# current state analysis - jan 26 2026

## what's working (restored to commit d8bea3c state)

### server functionality ✅
- stdio transport for local MCP clients
- tools auto-discovery and registration (9 tools)
- prompts auto-discovery from `src/point_topic_mcp/prompts/` (9 prompts)
- MCP change notifications enabled for tools and prompts
- environment-based conditional tool loading

### files in working state
- `src/point_topic_mcp/server_local.py` - restored from d8bea3c
- `src/point_topic_mcp/core/__init__.py` - restored from d8bea3c  
- `pyproject.toml` - FIXED (was broken in d8bea3c with metadata in wrong section)

### what was broken during this session
1. replaced working `register_prompts(mcp)` with broken `register_templates_as_mcp_prompts(mcp)`
2. created non-functional `prompt_template_loader.py` 
3. broke pyproject.toml structure (but it was already broken in d8bea3c)

## what issue #25 actually needs

### current prompt implementation (working)
located in `src/point_topic_mcp/prompts/`:
- `upc_prompts.py` - 4 prompts with complex arguments
- `sql_prompts.py` - 5 prompts with complex arguments
- auto-discovery via `__init__.py`
- 30 passing tests

### what user wants
- simpler config-based system
- `prompt_templates.json` at root with blank templates
- easy to edit without touching python
- future: api endpoints can update config

## next steps (properly planned)

1. **understand fastmcp prompts properly**
   - read official docs at https://gofastmcp.com/servers/prompts
   - check what decorator signature is
   - understand if arguments are supported
   - see real examples

2. **create minimal working prototype**
   - single json file
   - single loader file
   - test it works with mcp inspector FIRST
   - don't touch existing code until new code works

3. **only then replace old system**
   - delete complex prompts
   - update server_local.py
   - test everything still works

## documentation needed
- fastmcp prompts official docs
- mcp specification for prompts
- check if prompts can have zero arguments or must have parameters

## lesson learned
broke working code by:
- not testing incremental changes
- assuming things work without verification
- changing working imports without checking
- not consulting documentation first
