Progress Updates

Introduction

MCP tool calls typically timeout after 10 seconds, making long-running operations challenging. MCP Hive’s Progress Updates feature enables OpenAPI-based tools to send real-time progress updates to MCP clients through a webhook system, extending operation timeouts indefinitely.

How It Works

MCP Hive provides a webhook-based progress update system that bridges OpenAPI endpoints with MCP clients: Key Benefits:

Seamless Integration: No changes needed to MCP clients
Rich Progress Updates: Send structured data, artifacts, and real-time status
Extended Capabilities: Support for chunked artifacts and multiple content types
Simple Implementation: Just enable async mode and handle webhook calls

Getting Started

Step 1: Enable Async Mode

In Hive Studio, enable async mode for tools that need progress updates:

Navigate to your hive studio page
Select the tool you want to enable for long-running operations
Click on Async Settings button
Toggle Enable Async Mode
Configure timeout settings
Save the configuration

Step 2: Access the Webhook URL

When async mode is enabled, MCP Hive automatically injects the MCPHive-Webhook header in requests to your API endpoint:

POST /your-endpoint
Content-Type: application/json
MCPHive-Webhook: https://api.mcp-hive.com/webhook/progress/task_abc123

{
  "your": "request_data"
}

Step 3: Send Progress Updates

Post progress events to the webhook URL as your operation progresses.

Event Types

MCP Hive supports two primary event types for progress updates:

1. TaskStatusUpdateEvent

Purpose: Send current processing status and progress information to keep users informed about ongoing operations. When to use:

To provide regular progress updates during long-running operations
To send status messages explaining what’s currently happening
To indicate completion, failure, or cancellation of tasks
Required: Must send a final status event to mark task completion

Important: A task is considered completed only when the final status event has state set to one of: completed, cancelled, failed, or rejected. Use this for general progress updates during task execution:

{
  "kind": "status-update",
  "final": false,
  "metadata": {
    "progress": 60,
    "total": 100,
  }, // This metadata is used to send progress notifications to the MCP client
  "status": {
    "message": {
      "parts": [
        {
          "kind": "text",
          "text": "Processing batch 6 of 10. ETA: 5 minutes"
        }
      ]
    }, // This message is shown to the user along with the current progress
    "state": "working", // one of "submitted", "working", "completed", "cancelled", "failed", "rejected"
    "timestamp": "2025-01-14T10:42:37Z"
  }
}

2. TaskArtifactUpdateEvent

Purpose: Send actual results, data, or files generated by your long-running operation. When to use:

To deliver the final results of your operation
To stream large results in smaller chunks for better performance
To send multiple types of content (text, structured data, files)

Chunking Strategy:

Single Result: Set append: false and lastChunk: true
Multiple Chunks:
- First chunk: append: false, lastChunk: false
- Middle chunks: append: true, lastChunk: false
- Final chunk: append: true, lastChunk: true

Use this to deliver generated artifacts and results from your long-running task:

{
  "kind": "artifact-update",
  "append": false,
  "lastChunk": true,
  "metadata": {},
  "artifact": {
    "name": "Analysis Results",
    "description": "Complete analysis of dataset XYZ",
    "parts": [
      {
        "kind": "text",
        "text": "Here are the top 5 anomalies detected in the dataset: "
      },
    ]
  }
}

Complete Event Flow Example

Here’s how to properly combine both event types:

# 1. Send initial status
updater.send_status_update("Starting data analysis...", "working")

# 2. Send progress updates during processing
updater.send_status_update("Processing 50% complete", "working", 
                          metadata={"progress": 50, "total": 100})

# 3. Send results as artifact
updater.send_artifact(
    name="Analysis Report",
    parts=[{"kind": "text", "text": "Analysis complete!"}],
    append=False,
    is_last_chunk=True
)

# 4. REQUIRED: Send final status to mark completion
updater.send_status_update("Analysis completed successfully", "completed", 
                          is_final=True)

Implementation Examples

Python Implementation

import requests
import json
import datetime
import time
from typing import Dict, Any, Optional

class MCPHiveProgressUpdater:
    def __init__(self, webhook_url: str):
        self.webhook_url = webhook_url

    def send_status_update(
        self, 
        message: str, 
        state: str, 
        is_final: bool = False, 
        metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
    ) -> bool:
        """Send a status update to MCP Hive"""
        event = {
            "kind": "status-update",
            "final": is_final,
            "metadata": metadata or {},
            "status": {
                "message": {
                    "parts": [
                        {
                            "kind": "text",
                            "text": message
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "state": state,
                "timestamp": datetime.datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + "Z"
            }
        }

        try:
            response = requests.post(
                self.webhook_url,
                headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"},
                data=json.dumps(event),
                timeout=30
            )
            return response.status_code == 200
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"Failed to send status update: {e}")
            return False

    def send_artifact(
        self, 
        name: str, 
        parts: list, 
        description: Optional[str] = None,
        is_last_chunk: bool = True, 
        append: bool = False,
        metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
    ) -> bool:
        """Send an artifact update to MCP Hive"""
        artifact = {
            "name": name,
            "description": description,
            "parts": parts
        }
        
        if metadata:
            artifact["metadata"] = metadata

        event = {
            "kind": "artifact-update",
            "append": append,
            "lastChunk": is_last_chunk,
            "artifact": artifact
        }

        try:
            response = requests.post(
                self.webhook_url,
                headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"},
                data=json.dumps(event),
                timeout=30
            )
            return response.status_code == 200
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"Failed to send artifact: {e}")
            return False

