photon-mcp-apps.md

Photon MCP Apps

MCP App · UI in chat

from"portel-dev"

100

Portel maintains Photon, a TypeScript framework that derives an MCP server, CLI and human-facing Beam interface from one typed capability. Adding an @ui asset also advertises a ui:// resource so the same component can render as an embedded app in compatible chat hosts.

Not for: A ready-made business application. Photon is a developer framework that executes trusted TypeScript capability code; you define, review and operate the actual tools and their authorization.

Source and setup verified on 2026-11-05

Developer Tools

TypeScriptframeworkcode generationembedded UI

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Quick facts

Maintainer: Portel (official Photon project)
npm package: @portel/photon 1.38.1
Runtime: Node.js 20+ and Bun 1.0+
UI declaration: @ui asset on a Photon class or method
UI evidence: Generated ui:// resource rendered in Claude and ChatGPT

What you can do

Derive MCP tools from TypeScript methods and types
Generate CLI commands and the Beam web interface
Attach custom HTML or web-component UI with @ui
Expose local stdio MCP or a public HTTPS /mcp endpoint
Add schedules, webhooks, retries, state and audit history

Requirements

Node.js 20 or later
Bun 1.0 or later for the documented global install
A reviewed .photon.ts capability file
An MCP Apps-compatible host for embedded UI

setup.md

# 1. Install Photon

$bun add -g @portel/photon

# 2. Create a capability

$photon new my-tool

# 3. Add an embedded view

Create the UI asset and reference it with @ui in the Photon source.

# 4. Register it with Claude Desktop

$photon mcp install my-tool

# Photon CLI

bun add -g @portel/photon
photon new my-tool
photon mcp install my-tool

Restart Claude Desktop after installation. The generated Photon file can live in the project directory or ~/.photon/.

Always confirm the latest setup instructions with the maintainer before installing.

>Questions

Is Photon itself an MCP App?

Photon is a framework that serves generated MCP servers. A Photon with @ui advertises an embedded app resource linked to its tool result.

Do I need to write separate MCP and web implementations?

No. Photon derives MCP, CLI and Beam interfaces from the same typed TypeScript method; @ui adds the custom embedded surface.

Can ChatGPT use a local stdio Photon?

ChatGPT developer mode needs a public HTTPS /mcp endpoint. Claude Desktop can run the documented local stdio installation.

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