Refactor configuration handling and update README for SPICE kernels path

Author: sylvain-guillet

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ jobs:
           dotnet publish "$PROJ" -c Release -r "$RID" \
             -p:PublishSingleFile=true \
             -p:SelfContained=true \
-            -p:PublishTrimmed=false
+            -p:PublishTrimmed=false \
+            -p:IncludeNativeLibrariesForSelfExtract=true
 
           TF=$(dotnet msbuild "$PROJ" -getproperty:TargetFramework -nologo -v:quiet)
           PUB_DIR="$(dirname "$PROJ")/bin/Release/${TF}/${RID}/publish"
@@ -65,18 +66,31 @@ jobs:
           if [[ "$RID" == win* ]]; then
             EXE=$(find "$PUB_DIR" -maxdepth 1 -type f -name "*.exe" | head -n1 || true)
           else
-            EXE=$(find "$PUB_DIR" -maxdepth 1 -type f -perm -u+x | head -n1 || true)
+            EXE=$(find "$PUB_DIR" -maxdepth 1 -type f -perm -u+x -printf '%f\n' -exec test -f "$PUB_DIR/{}" \; -print | head -n1 || true)
+            # Fallback in case -printf isn't supported
+            if [ -z "$EXE" ]; then EXE=$(find "$PUB_DIR" -maxdepth 1 -type f -perm -u+x | head -n1 || true); fi
           fi
 
           if [ -z "$EXE" ]; then
             echo "No executable found in $PUB_DIR" >&2
             ls -la "$PUB_DIR" || true
             exit 1
           fi
+          # Normalize to absolute path
+          if [[ ! "$EXE" = /* ]]; then EXE="$PUB_DIR/$EXE"; fi
           echo "exe=$EXE" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           echo "Executable: $EXE"
 
-      - name: Prepare asset for Release
+          # Detect sidecar native libraries (needed on some RIDs like macOS)
+          SIDECAR=""
+          for pattern in "*.so" "*.dylib"; do
+            CAND=$(find "$PUB_DIR" -maxdepth 1 -type f -name "$pattern" | head -n1 || true)
+            if [ -n "$CAND" ]; then SIDECAR="$CAND"; break; fi
+          done
+          echo "sidecar=$SIDECAR" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          if [ -n "$SIDECAR" ]; then echo "Detected sidecar: $SIDECAR"; else echo "No sidecar native lib detected"; fi
+
+      - name: Prepare native asset
         id: package
         shell: bash
         env:
@@ -88,21 +102,51 @@ jobs:
           if [[ "$RID" == win* ]]; then EXT=".exe"; fi
           BASENAME="mcp-server-stdio-${TAG}-${RID}${EXT}"
           SRC="${{ steps.publish.outputs.exe }}"
-          DEST="${{ steps.publish.outputs.publish_dir }}/$BASENAME"
+          DEST_DIR="$(mktemp -d)"
+          DEST="$DEST_DIR/$BASENAME"
           cp "$SRC" "$DEST"
+          chmod +x "$DEST" || true
           echo "asset=$DEST" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          echo "Packaged asset: $DEST"
+          echo "Prepared native asset: $DEST"
+
+          # If sidecar exists, prepare it with a deterministic name
+          SIDECAR_SRC="${{ steps.publish.outputs.sidecar }}"
+          if [ -n "$SIDECAR_SRC" ]; then
+            SNAME="mcp-server-stdio-${TAG}-${RID}-$(basename "$SIDECAR_SRC")"
+            SC_DEST="$DEST_DIR/$SNAME"
+            cp "$SIDECAR_SRC" "$SC_DEST"
+            echo "sidecar_asset=$SC_DEST" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Prepared sidecar asset: $SC_DEST"
+          else
+            echo "sidecar_asset=" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
 
-      - name: Upload asset to GitHub Release
+      - name: Upload executable to GitHub Release
         uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
         with:
           tag_name: ${{ github.ref_name }}
           files: ${{ steps.package.outputs.asset }}
           fail_on_unmatched_files: true
 
-      - name: Upload executable artifact
+      - name: Upload sidecar (if any) to GitHub Release
+        if: ${{ steps.package.outputs.sidecar_asset != '' }}
+        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
+        with:
+          tag_name: ${{ github.ref_name }}
+          files: ${{ steps.package.outputs.sidecar_asset }}
+          fail_on_unmatched_files: true
+
+      - name: Upload artifact (native executable)
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
           name: io-aerosapce-mcp-${{ github.ref_name }}-${{ matrix.rid }}
           path: ${{ steps.package.outputs.asset }}
           if-no-files-found: error
+
+      - name: Upload artifact (sidecar if any)
+        if: ${{ steps.package.outputs.sidecar_asset != '' }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: io-aerosapce-mcp-${{ github.ref_name }}-${{ matrix.rid }}-sidecar
+          path: ${{ steps.package.outputs.sidecar_asset }}
+          if-no-files-found: error

