Fixed MCP Server implementation

.github/workflows/build-cli.yml

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Setup .NET
       uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
       with:
-        dotnet-version: 10.0.x
+        dotnet-version: 9.0.x
 
     - name: Restore dependencies
       run: dotnet restore src/ExcelMcp.CLI/ExcelMcp.CLI.csproj
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@ jobs:
     - name: Verify CLI build
       run: |
         # Check excelcli main executable
-        if (Test-Path "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/excelcli.exe") {
+        if (Test-Path "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/excelcli.exe") {
           Write-Output "✅ excelcli.exe built successfully"
-          $version = (Get-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/excelcli.exe").VersionInfo.FileVersion
+          $version = (Get-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/excelcli.exe").VersionInfo.FileVersion
           Write-Output "Version: $version"
 
           # Test CLI help command (safe - no Excel COM required)
-          $helpOutput = & "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/excelcli.exe" --help
+          $helpOutput = & "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/excelcli.exe" --help
           if ($helpOutput -match "Excel Command Line Interface") {
             Write-Output "✅ CLI help command working"
             Write-Output "📋 Help output preview: $($helpOutput | Select-Object -First 3 | Out-String)"
@@ -78,4 +78,4 @@ jobs:
       uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
       with:
         name: ExcelMcp-CLI-${{ github.sha }}
-        path: src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/
+        path: src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/

.github/workflows/build-mcp-server.yml

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Setup .NET
       uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
       with:
-        dotnet-version: 10.0.x
+        dotnet-version: 9.0.x
 
     - name: Restore dependencies
       run: dotnet restore src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/ExcelMcp.McpServer.csproj
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@ jobs:
     - name: Verify MCP Server build
       run: |
         # Check MCP Server executable
-        if (Test-Path "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net10.0/Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer.exe") {
+        if (Test-Path "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net9.0/Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer.exe") {
           Write-Output "✅ Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer.exe built successfully"
-          $mcpVersion = (Get-Item "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net10.0/Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer.exe").VersionInfo.FileVersion
+          $mcpVersion = (Get-Item "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net9.0/Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer.exe").VersionInfo.FileVersion
           Write-Output "📦 MCP Server Version: $mcpVersion"
 
           # Check for MCP server.json configuration
-          if (Test-Path "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net10.0/.mcp/server.json") {
+          if (Test-Path "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net9.0/.mcp/server.json") {
             Write-Output "✅ MCP server.json configuration found"
           } else {
             Write-Warning "⚠️ MCP server.json configuration not found"
@@ -69,4 +69,4 @@ jobs:
       uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
       with:
         name: ExcelMcp-MCP-Server-${{ github.sha }}
-        path: src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net10.0/
+        path: src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net9.0/

.github/workflows/codeql.yml

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Setup .NET
       uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
       with:
-        dotnet-version: 10.0.x
+        dotnet-version: 9.0.x
 
     # Initializes the CodeQL tools for scanning
     - name: Initialize CodeQL

.github/workflows/publish-nuget.yml

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Setup .NET
       uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
       with:
-        dotnet-version: 10.0.x
+        dotnet-version: 9.0.x
 
     - name: Extract version from tag
       id: version

.github/workflows/release-cli.yml

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Setup .NET
       uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
       with:
-        dotnet-version: 10.0.x
+        dotnet-version: 9.0.x
 
     - name: Update CLI Version
       run: |
@@ -60,11 +60,11 @@ jobs:
         New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version" -Force
 
         # Copy CLI files
-        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/excelcli.exe" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
-        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/excelcli.dll" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
-        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.Core.dll" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
-        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/excelcli.runtimeconfig.json" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
-        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net10.0/*.dll" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/" -Exclude "excelcli.dll", "Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.Core.dll"
+        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/excelcli.exe" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
+        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/excelcli.dll" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
+        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.Core.dll" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
+        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/excelcli.runtimeconfig.json" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/"
+        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.CLI/bin/Release/net9.0/*.dll" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/" -Exclude "excelcli.dll", "Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.Core.dll"
 
