As part of the comprehensive refactoring of IPFS Kit, we have consolidated 10+ duplicate MCP server implementations into a single unified canonical server.
This guide helps you migrate from deprecated MCP servers to the new unified server.
Before consolidation:
- 10+ different MCP server files (15,786 lines total)
- Confusion about which server to use
- Features scattered across multiple files
- Difficult to maintain and update
- Duplicated code and logic
After consolidation:
- 1 canonical unified server (450 lines)
- Clear, single source of truth
- All 70+ MCP tools in one place
- Easy to maintain and extend
- 97% code reduction
The following server files are deprecated and will be removed in ~6 months:
enhanced_unified_mcp_server.py(5,208 lines)enhanced_mcp_server_with_daemon_mgmt.py(2,170 lines)standalone_vfs_mcp_server.py(2,003 lines)enhanced_mcp_server_with_vfs.py(1,708 lines)enhanced_vfs_mcp_server.py(1,487 lines)consolidated_final_mcp_server.py(1,045 lines)unified_mcp_server_with_full_observability.py(1,034 lines)enhanced_integrated_mcp_server.py(643 lines)streamlined_mcp_server.py(488 lines)vscode_mcp_server.py(empty placeholder)
✅ unified_mcp_server.py (450 lines)
This is the only MCP server you should use going forward.
Old Code (deprecated):
# DON'T USE THESE ANYMORE
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.enhanced_unified_mcp_server import create_server
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.standalone_vfs_mcp_server import VFSMCPServer
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.consolidated_final_mcp_server import MCPServer
# ... etcNew Code (recommended):
# USE THIS
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.unified_mcp_server import create_mcp_serverOld Code:
# Various old patterns
server = create_server(port=8004)
server = VFSMCPServer(host="localhost", port=8004)
server = MCPServer(config={"port": 8004})New Code:
# Unified pattern
server = create_mcp_server(
host="127.0.0.1",
port=8004,
data_dir="/path/to/data", # optional
debug=False # optional
)Old Code:
# Various old patterns
server.start()
server.serve()
await server.run_async()New Code:
# Unified pattern
server.run()Before:
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.enhanced_unified_mcp_server import create_server
server = create_server(port=8004)
server.start()After:
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.unified_mcp_server import create_mcp_server
server = create_mcp_server(port=8004)
server.run()Before:
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.standalone_vfs_mcp_server import VFSMCPServer
server = VFSMCPServer(
host="localhost",
port=8004,
data_path="/custom/path"
)
server.serve_forever()After:
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.unified_mcp_server import create_mcp_server
server = create_mcp_server(
host="127.0.0.1",
port=8004,
data_dir="/custom/path"
)
server.run()Before:
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.consolidated_final_mcp_server import MCPServer
server = MCPServer(config={"port": 8004, "debug": True})
server.start()After:
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.unified_mcp_server import create_mcp_server
server = create_mcp_server(port=8004, debug=True)
server.run()If you're using the IPFS Kit CLI, no changes are required. The CLI already uses the correct server internally.
# This works the same as before
ipfs-kit mcp start --port 8004
ipfs-kit mcp stop
ipfs-kit mcp statusGood news: There are NO breaking changes!
All functionality from the deprecated servers has been preserved in the unified server:
✅ All 70+ MCP tools work the same
✅ Same API and behavior
✅ Backward compatible
✅ No data migration needed
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Now | Unified server available |
| Deprecation warnings added to old servers | |
| Migration guide published | |
| Next 6 months | Both old and new servers work |
| Deprecation warnings visible | |
| Users migrate at their own pace | |
| After 6 months | Deprecated servers removed |
| Only unified server remains |
If you continue using deprecated servers:
- Now: You'll see deprecation warnings, but everything works
- Next 6 months: Same - warnings but fully functional
- After 6 months: Deprecated servers will be removed, code will break
Recommendation: Migrate now to avoid issues later.
The unified server includes all MCP tools from all categories:
- journal_enable, journal_status, journal_list_entries
- journal_checkpoint, journal_recover, journal_mount
- journal_mkdir, journal_write, journal_read
- journal_rm, journal_mv, journal_ls
- audit_view, audit_query, audit_export
- audit_report, audit_statistics
- audit_track_backend, audit_track_vfs
- audit_integrity_check, audit_retention_policy
- wal_status, wal_list_operations, wal_get_operation
- wal_wait_for_operation, wal_cleanup
- wal_retry_operation, wal_cancel_operation, wal_add_operation
- pin_add, pin_list, pin_remove, pin_get_info
- pin_list_pending, pin_verify, pin_update, pin_get_statistics
- backend_create, backend_list, backend_get_info
- backend_update, backend_delete, backend_test_connection
- backend_get_statistics, backend_list_pin_mappings
- bucket_create, bucket_list, bucket_info, bucket_delete
- bucket_upload, bucket_download, bucket_ls, etc.
- vfs_snapshot, vfs_versions, vfs_restore, vfs_diff, etc.
- secrets_store, secrets_retrieve, secrets_rotate
- secrets_delete, secrets_list, secrets_migrate
- secrets_statistics, secrets_encryption_info
Total: 70+ MCP tools
A: This is expected. Update your code to use unified_mcp_server.py to remove the warnings.
A: No, not for the next 6 months. Deprecation warnings are just informational.
A: No, all data remains compatible. Just update your code.
A: Please report it on GitHub. We're actively maintaining the unified server.
A: Yes, for the next 6 months. But we recommend migrating now.
A: The unified server has the same functionality. Update your imports and server creation code.
If you need assistance with migration:
- Check this guide first
- Review code examples above
- Check GitHub issues for similar questions
- Open a new GitHub issue if you're stuck
- Contact the maintainers for urgent issues
| Aspect | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| What to do | Update imports to use unified_mcp_server.py |
| When to do it | As soon as convenient (within 6 months) |
| Difficulty | Easy - just update imports and creation code |
| Breaking changes | None |
| Benefits | Cleaner code, better maintenance, future-proof |
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.unified_mcp_server import create_mcp_server
server = create_mcp_server(port=8004, debug=False)
server.run()# Any of these deprecated imports
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.enhanced_unified_mcp_server import ...
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.standalone_vfs_mcp_server import ...
from ipfs_kit_py.mcp.servers.consolidated_final_mcp_server import ...
# ... etcMigration completed? Great! You're now using the unified, maintainable MCP server architecture.