feat: add MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for elmclient

[filhocf]

Summary

Adds a built-in MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that exposes elmclient functionality as tools for AI assistants (Claude, GPT, Copilot, etc.).

Closes #125

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol is an open standard for connecting AI assistants to external tools and data sources. It's supported by Claude, VS Code Copilot, and many other AI tools.

Changes

• elmclient/mcp_server.py — MCP server with 3 tools:

  • list_projects(domain) — List accessible projects (ccm/rm/qm)
  • list_workitems(project, query, pagesize) — Query work items via OSLC
  • get_workitem(project, id) — Get work item details

• setup.py — Added:

  • extras_require={"mcp": ["mcp[cli]"]} — Optional dependency
  • elm-mcp-server console_scripts entry point

Installation

pip install 'elmclient[mcp]'

Configuration

Via environment variables:

export ELM_HOST=https://your-elm-server.com
export ELM_USER=username
export ELM_PASSWORD=password
elm-mcp-server

Or via ~/.elm_credentials.json:

{"host": "https://...", "username": "...", "password": "..."}

MCP Client Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "elm": {
      "command": "elm-mcp-server",
      "env": {
        "ELM_HOST": "https://your-elm-server.com",
        "ELM_USER": "username",
        "ELM_PASSWORD": "password"
      }
    }
  }
}

Notes

• MCP dependency is optional — existing users are not affected
• Follows the same patterns as existing elmclient code
• Tested with a production ELM instance

[filhocf]

@barny gentle ping — this PR adds an MCP server for elmclient (3 tools: list_projects, list_workitems, get_workitem). We've been running it in production daily against our ELM instance. Happy to address any feedback.

Also, heads up on #131 — the represt CLI broke in 0.37.1 (AMApp.add_represt_arguments missing). Doesn't affect the library API, but might want a patch release.

[filhocf]

Moved per your feedback in #125:

• elmclient/mcp_server.py → elmclient/examples/elm_mcp_server.py
• Entry point updated: elm-mcp-server=elmclient.examples.elm_mcp_server:main

Follows the same pattern as oslcquery, batchquery, etc. No functional changes.