         # Copy documentation
         Copy-Item "docs/CLI.md" "release/ExcelMcp-CLI-$version/README.md"
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ jobs:
         $quickStartContent += "- **GitHub**: https://github.com/sbroenne/mcp-server-excel`n`n"
         $quickStartContent += "## Requirements`n`n"
         $quickStartContent += "- Windows OS with Microsoft Excel installed`n"
-        $quickStartContent += "- .NET 10.0 runtime`n"
+        $quickStartContent += "- .NET 9.0 runtime`n"
         $quickStartContent += "- Excel 2016+ (for COM interop)`n`n"
         $quickStartContent += "## Features`n`n"
         $quickStartContent += "- 40+ Excel automation commands`n"
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ jobs:
         $releaseNotes += "``````n`n"
         $releaseNotes += "### Requirements`n"
         $releaseNotes += "- Windows OS with Microsoft Excel installed`n"
-        $releaseNotes += "- .NET 10.0 runtime`n"
+        $releaseNotes += "- .NET 9.0 runtime`n"
         $releaseNotes += "- Excel 2016+ (for COM interop)`n`n"
         $releaseNotes += "### Documentation`n"
         $releaseNotes += "- Complete Command Reference: COMMANDS.md in package`n"

.github/workflows/release-mcp-server.yml

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Setup .NET
       uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
       with:
-        dotnet-version: 10.0.x
+        dotnet-version: 9.0.x
 
     - name: Update MCP Server Version
       run: |
@@ -37,7 +37,20 @@ jobs:
         $mcpContent = $mcpContent -replace '<FileVersion>[\d\.]+\.[\d\.]+</FileVersion>', "<FileVersion>$version.0</FileVersion>"
         Set-Content $mcpCsprojPath $mcpContent
 
-        Write-Output "Updated MCP Server version to $version"
+        # Update MCP Server configuration
+        $serverJsonPath = "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/.mcp/server.json"
+        $serverContent = Get-Content $serverJsonPath -Raw
+
+        # Update main version field (near top of file, not in _meta section)
+        $serverContent = $serverContent -replace '(\s*"version":\s*)"[\d\.]+"(\s*,\s*\n\s*"title")' , "`$1`"$version`"`$2"
+
+        # Update package version in packages array (specifically after identifier field)
+        $serverContent = $serverContent -replace '("identifier":\s*"Sbroenne\.ExcelMcp\.McpServer",\s*\n\s*"version":\s*)"[\d\.]+"', "`$1`"$version`""
+
+        Set-Content $serverJsonPath $serverContent
+
+        Write-Output "Updated MCP Server project version to $version"
+        Write-Output "Updated MCP Server configuration version to $version"
 
         # Set environment variable for later steps
         echo "PACKAGE_VERSION=$version" >> $env:GITHUB_ENV
@@ -68,7 +81,7 @@ jobs:
         New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "release/ExcelMcp-MCP-Server-$version" -Force
 
         # Copy MCP Server files
-        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net10.0/*" "release/ExcelMcp-MCP-Server-$version/" -Recurse
+        Copy-Item "src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/bin/Release/net9.0/*" "release/ExcelMcp-MCP-Server-$version/" -Recurse
 
         # Copy documentation
         Copy-Item "README.md" "release/ExcelMcp-MCP-Server-$version/"
@@ -98,7 +111,7 @@ jobs:
         $readmeContent += "- Excel Development Focus - Power Query, VBA, worksheets`n`n"
         $readmeContent += "## Requirements`n`n"
         $readmeContent += "- Windows OS with Microsoft Excel installed`n"
-        $readmeContent += "- .NET 10.0 runtime`n"
+        $readmeContent += "- .NET 9.0 runtime`n"
         $readmeContent += "- Excel 2016+ (for COM interop)`n`n"
         $readmeContent += "## License`n`n"
         $readmeContent += "MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.`n"
@@ -153,7 +166,7 @@ jobs:
         $releaseNotes += "- excel_vba - VBA script management (list, export, import, update, run, delete)`n`n"
         $releaseNotes += "### Requirements`n"
         $releaseNotes += "- Windows OS with Microsoft Excel installed`n"
-        $releaseNotes += "- .NET 10.0 runtime`n"
+        $releaseNotes += "- .NET 9.0 runtime`n"
         $releaseNotes += "- Excel 2016+ (for COM interop)`n`n"
         $releaseNotes += "### Documentation`n"
         $releaseNotes += "- Configuration Guide: See README.md in package`n"