# Usage Example
def process_large_dataset(data_file: str, webhook_url: str):
    """Example long-running data processing function"""
    updater = MCPHiveProgressUpdater(webhook_url)
    
    # Initial status
    updater.send_status_update("Starting data processing...", "working")
    
    try:
        # Simulate processing with progress updates
        total_records = 10000
        batch_size = 1000
        batches = total_records // batch_size
        
        for i in range(batches):
            # Your actual processing logic here
            time.sleep(2)  # Simulate work
            
            # Send progress update
            progress = (i + 1) / batches * 100
            updater.send_status_update(
                f"Processed {(i+1)*batch_size} of {total_records} records ({progress:.1f}%)",
                "working",
                metadata={
                    "progress": progress,
                    "recordsProcessed": (i+1)*batch_size,
                    "totalRecords": total_records
                }
            )
        
        # Send results as artifact
        results = {
            "summary": {
                "totalProcessed": total_records,
                "anomaliesDetected": 42,
                "processingTime": 20.5
            },
            "findings": [
                {"kind": "anomaly", "severity": "high", "count": 15},
                {"kind": "warning", "severity": "medium", "count": 27}
            ]
        }
        
        updater.send_artifact(
            name="Processing Results",
            description=f"Analysis results for {data_file}",
            parts=[
                {
                    "kind": "text",
                    "text": f"Successfully processed {total_records} records. Found 42 anomalies."
                },
                {
                    "kind": "data",
                    "data": results
                }
            ]
        )
        
        # Final status
        updater.send_status_update(
            "Data processing completed successfully",
            "completed",
            is_final=True,
            metadata={"totalProcessingTime": 20.5}
        )
        
    except Exception as e:
        # Handle errors
        updater.send_status_update(
            f"Processing failed: {str(e)}",
            "failed",
            is_final=True,
            metadata={"error": str(e)}
        )

Node.js Implementation

const axios = require('axios');

class MCPHiveProgressUpdater {
    constructor(webhookUrl) {
        this.webhookUrl = webhookUrl;
    }

    async sendStatusUpdate(message, state, isFinal = false, metadata = {}) {
        const event = {
            kind: 'status-update',
            final: isFinal,
            metadata,
            status: {
                message: {
                    parts: [
                        {
                            kind: 'text',
                            text: message
                        }
                    ]
                },
                state,
                timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
            }
        };

        try {
            const response = await axios.post(this.webhookUrl, event, {
                headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
                timeout: 30000
            });
            return response.status === 200;
        } catch (error) {
            console.error('Failed to send status update:', error.message);
            return false;
        }
    }

    async sendArtifact(name, parts, description = null, isLastChunk = true, append = false) {
        const event = {
            kind: 'artifact-update',
            append,
            lastChunk: isLastChunk,
            artifact: {
                name,
                description,
                parts
            }
        };

        try {
            const response = await axios.post(this.webhookUrl, event, {
                headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
                timeout: 30000
            });
            return response.status === 200;
        } catch (error) {
            console.error('Failed to send artifact:', error.message);
            return false;
        }
    }
}

// Usage Example
async function processLargeFile(fileName, webhookUrl) {
    const updater = new MCPHiveProgressUpdater(webhookUrl);
    
    await updater.sendStatusUpdate('Starting file processing...', 'working');
    
    try {
        const totalChunks = 20;
        
        for (let i = 0; i < totalChunks; i++) {
            // Simulate processing
            await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
            
            const progress = ((i + 1) / totalChunks) * 100;
            await updater.sendStatusUpdate(
                `Processing chunk ${i + 1} of ${totalChunks} (${progress.toFixed(1)}%)`,
                'working',
                false,
                { progress, currentChunk: i + 1, totalChunks }
            );
        }
        
        // Send results
        await updater.sendArtifact(
            'Processing Results',
            [
                {
                    kind: 'text',
                    text: `Successfully processed ${fileName}. Generated summary report.`
                },
                {
                    kind: 'data',
                    data: {
                        fileName,
                        processedChunks: totalChunks,
                        processingTime: 20,
                        status: 'success'
                    }
                }
            ],
            `Processing results for ${fileName}`
        );
        
        await updater.sendStatusUpdate(
            'File processing completed successfully',
            'completed',
            true,
            { processingTime: 20 }
        );
        
    } catch (error) {
        await updater.sendStatusUpdate(
            `Processing failed: ${error.message}`,
            'failed',
            true,
            { error: error.message }
        );
    }
}

Advanced Features

Artifact Streaming

For large artifacts, you can stream content in chunks:

def stream_large_report(webhook_url: str, report_data: list):
    updater = MCPHiveProgressUpdater(webhook_url)
    
