atxtechbro / atxtechbro/dotfiles
mcp: add tool-level logging to GitHub MCP servers to expose workflow bottlenecks
- Dominant language
- Shell
- Stars
- 27
- Forks
- 2
- PR merge metrics
- No merged PRs in 30d
Description
## Problem
GitHub MCP server tool calls are not being logged, creating visibility gaps in workflow optimization. During `/close-issue 848` session:
- **Git MCP server calls**: All logged with timestamps in `~/mcp-tool-calls.log`
- **GitHub MCP server calls**: No logging - 1m 42s gap between `git_push` and `git_worktree_remove`
This prevents identifying actual bottlenecks in the `/close-issue` workflow.
## Evidence from MCP Tool Logs
```
2025-07-15 11:12:21 - git_push: SUCCESS
[1m 42s gap - GitHub API calls invisible]
2025-07-15 11:14:03 - git_worktree_remove: SUCCESS
```
Missing operations during gap:
- `mcp__github-write__create_pull_request`
- `mcp__github-read__get_pull_request_files`
- Other GitHub API validation calls
## Solution
Add tool-level logging to GitHub MCP servers following existing pattern in `knowledge/procedures/mcp-tool-logging.md`.
Reference implementation: `atxtechbro-git-mcp-server` (already has logging)
## Principles This Supports
- **[Five Focusing Steps](knowledge/principles/five-focusing-steps.md)**: Can't identify the system constraint without visibility into all operations
- **[Selective Optimization](knowledge/principles/selective-optimization.md)**: Need timing data to prioritize highest value-to-effort ratio improvements
- **[Tracer Bullets](knowledge/principles/tracer-bullets.md)**: Feedback loops require observable units of change - can't adjust aim without seeing where shots land
- **[Systems Stewardship](knowledge/principles/systems-stewardship.md)**: Maintaining systems requires measurement and visibility into performance patterns
- **[Subtraction Creates Value](knowledge/principles/subtraction-creates-value.md)**: Cognitive buffer constraint requires knowing which tools consume the most tokens/time
## Expected Impact
With GitHub API timing visibility:
- Identify actual bottlenecks in `/close-issue` workflow
- Target scripting efforts at highest-impact operations
- Reduce 15-20 minute workflow to 5-10 minutes through selective optimization
## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] GitHub MCP server calls appear in `~/mcp-tool-calls.log`
- [ ] Timestamps show duration of PR creation, issue updates, file validation
- [ ] Can identify which GitHub API calls are slowest/most frequent
- [ ] Update `knowledge/procedures/mcp-tool-logging.md` docs table to reflect new logging status
Contributor guide
No contributing guide indexed for this repository
Research direction
Start with knowledge/procedures/mcp-tool-logging.md and compare the reference implementation in atxtechbro-git-mcp-server. Locate the GitHub MCP server tool entry points, then verify that calls record timestamps and durations in ~/mcp-tool-calls.log. Update the documentation table and confirm that PR creation, issue updates, and file validation are visible.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- github
- Domain
- observability, tooling
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100