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+    "cSpell.words": [
+        "Sbroenne"
+    ]
+}

README.md

@@ -26,68 +26,92 @@ A **Model Context Protocol (MCP) server** that enables **AI assistants** like Gi
 
 ## 🚀 Quick Start
 
-### Install MCP Server using Microsoft's NuGet MCP Approach (Recommended)
+### Install & Configure (2 Steps)
+
+#### Step 1: Install .NET 10 SDK
 
 ```powershell
-# Install .NET 10 SDK first (required for dnx command)
 winget install Microsoft.DotNet.SDK.10
-
-# Download and execute MCP server using dnx
-dnx Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer@latest --yes
 ```
 
-The `dnx` command automatically downloads the latest version from NuGet.org and executes the MCP server. This follows Microsoft's official [NuGet MCP approach](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/nuget/concepts/nuget-mcp) for packaging and distributing MCP servers.
-
-> **Note:** The MCP server will appear to "hang" after startup - this is expected behavior as it waits for MCP protocol messages from your AI assistant.
-
-### Configure with AI Assistants
+#### Step 2: Configure GitHub Copilot MCP Server
 
-**GitHub Copilot Integration:**
+Create or modify `.vscode/mcp.json` in your workspace:
 
 ```json
-// Add to your VS Code settings.json or MCP client configuration
 {
-  "mcp": {
-    "servers": {
-      "excel": {
-        "command": "dnx",
-        "args": ["Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer@latest", "--yes"],
-        "description": "Excel development operations through MCP"
-      }
+  "servers": {
+    "excel": {
+      "command": "dnx",
+      "args": ["Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer", "--yes"]
     }
   }
 }
 ```
 
+That's it! The `dnx` command automatically downloads and runs the latest version when GitHub Copilot needs it.
+
+## 🧠 **GitHub Copilot Integration**
+
+To make GitHub Copilot aware of ExcelMcp in your own projects:
+
+1. **Copy the Copilot Instructions** to your project:
+
+   ```bash
+   # Copy ExcelMcp automation instructions to your project's .github directory
+   curl -o .github/copilot-instructions.md https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sbroenne/mcp-server-excel/main/docs/excel-powerquery-vba-copilot-instructions.md
+   ```
+
+2. **Configure VS Code** (optional but recommended):
+
+   ```json
+   {
+     "github.copilot.enable": {
+       "*": true,
+       "csharp": true,
+       "powershell": true,
+       "yaml": true
+     }
+   }
+   ```
+
+### **Effective Copilot Prompting**
+
+With the ExcelMcp instructions installed, Copilot will automatically suggest Excel operations through the MCP server. Here's how to get the best results:
+
+```text
+"Use the excel MCP server to..." - Reference the configured server name
+"Create an Excel workbook with Power Query that..." - Natural language Excel tasks
+"Help me debug this Excel automation issue..." - For troubleshooting assistance
+"Export the VBA code from this Excel file..." - Specific Excel operations
+```
+
+### Alternative AI Assistants
+
 **Claude Desktop Integration:**
 
+Add to your Claude Desktop MCP configuration:
+
 ```json
-// Add to Claude Desktop MCP configuration
 {
   "mcpServers": {
     "excel": {
       "command": "dnx",
-      "args": ["Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer@latest", "--yes"]
+      "args": ["Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer", "--yes"]
     }
   }
 }
 ```
 
-### Build from Source
+**Direct Command Line Testing:**
 
 ```powershell
-# Clone and build
-git clone https://github.com/sbroenne/mcp-server-excel.git
-cd mcp-server-excel
-dotnet build -c Release
-
-# Run MCP server
-dotnet run --project src/ExcelMcp.McpServer
-
-# Run tests (requires Excel installed locally)
-dotnet test --filter "Category=Unit"
+# Test the MCP server directly
+dnx Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer --yes
 ```
 
+> **Note:** The MCP server will appear to "hang" after startup - this is expected behavior as it waits for MCP protocol messages from your AI assistant.
+
 ## ✨ Key Features
 
