# Agent Handoff: MCP HTTP Transport & Deployment

## 🎯 **Current Status & Next Mission**

### **✅ COMPLETED: API Key Authentication**

- OAuth successfully replaced with API key authentication
- User permission system intact and working
- Server starts and authenticates requests properly
- **Issue Identified**: "Missing session ID" error suggests HTTP transport needs fixing

### **🔧 KEY ISSUE: Session ID Problem**

**Root Cause Found in Documentation:**

- FastMCP streamable-http requires proper session initialization
- Current stateful mode may be causing session management issues

**Solution Options:**

1. **Try stateless mode**: Add `stateless_http=True` to FastMCP constructor
2. **Add CORS headers**: Configure `expose_headers=["Mcp-Session-Id"]`
3. **Use JSON responses**: Add `json_response=True` for simpler clients

## 📋 **Quick Fix to Test**

In `server_remote.py`, try this change:

```python
# CURRENT (has session issues):
mcp = FastMCP(
    name="Point Topic MCP Remote",
    instructions="Protected UK broadband data analysis server with API key authentication",
    token_verifier=api_key_verifier,
    auth=AuthSettings(...)
)

# TRY THIS (stateless mode):
mcp = FastMCP(
    name="Point Topic MCP Remote",
    instructions="Protected UK broadband data analysis server with API key authentication",
    token_verifier=api_key_verifier,
    stateless_http=True,  # <-- ADD THIS
    auth=AuthSettings(...)
)
```

## 🚀 **Deployment Options Research**

**Best Free Hosting Options:**

1. **Railway** - Best free tier, Docker support, easy deployment
2. **Render** - Simple Python app hosting
3. **Fly.io** - Modern platform, good scaling
4. **AWS Lambda** - Serverless option

**Recommendation: Start with Railway**

- Most generous free tier for persistent services
- Easy Docker deployment
- Can upgrade seamlessly

## 📂 **Critical Files for Next Agent**

### **Working Files (Don't Break These!)**

- `src/auth/api_key_verifier.py` - API key auth working perfectly
- `src/auth/user_manager.py` - User lookup by API key working
- `config/users.yaml` - API keys configured for all users
- `src/tools/mcp_tools.py` - Tool registration working

### **Needs Attention**

- `server_remote.py` - Try stateless_http=True fix
- May need `Dockerfile` for deployment

## 🎯 **Next Agent Action Plan**

### **Phase 1: Fix Session Issue (30 mins)**

1. Try `stateless_http=True` option in FastMCP
2. Test if "Missing session ID" error disappears
3. Verify API key auth still works

### **Phase 2: Deployment (1-2 hours)**

1. Create simple Dockerfile
2. Deploy to Railway or similar platform
3. Test public URL with API keys

### **Phase 3: Documentation (30 mins)**

1. Update colleagues with public server URL
2. Document API key distribution process

## 🔑 **Working API Keys for Testing**

- Peter: `pt_live_sk_7f8e9d0c1b2a3456789abcdef0123456`
- Colleague: `pt_live_sk_a1b2c3d4e5f6789012345678901234ab`

## 📊 **Success Criteria**

- ✅ API key authentication (DONE)
- ⏳ No session ID errors
- ⏳ Public URL accessible to colleagues
- ⏳ MCP clients can connect remotely

## 💡 **Key Reference Files**

- `.dev/official_mcp_sdk_readme.md` - Lines 1064-1098 for HTTP transport config
- `server_remote.py` - Current working server with API keys
- Authentication is SOLID - focus on transport & deployment!

**The magic works locally, now make it work globally! ✨**
