MCP - Model Context Protocol for Joomla!

MCP is a lightweight, powerful system plugin for Joomla that provides a Model Context Protocol—a simple, task-based API for managing content. It acts as a streamlined bridge between your Joomla website and the modern world of AI, workflow automation, and internal tooling. Learn more at Model Context Protocol.

The Problem

Joomla's built-in REST API is comprehensive, but its complexity can be a hurdle for rapid integration. Modern AI agents and workflow automation platforms thrive on simple, predictable "tools" or endpoints to perform specific actions. They need a clear protocol to interact with external data sources without requiring complex, service-specific configurations.

The Solution: MCP (Model Context Protocol)

MCP establishes a simple protocol for AI models and services to interact with your Joomla content. It provides a flat, single-endpoint API where an action is specified by a task parameter. This design makes it incredibly easy for any application to create, update, or retrieve articles and categories—providing and receiving context through a standardized protocol.

It authenticates using Joomla's native API Token system, ensuring that all operations are secure and respect the permission levels of the user associated with the token.

Key Features

• Simple Protocol: No complex RESTful routes to learn. Just one URL and a task parameter.
• Secure: Leverages Joomla's core Web Services - Authentication - Token system.
• Lightweight: A single plugin with no external dependencies.
• AI-Ready: Designed to serve as the perfect "tool" for AI agents and automation workflows to read from and write to your Joomla database.
• Essential Endpoints: Covers the most common content management tasks.

The AI & Workflow Automation Superpower

This is where MCP truly shines. It transforms your Joomla CMS from a siloed platform into a dynamic, integrated component of your automated workflows and AI-driven content pipelines.

For Workflow Automation (Make.com, n8n, Zapier, etc.)

Platforms like Make.com and n8n are built around connecting services through API calls. MCP provides the perfect endpoints for their generic "HTTP Request" modules.

Example Use Case: An RSS feed triggers a workflow in n8n. An AI node rewrites the content, and then an HTTP Request node uses the Model Context Protocol (task=mcp.create_article) to instantly publish the new article to your Joomla site.

For AI Agent Frameworks (crewAI, AutoGen, etc.)

AI agents need "tools" to interact with the real world. MCP's endpoints are the perfect building blocks for these tools, allowing agents to autonomously manage content.

Example Use Case: You task a crewAI agent with "Write a blog post about the latest AI trends and publish it to our website."

1. The ResearcherAgent browses the web.
2. The WriterAgent composes the article.
3. The PublisherAgent is given a publish_to_joomla tool, which uses the Model Context Protocol to call the mcp.create_article endpoint. The AI crew completes the entire task without human intervention.

For Internal Tooling & Scripting (Windmill, Superblocks, etc.)

Platforms like Windmill allow you to quickly build internal admin panels and run scripts. MCP provides a clean abstraction layer for interacting with Joomla.

Example Use Case: Your marketing team wants a simple dashboard in Windmill to quickly publish press releases. A developer creates a simple UI. The "Publish" button triggers a script that uses the Model Context Protocol to push the content live instantly.

Version 2.0 Changes

Implemented Improvements

1. Task Consolidation:

   • The manage_article_state and move_article_to_trash tasks have been consolidated into the update_article task. You can now update content and state in a single call.
   • Use {"article_id": 123, "state": -2} to move to trash, {"article_id": 123, "state": 0} to unpublish, etc.

2. New Features:

   • Added mcp.get_tags task for retrieving all tags
   • Added mcp.info task for plugin information and authentication status
   • Enhanced filtering and pagination support for get_articles

3. Code Architecture:

   • Completely refactored with organized handler classes
   • Improved authentication system
   • Better error handling and validation
   • Streamlined JSON responses with timestamps

Installation & Setup

1. Download: Download the latest plg_system_mcp_vX.X.X.zip file from the Releases page.
2. Install: In your Joomla Administrator panel, go to System -> Install -> Extensions and upload the zip file.
3. Enable Plugin: Go to System -> Manage -> Plugins and search for "MCP". Enable the plugin.
4. Generate a User API Token:
   • Go to Users -> Manage and select the user you want to grant API access to. This user's permissions will be respected.
   • Click the "Joomla API Token" tab.
   • Click "Create a New Token" to generate an API key. Copy this key securely.

API Usage

Note: This is Version 2.0 with consolidated API tasks and improved architecture.

• Endpoint: https://www.yoursite.com/index.php
• Method: POST
• Authentication Header: X-Joomla-Token: YOUR_JOOMLA_API_TOKEN
• Query Parameter: task=mcp.your_task

Available Tasks

Example: Full curl Request

Here's how to create a new, published article in category ID 8.

curl -X POST \
  -H "X-Joomla-Token: YOUR_JOOMLA_API_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title": "New Article via MCP", "articletext": "<p>This content was published by an automated workflow!</p>", "catid": 8, "published": true}' \
  "[https://www.yoursite.com/index.php?task=mcp.create_article](https://www.yoursite.com/index.php?task=mcp.create_article)"

Using MCP with Workflow Automation Tools

n8n Integration

1. Create an HTTP Node:

   • Add an HTTP Request node to your workflow.
   • Set the Method to POST.
   • Set the URL to https://<your_joomla_website_url>/index.php.
   • Add a query parameter: task=mcp.<your_task> (e.g., task=mcp.create_article).

2. Add Headers:

   • Add a header: X-Joomla-Token with the value <your_joomla_api_token>.

3. Add JSON Body:

   • Add the JSON payload for the task you want to perform (e.g., creating or updating an article).

Make.com Integration

1. Create a Scenario:

   • Add an HTTP module to your scenario.
   • Set the Method to POST.
   • Set the URL to https://<your_joomla_website_url>/index.php.

2. Add Query Parameters:

   • Add a query parameter: task=mcp.<your_task> (e.g., task=mcp.get_article).

3. Add Headers:

   • Add a header: X-Joomla-Token with the value <your_joomla_api_token>.

4. Add JSON Body:

   • Add the JSON payload for the task you want to perform.