First Look at MCP for J - for Joomla

Written by: Shahbaz Latif Created: 03 June 2026

Category: Watch Me Work Live Streams

New!Hits: 233Reading time: 03:11

Watch me Work Live Streams

On today's Watch Me Work I'm building the v2.0 architecture for "MCP for Joomla" — a free Joomla extension that lets Claude (or any MCP client) manage a Joomla site through tool calls instead of clicks.
The v2.0 turning point is the add-ons catalog: instead of bundling every 3rd-party integration into the core, the extension stays light and ships an in-admin "Browse MCP Add-ons" view that lists what's available (4SEO, RSTicketsPro, Akeeba Backup, Convert Forms, JSitemap, Event Booking, AcyMailing, JCE, SP Page Builder, JEvents …) and installs them on demand from a JSON catalog hosted at cybersalt.com.
In this stream:
• Designing the catalog schema (Free vs Pro tier, per-add-on download URLs, "new this week" detection)
• Joomla 5/6 component options + custom submenu + view/model/controller with HTTP fetch, 24-hour cache, and a manual refresh button
• A bundled fallback catalog.json so the screen works even before the live endpoint is online
• Live-testing through Claude and catching a real bug: create_article was reporting failure but actually inserting the row, which would silently spawn duplicates on every retry. Root cause and fix on air.

00:00:00 - Intro, Sponsors & MCP4J Overview
00:00:53 - MCP4J: AI-Powered Joomla Management
00:03:23 - Understanding the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
00:05:00 - Joomla-Based vs Server-Based MCP Setup
00:07:00 - MCP4J Free & Pro Plans
00:09:00 - Installing MCP4J & Creating API Tokens
00:13:30 - Connecting Claude Desktop to Joomla
00:18:00 - Discovering Joomla Tools Through MCP
00:21:00 - AI-Driven Content Creation & Management
00:28:00 - Troubleshooting MCP4J & Database Issues
00:34:00 - Verifying Articles, Menus & Featured Content
00:40:00 - Creating Custom Fields & Subforms with AI
00:52:00 - Working with Repeatable Subform Data
00:55:00 - Fixing Layout Issues Using Screenshots
01:05:00 - Cleaning Sample Data with CS Remove Sample Data
01:15:00 - 4SEO MCP Integration & Schema Management
01:21:00 - AI-Assisted SEO & Structured Data
01:33:00 - Managing Global Configuration with MCP
01:38:00 - MCP4J Pricing & Claude Subscription Requirements
01:42:00 - Wrap-Up & MCP4J Release Plans

Summary

1. Introduction to MCP4J:
Learn what MCP4J is and why it was built as a native Joomla extension rather than a standalone server tool, setting the stage for AI-assisted Joomla site management.
2. Understanding the Model Context Protocol:
Get a plain-language explanation of what MCP is using a remote control analogy, clarifying how it allows AI tools like Claude to interact with external systems.
3. Installing MCP4J & Connecting Claude:
Walk through installing MCP4J on a Joomla 6 test site, generating a Joomla API token, adding the domain to Claude's allowed list, and pasting the MCP prompt into Claude Desktop to establish the connection.
4. Claude Discovers 110 Joomla Tools:
See Claude connect to the Joomla site and automatically discover over 110 available tools, demonstrating the full scope of actions it can perform through the MCP integration.
5. Creating Articles, Categories & Metadata via Claude:
Watch Claude build a complete article with categories and metadata from a single prompt, with discussion on how this workflow could power daily blog publishing use cases.
6. Troubleshooting & Verifying Content Creation:
Work through a missing workflow association issue, confirm the article's featured status and menu item, and catch a simple but funny mistake — the wrong site tab was open the whole time.
7. Creating Custom Fields & Sub Forms via Claude:
Ask Claude to generate custom fields like a size selector and child-friendly toggle, then build a repeatable sub form for pet history rows — all appearing live in the Joomla article editor.
8. Fixing UI Issues via Screenshot Feedback:
Use a screenshot to show Claude a broken calendar display and stacked editor layout inside a sub form, then watch it apply the correct fixes without any manual file deployment.
9. SEO & Schema Setup with 4SEO MCP:
Configure the 4SEO MCP to feed organisation info and schema settings through Claude, then verify working article and organisation schema on both a pet site and the Goats at Work example site.
10. Cost, Expansion & Wrap-Up:
Confirm the entire workflow runs comfortably within a $25/month Claude subscription, review plans for expanding MCP to control global configuration settings, and get a preview of upcoming MCP4J release plans.