for AI Clients (e.g., Claude)

This JSON fragment illustrates how an AI client might be configured to invoke the server via Docker:

{ "mcpServers": { "regulatory_lookup": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "EREGULATIONS_API_URL", "ghcr.io/unctad-ai/eregulations-mcp-server:latest" ], "env": { "EREGULATIONS_API_URL": "https://your-target-regulatory-endpoint.net" } } } }

(Note: The EREGULATIONS_API_URL must be correctly specified within the env block for execution.)

Alternative Installation via Smithery

For users of the Smithery platform, the required execution command is available here:

Visit https://smithery.ai/server/@unctad-ai/eregulations-mcp-server to acquire the appropriate installation syntax.

Deprecated Installation Method: npm Registry

~~Direct invocation using npx is discouraged due to potential disparities across execution environments.~~

~~bash

Outdated: Environment variable setup required for npx execution

export EREGULATIONS_API_URL=https://example.com/api && export NODE_ENV=production && npx -y @unctad-ai/eregulations-mcp-server@latest

`~~

Configuration Requirements

The foundational requirement for server operation is specifying the target eRegulations API endpoint URL.

Required Environmental Parameters

• EREGULATIONS_API_URL: (Mandatory) Uniform Resource Locator (URL) pointing to the base of the eRegulations API instance (e.g., https://api-tanzania.tradeportal.org). This value must be propagated to the Docker container via the -e flag.

Exposed Interface Functions (Tools)

The MCP server exposes the following distinct functional interfaces for data querying:

listProcedures

Retrieves a comprehensive catalog of all extant administrative procedures documented within the connected eRegulations system.

getProcedureDetails

Fetches granular, in-depth specifications for an administrative procedure, identified by its unique identifier.

Parameters:

• procedureId: The unique identifier (ID) corresponding to the desired procedure.

getProcedureStep

Obtains descriptive data for a specific sequential element within a defined administrative procedure.

Parameters:

• procedureId: The identifier of the overarching procedure.
• stepId: The identifier for the particular step within that procedure.

searchProcedures

Executes a keyword-based inquiry across the regulatory data set. Caveat: Current implementation behavior may yield results linked to underlying API objectives rather than strictly procedure titles.

Parameters:

• keyword: The term or phrase utilized for the search operation.

Guidance Templates (Prompt Schemas)

The server furnishes pre-defined prompt structures designed to steer LLMs toward correct utilization of the aforementioned interfaces. LLM consumers equipped to process MCP prompt directives will automatically incorporate these schemas to refine their API interaction accuracy.

Development Workflow

bash

Start the server in a development context

npm run start

Execute automated validation suites

npm test

Run tests continuously, restarting on file changes

npm run test:watch

Launch a local client simulation for testing

npm run test-client

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