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ESLint MCP Integration

How AI coding assistants leverage Interlace plugins through the Model Context Protocol

ESLint MCP Integration

The Gist: The ESLint MCP server turns ESLint into an AI-accessible tool. When paired with Interlace plugins, AI assistants like Cursor, Windsurf, and Claude can detect and fix security vulnerabilities in real-time.

Quick Summary
MCPModel Context Protocol—standard for AI tool integration
InterlaceSecurity-first ESLint plugins with AI-optimized messages
ResultAI sees security issues + context → suggests accurate fixes
Setup2 minutes to enable in any MCP-compatible editor

Why this matters: AI coding assistants are only as good as the context they receive. Interlace rules are designed from the ground up to provide rich, actionable context that helps AI generate correct security fixes.

What is the Model Context Protocol?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants interact with external tools. Think of it as a USB port for AI—any tool that speaks MCP can plug into any AI that supports it.

How It Works

Configure MCP Server

Add the ESLint MCP server to your AI assistant's configuration. This tells the AI that ESLint is available as a tool.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "eslint": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "eslint-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

AI Requests Linting

When you ask the AI to review code or fix issues, it can invoke eslint.lintFiles or eslint.lintText through MCP.

Interlace Provides Context

Unlike generic linters, Interlace rules include AI-optimized error messages with:

  • CWE/OWASP references
  • Specific fix guidance
  • Example safe patterns

AI Generates Fix

With rich context from Interlace, the AI understands why something is vulnerable and how to fix it correctly.

Why Interlace + MCP is Powerful

🎯 Precise Detection

Interlace rules are optimized for low false positives, so AI doesn't waste time on noise.

💬 Rich Context

Error messages include CWE IDs, severity, and fix patterns—everything AI needs to help.

⚡ Real-Time

ESLint runs in milliseconds, so AI can check security on every request without lag.

🔧 Actionable Fixes

Many rules provide auto-fix suggestions that AI can apply directly.

AI-Optimized Error Messages

Interlace rules follow a 2-line compact format designed for LLM consumption:

Error: Unsafe innerHTML assignment
Line 15, Column 10
🚨 [CRITICAL] XSS via innerHTML (CWE-79)
└─ Fix: Use textContent or sanitize with DOMPurify.sanitize()

What Makes Messages AI-Friendly

ElementPurposeExample
Severity emojiQuick triage🚨 CRITICAL, ⚠️ WARNING
CWE IDStandardized vulnerability typeCWE-79 (XSS)
Fix instructionActionable guidance"Use parameterized queries"
Safe patternCode exampletextContent instead of innerHTML

Supported AI Assistants

The ESLint MCP server works with any MCP-compatible AI tool:

Cursor

AI-first code editor with native MCP support

Claude Desktop

Anthropic's Claude with MCP tool use

Windsurf

AI coding assistant with MCP integration

Continue

Open-source AI coding assistant

Setup

One-time setup: Configure the ESLint MCP server once, and any Interlace plugins in your project automatically become AI-accessible.

For detailed setup instructions, see the ESLint MCP Server documentation. The server works with Cursor, Claude Desktop, Windsurf, and any MCP-compatible AI assistant.

Why Interlace + MCP Works

Once the ESLint MCP server is configured:

  1. Any Interlace plugin in your eslint.config.js becomes available to AI
  2. AI sees rich context — CWE, OWASP, fix patterns, not just "error at line X"
  3. Fixes are accurate — AI understands why something is vulnerable

🔧 ESLint MCP Server→

Official setup guide for Cursor, Claude, and more

📦 Get Interlace Plugins→

Install security-first ESLint plugins

The Feedback Loop

Real-World Example

Here's how the full flow works for a SQL injection vulnerability:

Developer Writes Code

const getUser = (id) => {
  return db.query(`SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = ${id}`);
};

AI Invokes ESLint MCP

{
  "tool": "eslint.lintText",
  "args": { "code": "...", "filePath": "api.js" }
}

Interlace Returns Rich Context

{
  "ruleId": "pg/no-sql-injection",
  "message": "🚨 [CRITICAL] SQL Injection (CWE-89)\n└─ Fix: Use parameterized queries: db.query('SELECT...', [id])",
  "severity": 2,
  "line": 2
}

AI Generates Correct Fix

const getUser = (id) => {
  return db.query('SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $1', [id]);
};

⚡ Key Takeaways

ConceptWhat to Remember
MCPStandard protocol for AI tool integration
ESLint MCPMakes ESLint available to AI assistants
InterlaceSecurity rules with AI-optimized messages
ResultAI understands vulnerabilities and fixes them correctly
Setup2 minutes—just add MCP server config

🔗 Next Steps

🔧 ESLint MCP Server→

Official setup and configuration

🌳 How AST Works→

The technology behind ESLint analysis

🔍 Static Analysis→

What MCP + ESLint can detect

📚 Further Reading

How AST & Static Analysis Work

Understanding the foundational technology behind ESLint and security linting

Static Analysis Limitations

Understanding what static analysis can and cannot detect, and how to build robust security with these limitations in mind

On this page

ESLint MCP IntegrationWhat is the Model Context Protocol?How It WorksConfigure MCP ServerAI Requests LintingInterlace Provides ContextAI Generates FixWhy Interlace + MCP is PowerfulAI-Optimized Error MessagesWhat Makes Messages AI-FriendlySupported AI AssistantsSetupWhy Interlace + MCP WorksThe Feedback LoopReal-World ExampleDeveloper Writes CodeAI Invokes ESLint MCPInterlace Returns Rich ContextAI Generates Correct Fix⚡ Key Takeaways🔗 Next Steps📚 Further Reading