    # Send first chunk
    updater.send_artifact(
        name="Large Report",
        parts=[{"kind": "text", "text": "Report Header\n"}],
        append=False,
        is_last_chunk=False
    )
    
    # Stream middle chunks
    for i, chunk in enumerate(report_data):
        updater.send_artifact(
            name="Large Report",
            parts=[{"kind": "text", "text": f"Section {i+1}: {chunk}\n"}],
            append=True,
            is_last_chunk=False
        )
    
    # Send final chunk
    updater.send_artifact(
        name="Large Report",
        parts=[{"kind": "text", "text": "Report Footer"}],
        append=True,
        is_last_chunk=True
    )

Rich Content Types

Send different types of content in your artifacts:

# Mixed content artifact
mixed_artifact_parts = [
    {
        "kind": "text",
        "text": "Analysis Complete! Here are the results:"
    },
    {
        "kind": "data",
        "data": {
            "metrics": {"accuracy": 0.95, "precision": 0.88},
            "summary": "Model performed well on test dataset"
        }
    },
    {
        "kind": "file",
        "file": {
            "name": "detailed_report.csv",
            "mimeType": "text/csv",
            "uri": "https://your-storage.com/reports/detailed_report.csv"
        }
    }
]

updater.send_artifact(
    name="Complete Analysis",
    parts=mixed_artifact_parts,
    description="Full analysis with metrics, summary, and detailed CSV report"
)

Best Practices

Update Frequency

Send updates every 5-10% of progress for long operations
Avoid overwhelming users with too-frequent updates (minimum 2-3 second intervals)
Always send a final event with final: true

User Experience

Include estimated completion times when possible
Use consistent, clear messaging
Provide meaningful progress indicators (percentages, steps completed)
Send interim results for very long operations

Error Handling

Always send a final status update on errors with state: "failed"
Include error details in metadata for debugging
Implement retry logic for webhook failures with exponential backoff

Performance

Set reasonable timeouts for webhook requests (30 seconds recommended)
Handle webhook failures gracefully
Consider local buffering for critical updates

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Webhook URL not received

Ensure async mode is enabled for your tool in Hive Studio
Check that your endpoint is correctly reading the MCPHive-Webhook header

Progress updates not appearing

Verify webhook URL is being called with correct event structure
Check that Content-Type: application/json header is set
Ensure final event has final: true

Timeout issues

Send at least one update every 30 seconds to prevent timeout
Check network connectivity to webhook endpoint
Verify webhook endpoint is responding with 200 status

Debugging Tips

Log all webhook requests and responses
Test webhook URL manually with curl or Postman
Monitor your application logs for error patterns
Use the exact event schemas provided in this documentation

FAQ

Q: Can I use progress updates with existing tools? A: Yes, simply enable async mode for existing tools in Hive Studio and update your endpoint to handle the webhook. Q: What happens if my webhook request fails? A: Implement retry logic with exponential backoff. MCP Hive will handle timeout extensions based on successful webhook deliveries. Q: Can I send binary files in artifacts? A: Yes, use Base64 encoding in the data field or provide a uri to the file location. Q: How long can operations run? A: For the duration set in the async settings. MCP client may close the connection if no updates are received within 10 seconds interval. Q: Can I update the same artifact multiple times? A: Yes, use append: true to add content to existing artifacts or append: false to replace them.

Getting Started

For Hive Creators

Integrations

Demos

Updates

Introduction

How It Works

Getting Started

Step 1: Enable Async Mode

Step 2: Access the Webhook URL

Step 3: Send Progress Updates

Event Types

1. TaskStatusUpdateEvent

2. TaskArtifactUpdateEvent

Complete Event Flow Example

Implementation Examples

Python Implementation

Node.js Implementation

Advanced Features

Artifact Streaming

Rich Content Types

Best Practices

Update Frequency

User Experience

Error Handling

Performance

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Debugging Tips

FAQ

Getting Started

For Hive Creators

Integrations

Demos

Updates

​Introduction

​How It Works

​Getting Started

​Step 1: Enable Async Mode

​Step 2: Access the Webhook URL

​Step 3: Send Progress Updates

​Event Types

​1. TaskStatusUpdateEvent

​2. TaskArtifactUpdateEvent

​Complete Event Flow Example

​Implementation Examples

​Python Implementation

​Node.js Implementation

​Advanced Features

​Artifact Streaming

​Rich Content Types

​Best Practices

​Update Frequency

​User Experience

​Error Handling

​Performance

​Troubleshooting

​Common Issues

​Debugging Tips

​FAQ

Introduction

How It Works

Getting Started

Step 1: Enable Async Mode

Step 2: Access the Webhook URL

Step 3: Send Progress Updates

Event Types

1. TaskStatusUpdateEvent

2. TaskArtifactUpdateEvent

Complete Event Flow Example

Implementation Examples

Python Implementation

Node.js Implementation

Advanced Features

Artifact Streaming

Rich Content Types

Best Practices

Update Frequency

User Experience

Error Handling

Performance

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Debugging Tips

FAQ