Data/Data.csproj

@@ -12,79 +12,4 @@
       <PackageReference Include="FuzzySharp" Version="2.0.2" />
     </ItemGroup>
 
-    <ItemGroup>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\de440s.bsp" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\de440s.bsp">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\earth_assoc_itrf93.tf" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\earth_assoc_itrf93.tf">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\earth_fixed.tf" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\earth_fixed.tf">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\earth_latest_high_prec.bpc" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\earth_latest_high_prec.bpc">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\earth_topo_201023.tf" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\earth_topo_201023.tf">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\earthstns_itrf93_201023.bsp" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\earthstns_itrf93_201023.bsp">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\EGM2008_to70_TideFree" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\EGM2008_to70_TideFree">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\geophysical.ker" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\geophysical.ker">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\gm_de440.tpc" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\gm_de440.tpc">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\L1_de431.bsp" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\L1_de431.bsp">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\L2_de431.bsp" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\L2_de431.bsp">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\L4_de431.bsp" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\L4_de431.bsp">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\L5_de431.bsp" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\L5_de431.bsp">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\latest_leapseconds.tls" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\latest_leapseconds.tls">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\moon_080317.tf" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\moon_080317.tf">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\moon_assoc_me.tf" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\moon_assoc_me.tf">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\moon_pa_de421_1900-2050.bpc" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\moon_pa_de421_1900-2050.bpc">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-      <None Remove="SolarSystem\pck00011.tpc" />
-      <Content Include="SolarSystem\pck00011.tpc">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </Content>
-    </ItemGroup>
-
 </Project>

Directory.Build.props

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+<Project>
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)' == 'Release'">
+    <DebugType>none</DebugType>
+    <DebugSymbols>false</DebugSymbols>
+    <EmbedAllSources>false</EmbedAllSources>
+    <IncludeSymbolsInSingleFile>false</IncludeSymbolsInSingleFile>
+    <IncludeNativeLibrariesForSelfExtract>true</IncludeNativeLibrariesForSelfExtract>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+</Project>
+

README.md

@@ -149,19 +149,28 @@ dotnet build
 
 #### 2. Solar System Data Setup
 
-The server requires SPICE kernels for solar system calculations. You can configure the path in multiple ways (in order of priority):
+The server requires SPICE kernels for solar system calculations.
 
-1. **Environment Variable** (Recommended):
+- STDIO server configuration (no appsettings):
+  - Provide the kernels path via CLI or environment variable
+  - Priority: CLI flag > IO_DATA_DIR environment variable
+  - CLI flags: `-k <path>`, `--kernels <path>`, or `--kernels-path <path>`
+
+Examples:
 ```bash
-# Linux/macOS
+# Using CLI flag
+./Server.Stdio -k /path/to/your/spice/kernels
+
+# Using environment variable (Linux/macOS)
 export IO_DATA_DIR="/path/to/your/spice/kernels"
+./Server.Stdio
 
-# Windows
-set IO_DATA_DIR=C:\path\to\your\spice\kernels
+# Windows (PowerShell)
+$env:IO_DATA_DIR="C:\path\to\your\spice\kernels"
+./Server.Stdio.exe
 ```
 
-2. **Configuration File**: Edit `KernelsPath` in `appsettings.json`
-3. **Default Location**: Place files in `Data/SolarSystem/` directory
+- SSE server configuration: may use appsettings.json as before.
 
 **Required Kernel Files:**
 ```
@@ -173,14 +182,18 @@ kernels/
 └── ...                    # Additional kernel files
 ```
 
-- `IO_DATA_DIR`: Override kernels directory path (takes priority over appsettings.json)
-
 #### 3. Choose Transport Method
 
 ##### STDIO Transport (For MCP Clients)
+- Release assets are native executables per OS/RID (no ZIP). Filenames:
+  - mcp-server-stdio-<tag>-linux-x64
+  - mcp-server-stdio-<tag>-win-x64.exe
+  - mcp-server-stdio-<tag>-osx-arm64
+- On macOS, a sidecar native library may be provided (e.g., libIO.Astrodynamics.so). Place it in the same directory as the executable.
+
 ```bash
-cd Server.Stdio
-dotnet run
+# After publishing or downloading a release asset for your OS
+./Server.Stdio -k /path/to/kernels
 ```
 
 ##### SSE Transport (For Web/HTTP)
@@ -211,6 +224,19 @@ Note: Many MCP clients use JSON-based configuration files, but schemas differ pe
 ### Claude Desktop Configuration (STDIO)
 Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:
 
