Development Workflows

As AI tools become increasingly integrated into development workflows, a fundamental challenge has emerged: how do AI assistants effectively interact with complex, domain-specific systems like content management platforms? Model Context Protocol (MCP) offers an elegant solution that’s particularly relevant for Drupal developers.

What is Model Context Protocol?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol developed by Anthropic that standardizes how AI assistants connect to external data sources and tools. Think of it as a universal adapter that allows AI models to interact with your systems in a structured, secure, and contextually aware manner.

At the 2024 Pacific Northwest Drupal Summit, MindSing sponsored a session exploring the practical integration of AI tools into modern development workflows. The session, “Tip-Toeing into the Deep: Seek, Prompt, Repeat,” demonstrated how developers can leverage AI assistance while maintaining code quality and deepening their expertise.

The AI Development Revolution

We’re in the midst of a fundamental shift in how developers work. Tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, and specialized coding assistants are no longer experimental novelties—they’re becoming integral parts of professional development workflows.

Automated testing is often viewed as a “nice to have” in Drupal development—something teams plan to implement “when there’s time.” But treating testing as optional is a costly mistake. The reality is that automated testing is fundamental to building maintainable Drupal applications, reducing bugs, and enabling teams to refactor and upgrade with confidence.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of automated testing in Drupal, from basic concepts to practical implementation, helping you build a testing practice that actually fits into your development workflow.