Form.io

You can run a Form.io MCP Server that lets AI assistants interact with Form.io to list, read, create, update, and delete forms using natural language. It enforces ownership rules so only MCP-created forms can be modified, helping you safely automate form management while keeping your existing forms intact.

How to use

Use an MCP client to connect to the Form.io MCP Server and perform create, read, update, and delete operations on your Form.io forms through natural language. You can list all forms, fetch complete form schemas, create new forms from descriptions, update existing MCP-created forms, and delete forms created by the MCP. A component builder helps you craft properly structured components, and safety guardrails ensure that only forms marked as MCP-created can be modified or removed.

How to install

# Prerequisites
node --version     # Node.js should be >= 18.0.0
which curl || true

# 1. Install dependencies and build
git clone https://example.com/your-formio-mcp-repo.git
cd your-formio-mcp
npm install
npm run build

# 2. Start in STDIO mode (local, for Claude Desktop/stdio clients)
npm run dev

# 3. Start in HTTP mode (remote access for HTTP-based MCP clients)
npm run start:http

Configuration and usage notes

Configuration is driven by environment variables. For STDIO mode, you typically set the Form.io project URL and API key in the environment used when launching the local MCP server. For HTTP mode, you configure the HTTP server, API keys, and CORS settings to enable remote access and client authentication.

Security and guardrails

The MCP server implements ownership controls so MCP-created forms can be updated or deleted, while non-MCP forms are protected from modification. A form is considered MCP-created if its title starts with [MCP] or its path begins with mcp-. If you attempt to update or delete a non-MCP form, you will receive a clear error explaining that the operation is not permitted.

Form preview and real-time updates

The server includes a web-based form preview feature. Generate a preview URL for any form and view a live rendering of the form in the browser. Preview pages subscribe to updates via SSE; changes made through the MCP are reflected in connected previews in real time.

Available tools and core capabilities

The MCP server provides tools to manage Form.io forms and components. Core capabilities include listing forms, fetching a form’s details, creating and updating forms from schemas, deleting forms, and building properly structured form components. A preview URL generator returns a browser-accessible URL to view the rendered form.

Development notes

During development you can run in development mode for automatic rebuilding as you edit code. The server supports both STDIO and HTTP transport modes, and it adheres to the MCP protocol specifications. Use the provided tooling to test real-time updates and previews as you work with your Form.io forms.

Troubleshooting tips

If the server cannot connect to Form.io, verify that the Form.io project URL and API credentials are correct and that the required environment variables are set. For HTTP mode, confirm that the HTTP port is open and that authentication headers are correctly supplied by clients. If real-time previews fail to update, check the SSE connection status and ensure the server is reachable from the client. For preview issues, ensure the form ID in the preview URL matches the form being edited.

Example interactions

Create a new form from a natural language description, list existing forms, fetch complete details for a form, or update a component within an MCP-created form. Use the form preview feature to validate structure and behavior before sharing with collaborators.

Available tools

list_forms

List all forms in your Form.io project with optional pagination and limit.

get_form

Retrieve detailed information about a specific form by ID or path.

create_form

Create a new form from a schema with title, name, path, and components.

update_form

Update an existing form with specified changes.

delete_form

Delete a form from the project, restricted to MCP-created forms.

create_form_component

Helper tool to create well-structured Form.io components.

get_form_preview_url

Generate a browser-accessible preview URL for a form to visualize its structure.