+```json
+{
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "astrodynamics": {
+      "command": "/path/to/Server.Stdio",
+      "args": ["-k", "/path/to/kernels"]
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Alternatively, set an environment variable if your client supports it:
+
 ```json
 {
   "mcpServers": {
@@ -286,9 +312,9 @@ Your support helps keep the hosted server online and the SPICE data current.
 
 ### Common Issues
 
-1. **"Kernels directory does not exist"**: Verify the kernels path exists and contains SPICE files
-2. **"Failed to load kernel"**: Ensure all required kernel files are present and accessible
-3. **Connection errors**: Check firewall settings and port availability
+1. "Kernels directory does not exist": Verify the path passed with `-k` (or `IO_DATA_DIR`) exists and contains SPICE files
+2. "Failed to load kernel": Ensure all required kernel files are present and accessible
+3. Connection errors: Check firewall settings and port availability
 
 ### Log Monitoring
 ```bash

Server.Stdio/Program.cs

@@ -26,49 +26,65 @@ public static async Task<int> Main(string[] args)
             Log.Information("Starting IO-Aerospace MCP server...");
 
             var builder = Host.CreateApplicationBuilder(args);
-            
-            // Obtenir le répertoire de l'exécutable
+
+            // Application base directory (next to the executable)
             var baseDirectory = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory;
             Log.Information("Application base directory: {BaseDirectory}", baseDirectory);
-            
-            // Ajouter la configuration des fichiers appsettings.json avec chemins absolus
-            builder.Configuration
-                .AddJsonFile(Path.Combine(baseDirectory, "appsettings.json"), optional: false, reloadOnChange: true)
-                .AddJsonFile(Path.Combine(baseDirectory, $"appsettings.{builder.Environment.EnvironmentName}.json"), optional: true, reloadOnChange: true)
-                .AddEnvironmentVariables(); // Add environment variables to configuration
-            
+
+            // Only use environment variables for config (no appsettings)
+            builder.Configuration.AddEnvironmentVariables();
+
             builder.Services.AddSerilog();
             builder.Services.AddMcpServer()
                 .WithStdioServerTransport().WithToolsFromAssembly(typeof(CelestialBodyTools).Assembly);
             var app = builder.Build();
 
-            Log.Information("IO-Aerospace MCP server started successfully");
-            
-            // Check for environment variable override first, then fall back to configuration
-            var kernelsPath = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("IO_DATA_DIR") ?? builder.Configuration["KernelsPath"];
-            
-            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(kernelsPath))
+            // Parse CLI for kernels path: --kernels-path <path> | --kernels <path> | -k <path>
+            string? kernelsPathArg = null;
+            for (int i = 0; i < args.Length; i++)
+            {
+                var a = args[i];
+                if (a == "-k" || a == "--kernels" || a == "--kernels-path")
+                {
+                    if (i + 1 < args.Length)
+                    {
+                        kernelsPathArg = args[i + 1];
+                        i++;
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        Log.Error("Missing value for {Arg}. Usage: -k <path>", a);
+                        return 1;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Priority: CLI arg > IO_DATA_DIR env
+            var kernelsPath = kernelsPathArg ?? Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("IO_DATA_DIR");
+
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(kernelsPath))
             {
-                Log.Error("KernelsPath is not set. Please set it in appsettings.json or use IO_DATA_DIR environment variable.");
+                Log.Error("Kernels path not provided. Use -k|--kernels-path <path> or set IO_DATA_DIR environment variable.");
+                Log.Information("Example: ./Server.Stdio -k /path/to/your/spice/kernels");
                 return 1;
             }
-            
-            // Construire le chemin absolu vers les kernels
-            var absoluteKernelsPath = Path.IsPathRooted(kernelsPath) 
-                ? kernelsPath 
+
+            // Build absolute path; if relative, resolve next to the executable directory
+            var absoluteKernelsPath = Path.IsPathRooted(kernelsPath)
+                ? kernelsPath
                 : Path.Combine(baseDirectory, kernelsPath);
-            
+
             Log.Information("Trying to load kernels from {KernelsPath} (absolute: {AbsoluteKernelsPath})", kernelsPath, absoluteKernelsPath);
-            
+
             if (!Directory.Exists(absoluteKernelsPath))
             {
                 Log.Error("Kernels directory does not exist: {AbsoluteKernelsPath}", absoluteKernelsPath);
                 return 1;
             }
-            
+
             API.Instance.LoadKernels(new DirectoryInfo(absoluteKernelsPath));
             Log.Information("Kernels loaded successfully from {AbsoluteKernelsPath}", absoluteKernelsPath);
-            
+
             await app.RunAsync();
             return 0;
         }

Server.Stdio/Server.Stdio.csproj

@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@
         <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
     </PropertyGroup>
 
+    <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)' == 'Release'">
+        <DebugType>none</DebugType>
+        <DebugSymbols>false</DebugSymbols>
+    </PropertyGroup>
+
     <ItemGroup>
       <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting" Version="9.0.8" />
       <PackageReference Include="ModelContextProtocol" Version="0.3.0-preview.3" />
@@ -23,12 +28,7 @@
     </ItemGroup>
 
     <ItemGroup>
-      <None Update="appsettings.json">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </None>
-      <None Update="appsettings.Development.json">
-        <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
-      </None>
+      <FileToPublish Remove="**/*.pdb" />
     </ItemGroup>
 
 </Project>