What is Tins Mcp

TINS-MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that generates software applications from README.md files according to the Zero Source specification, which emphasizes the distribution of only README files without source code.

Use cases

Use cases for TINS-MCP include generating applications for prototypes from documentation, validating project README files to ensure compliance with Zero Source standards, and automating the software generation process in development workflows.

How to use

To use TINS-MCP, clone the repository, install dependencies, build the server, and configure it in your Claude desktop or VS Code extension settings using the provided setup script. You can generate applications from README.md files or validate them against the Zero Source specification.

Key features

Key features of TINS-MCP include generating complete applications from README.md files, validating README files, support for multiple output formats, and the ability to evolve instructions with technology as LLMs improve.

Where to use

TINS-MCP can be used in software development environments, educational settings for teaching programming concepts, and by organizations looking to streamline software distribution and development processes.

TINS-MCP Server

There Is No Software - MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that generates software applications from README.md files following the Zero Source specification.

What is “Zero Source”?

Zero Source is a paradigm shift in software distribution where:

1. Only READMEs are distributed - No source code is included in releases
2. LLMs generate code on demand - Software is reconstructed locally using AI
3. Instructions evolve with technology - The same README produces better code as LLMs improve
4. Standardized format ensures consistency - A structured approach to describing software functionality

Prerequisites

• Node.js 16+
• TypeScript

Installation

1. Clone the repository
2. Install dependencies:

cd TINS-MCP
npm install

3. Build the server:

npm run build

4. Configure the MCP server in your Claude desktop or VS Code extension settings using the provided setup script:

node setup-mcp.cjs

This script will automatically add the TINS-MCP server to your Claude VS Code extension or desktop app configuration.

Note: The setup script uses CommonJS syntax, so it must be run with the .cjs extension.

Usage

This MCP server provides two main tools:

1. Generate From README

Generates a complete application from a README.md file that follows the Zero Source specification.

Parameters:

• readme_path: Path to the README.md file (required)
• output_dir: Directory to output the generated code (optional)
• output_type: Output format - ‘files’ or ‘zip’ (optional, defaults to ‘files’)
• preferred_language: Preferred programming language for code generation (optional)

2. Validate README

Validates a README.md file against the Zero Source specification.

Parameters:

• readme_path: Path to the README.md file (required)

Best Practices

Path Handling

• Always use absolute paths when providing parameters to TINS-MCP server tools:

  ✅ CORRECT: "c:/path/to/project/README.md"
  ❌ INCORRECT: "./README.md" or "README.md"
  

  The TINS-MCP server may not correctly resolve relative paths based on your current working directory.

• Use forward slashes (/) in paths, even on Windows systems, for better cross-platform compatibility.

• For output directories, ensure they exist before running the generator or use absolute paths where TINS can create the directory automatically.

General Usage Tips

• Start with validation: Always use the validate_readme tool first to check if your README follows Zero Source specifications before attempting generation.

• Check the output location: Be aware that the actual output location might differ from what was specified in the output_dir parameter. You may need to copy files to your desired location after generation.

• Specify output parameters clearly:

  • output_dir: Use absolute paths for reliable file placement
  • output_type: Choose “files” for individual files or “zip” for a compressed package
  • preferred_language: Only specify if the README doesn’t already contain a language directive

Configuration

To use this MCP server with Claude, you need to add it to your MCP settings configuration file:

For VS Code extension:

• Edit claude_mcp_settings.json in the extension’s settings directory

For Claude desktop app:

• Edit claude_desktop_config.json in the app’s settings directory

Example configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tins": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "path/to/TINS-MCP/build/index.js"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Development

The server is structured as follows:

• src/index.ts - Main MCP server implementation
• src/parser/ - README parsing and validation
• src/generator/ - Code generation from parsed README
• src/types/ - TypeScript type definitions

To run in development mode:

npm run dev

License

MIT

Testing Your Installation

To verify that your TINS-MCP server is correctly installed and working with Claude:

1. Make sure the MCP server is configured using the setup script
2. Ask Claude to generate an application from a Zero Source README

For example, you can try generating the todo app example:

Please use the TINS-MCP server to generate an application from the examples/todo-app-example.md file.

Claude should use the TINS-MCP server to parse the README and generate a complete todo application based on the specifications.