 - 🤖 **MCP Protocol Integration** - Native support for AI assistants through Model Context Protocol
@@ -109,7 +133,6 @@ dotnet test --filter "Category=Unit"
 | **[🔧 ExcelMcp.CLI](docs/CLI.md)** | Command-line interface for direct Excel automation |
 | **[📋 Command Reference](docs/COMMANDS.md)** | Complete reference for all 40+ CLI commands |
 | **[⚙️ Installation Guide](docs/INSTALLATION.md)** | Building from source and installation options |
-| **[🤖 GitHub Copilot Integration](docs/COPILOT.md)** | Using ExcelMcp with GitHub Copilot |
 | **[🔧 Development Workflow](docs/DEVELOPMENT.md)** | Contributing guidelines and PR requirements |
 | **[📦 NuGet Publishing](docs/NUGET_TRUSTED_PUBLISHING.md)** | Trusted publishing setup for maintainers |
 
@@ -148,14 +171,14 @@ dotnet test --filter "Category=Unit"
 
 ## 6️⃣ MCP Tools Overview
 
-The MCP server provides 6 resource-based tools for AI assistants:
+The MCP server provides 6 focused resource-based tools for AI assistants:
 
-- **excel_file** - File management (create, validate, check-exists)
-- **excel_powerquery** - Power Query operations (list, view, import, export, update, refresh, delete)
-- **excel_worksheet** - Worksheet operations (list, read, write, create, rename, copy, delete, clear, append)
-- **excel_parameter** - Named range management (list, get, set, create, delete)
-- **excel_cell** - Cell operations (get-value, set-value, get-formula, set-formula)
-- **excel_vba** - VBA script management (list, export, import, update, run, delete)
+- **excel_file** - Excel file creation (1 action: create-empty) 🎯 *Only Excel-specific operations*
+- **excel_powerquery** - Power Query M code management (11 actions: list, view, import, export, update, delete, set-load-to-table, set-load-to-data-model, set-load-to-both, set-connection-only, get-load-config)
+- **excel_worksheet** - Worksheet operations and bulk data handling (9 actions: list, read, write, create, rename, copy, delete, clear, append)
+- **excel_parameter** - Named ranges as configuration parameters (5 actions: list, get, set, create, delete)
+- **excel_cell** - Individual cell precision operations (4 actions: get-value, set-value, get-formula, set-formula)
+- **excel_vba** - VBA macro management and execution (6 actions: list, export, import, update, run, delete)
 
 > 🧠 **[Complete MCP Server Guide →](src/ExcelMcp.McpServer/README.md)** - Detailed MCP integration and AI examples
 

Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.sln

@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "ExcelMcp.Core", "src\ExcelM
 EndProject
 Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "ExcelMcp.McpServer", "src\ExcelMcp.McpServer\ExcelMcp.McpServer.csproj", "{C9CF661A-9104-417F-A3EF-F9D5E4D59681}"
 EndProject
+Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "ExcelMcp.Core.Tests", "tests\ExcelMcp.Core.Tests\ExcelMcp.Core.Tests.csproj", "{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}"
+EndProject
 Global
 	GlobalSection(SolutionConfigurationPlatforms) = preSolution
 		Debug|Any CPU = Debug|Any CPU
@@ -87,6 +89,18 @@ Global
 		{C9CF661A-9104-417F-A3EF-F9D5E4D59681}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
 		{C9CF661A-9104-417F-A3EF-F9D5E4D59681}.Release|x86.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
 		{C9CF661A-9104-417F-A3EF-F9D5E4D59681}.Release|x86.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Debug|Any CPU.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Debug|x64.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Debug|x64.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Debug|x86.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Debug|x86.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Release|Any CPU.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Release|x86.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7}.Release|x86.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
 	EndGlobalSection
 	GlobalSection(SolutionProperties) = preSolution
 		HideSolutionNode = FALSE
@@ -97,5 +111,6 @@ Global
 		{C2345678-2345-2345-2345-23456789ABCD} = {0AB3BF05-4346-4AA6-1389-037BE0695223}
 		{819048D2-BF4F-4D6C-A7C3-B37869988003} = {827E0CD3-B72D-47B6-A68D-7590B98EB39B}
 		{C9CF661A-9104-417F-A3EF-F9D5E4D59681} = {827E0CD3-B72D-47B6-A68D-7590B98EB39B}
+		{FFEFF3B4-C490-4255-8A47-C1FFA23A97D7} = {0AB3BF05-4346-4AA6-1389-037BE0695223}
 	EndGlobalSection
 EndGlobal