DevExpress Migration Guide via MCP¶

This guide explains how to use the MCP server to access DevExpress migration documentation and implement the 20-prompt migration plan.

Prerequisites

Before using this guide, make sure you've completed the MCP User Guide setup steps.

Automatic Progress Tracking

The MCP server will automatically create MIGRATION_PROGRESS.md in your workspace when you start the migration. The AI assistant will update it as you complete prompts - no manual setup required!

Overview¶

The MCP server provides:

Tool: get_migration_prompt - Get detailed implementation guides
Resources: Access to all migration documentation
Structure: 20 prompts organized in 5 phases

Quick Start¶

1. Understanding the Migration Structure¶

The migration is organized into 5 phases with 20 prompts:

Phase 1: Infrastructure (Prompts 1-4)

Feature flag system
DevExpress project setup
WCF contract updates
Template conversion workflow

Phase 2: Core Rendering (Prompts 5-10)

Report.cs refactoring
REPX template loading
Basic rendering
Subreport processing
Dynamic layouts
PDF generation

Phase 3: Advanced Features (Prompts 11-15)

Preview UI
Print direct
Complex reports
DataList reports
Master reports

Phase 4: Designer Integration (Prompts 16-18)

Designer launcher
UI integration
Template management

Phase 5: Testing & Cleanup (Prompts 19-20)

Comprehensive testing
RDLC removal (optional)

Using the MCP Server¶

Method 1: Get Specific Prompts¶

Ask the AI assistant to retrieve a specific prompt:

User: "Show me prompt 1 for the DevExpress migration"
AI: *Calls get_migration_prompt with promptNumber: 1*
AI: *Displays detailed implementation guide*

What you'll get:

Overview and prerequisites
Files to modify
Pre-implementation analysis steps
Detailed implementation steps
Feature flag integration points
5-level validation procedures
Common issues and solutions
Completion checklist

Method 2: Read Migration Documentation¶

Ask the AI to read specific documentation:

User: "What's the overall migration strategy?"
AI: *Reads rdlc://migration/overview*
AI: *Summarizes feature-flagged approach, phases, risks*

Method 3: Browse Prompt Files¶

Access grouped prompts by phase:

User: "Show me all the infrastructure prompts"
AI: *Reads rdlc://migration/prompts-01-07*
AI: *Displays prompts 1-7 covering infrastructure and core rendering*

Example Workflow¶

Starting the Migration¶

User: "I want to start the DevExpress migration"

AI: *Reads rdlc://migration/overview and rdlc://migration/playbook*
    "The migration uses a feature-flagged approach with 20 prompts across 5 phases.
     You should start with Prompt 1: Feature Flag Infrastructure.

     This creates the foundation that allows safe rollback at any time.
     Should I show you Prompt 1?"

User: "Yes"

AI: *Calls get_migration_prompt with promptNumber: 1*
    *Displays full implementation guide*

    "Prompt 1 will:
     1. Create ReportEngine.cs enum
     2. Add Engine property to ReportSettings.cs
     3. Set default to RDLC for safety

     Before implementing, I should analyze your current code.
     Let me read ReportSettings.cs..."

Implementing a Prompt¶

User: "Implement prompt 1"

AI: *Calls get_migration_prompt with promptNumber: 1*
    *Reads current ReportSettings.cs*
    *Analyzes structure*

    "I'll implement Prompt 1. Here's what I found:
     - ReportSettings is serializable
     - It has 5 existing properties
     - Used in WCF communication

     I'll now:
     1. Create ReportEngine.cs
     2. Add Engine property with RDLC default
     3. Build and validate

     Creating files..."

     *Implements changes*
     *Runs build*

     "✅ Implementation complete!

     Validation checklist:
     - [x] Compilation: Success
     - [ ] Smoke test: Please run a simple report with RDLC
     - [ ] Feature test: N/A (no DevExpress code yet)
     - [ ] Integration: N/A
     - [ ] Regression: Please test 2-3 different reports

     After validation, we can proceed to Prompt 2."

Checking Progress¶

User: "What's next in the migration?"

AI: *Reads rdlc://migration/progress*
    "Based on the progress tracker, you should:

     1. Complete validation for Prompt 1
     2. Update MIGRATION_PROGRESS.md
     3. Proceed to Prompt 2: DevExpress Project Setup

     Would you like me to show Prompt 2?"

Getting Help with Issues¶

User: "I'm having issues with subreport processing"

AI: *Reads rdlc://migration/safety-checks*
    *Calls get_migration_prompt with promptNumber: 8*

    "Subreport processing is covered in Prompt 8.
     Let me check the 'Common Issues' section...

     Common issues:
     1. Subreport not found - Check file paths
     2. Data binding fails - Verify DataSource names
     3. Nested subreports - Ensure recursive processing

     Which issue are you experiencing?"

Best Practices¶

1. Follow Sequential Order¶

Always implement prompts in order (1 → 2 → 3 → ... → 20). Each prompt builds on previous ones.

2. Read Before Implementing¶

Ask the AI to show you the prompt first, understand it, then implement.

3. Validate After Each Prompt¶

Run all 5 validation levels:

Compilation check
Smoke test (RDLC path)
Feature test (DevExpress path)
Integration test
Regression test

4. Update Progress Tracking¶

Keep MIGRATION_PROGRESS.md updated with:

Completed prompts
Validation results
Issues encountered

5. Use Safety Checks¶

Reference rdlc://migration/safety-checks for:

Validation procedures
Rollback steps
Emergency procedures
GxP compliance checks

6. Default to RDLC¶

Critical Rule: Keep the default engine as RDLC until Prompt 19 (comprehensive testing) is 100% complete.

Command Reference¶

Get a Specific Prompt¶

"Show me prompt [number]"
"Get prompt [number] for DevExpress migration"
"What does prompt [number] cover?"

Read Documentation¶

"Show me the migration overview"
"What's the migration strategy?"
"How do I validate changes?"
"Show me the safety checks"

Implementation Help¶

"Implement prompt [number]"
"Help me with [feature] migration"
"What files do I need to modify for prompt [number]?"

Progress Tracking¶

"What's next in the migration?"
"Show me the migration progress"
"What phase am I in?"