@payloadcms/plugin-mcp 4.0.0-internal.40de3ec → 4.0.0-internal.45cfa3d

package/src/stdio.ts

@@ -1,35 +1,28 @@
-import type { MaybePromise, Plugin, SanitizedConfig } from 'payload'
+import type { Config, Plugin, SanitizedConfig } from 'payload'
 
 /* eslint-disable no-console */
-import { StdioServerTransport } from '@modelcontextprotocol/server'
+import { serveStdio } from '@modelcontextprotocol/server/stdio'
 import { fileURLToPath, pathToFileURL } from 'node:url'
 import { createLocalReq, getPayload } from 'payload'
 import { findConfig } from 'payload/node'
 
-import type { AuthorizedMCP, SanitizedMCPPluginConfig } from './types.js'
+import type { SanitizedMCPPluginConfig } from './types.js'
 
+import { getAuthorizedMCP } from './endpoint/access.js'
 import { buildMcpServer } from './mcp/buildMcpServer.js'
 import { sanitizeMCPConfig } from './mcp/sanitizeMCPConfig.js'
 import { getPluginConfig } from './utils/getPluginConfig.js'
 import { resolveProjectRoot } from './utils/resolveProjectRoot.js'
 
 /**
- * Stdio adapter for the Payload MCP server.
+ * Starts Payload's MCP server over stdin and stdout.
  *
- * Do not use in production. There's no auth; whoever can spawn the process gets
- * full access to your local data.
+ * Set `PAYLOAD_MCP_AUTHORIZATION` to authenticate. In development,
+ * `PAYLOAD_MCP_OVERRIDE_ACCESS=true` skips access checks.
  */
 export const runMcpStdio = async (): Promise<void> => {
-  /**
-   * If MCP clients spawn stdio servers from an arbitrary working directory,
-   * Payload's cwd-anchored `findConfig()` can't locate the project on
-   * its own. This module always lives inside the project's `node_modules`, so
-   * we derive the project root from its own path and `chdir` into it.
-   *
-   * An absolute `PAYLOAD_CONFIG_PATH` still overrides everything; unusual
-   * layouts (e.g. a monorepo where the package is hoisted above the app) can
-   * fall back to it. See the implementation of findConfig for details.
-   */
+  // MCP clients may start this command from another folder. Move to the Payload
+  // project so findConfig() can find the config.
   const projectRoot = resolveProjectRoot(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url))
   if (projectRoot) {
     process.chdir(projectRoot)
@@ -37,62 +30,101 @@ export const runMcpStdio = async (): Promise<void> => {
 
   const configPath = findConfig()
   const configModule = await import(pathToFileURL(configPath).toString())
-  const config = (await (configModule.default ?? configModule)) as MaybePromise<SanitizedConfig>
-
-  const payload = await getPayload({ config })
+  const config = (await (configModule.default ?? configModule)) as SanitizedConfig
 
   /**
-   * If the user added `mcpPlugin({...})` to their `plugins` array, read the
-   * sanitized config they registered. Otherwise fall back to the defaults. That way,
-   * the mcp works on any project that has `@payloadcms/plugin-mcp` installed,
-   * even if the plugin is not added to the plugins array.
+   * stdout is only for MCP messages. The spec says the server must not write
+   * logs there and may write them to stderr instead.
+   *
+   * The 2.0 client library recovers from stray stdout logs, but that behavior is not
+   * guaranteed. Move Payload logs to stderr so Payload does not add invalid data
+   * to stdout. Keep options from configurable loggers. Replace pre-built loggers
+   * because their output cannot be redirected.
+   *
+   * @see https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-11-25/basic/transports#stdio
    */
+  const loggerConfig: { logger?: Config['logger'] } = config
+  if (
+    loggerConfig.logger &&
+    typeof loggerConfig.logger === 'object' &&
+    'options' in loggerConfig.logger
+  ) {
+    loggerConfig.logger.destination = process.stderr
+  } else {
+    loggerConfig.logger = { destination: process.stderr, options: {} }
+  }
+
+  const payload = await getPayload({ config, cron: false, disableOnInit: true })
+
   let pluginConfig: SanitizedMCPPluginConfig
   try {
     pluginConfig = getPluginConfig({ config: payload.config })
   } catch {
+    // The command also works when mcpPlugin() is not in the Payload config.
     pluginConfig = sanitizeMCPConfig({ config: payload.config, pluginConfig: {} })
 
-    const fakePluginFn: Plugin = (config) => config
-    fakePluginFn.slug = '@payloadcms/plugin-mcp'
-    // @ts-expect-error
-    fakePluginFn.sanitizedOptions = pluginConfig
+    const fallbackPlugin: Plugin = (config) => config
+    Object.assign(fallbackPlugin, {
+      slug: '@payloadcms/plugin-mcp',
+      sanitizedOptions: pluginConfig,
+    })
+    payload.config.plugins ??= []
+    payload.config.plugins.push(fallbackPlugin)
+  }
+
+  const overrideAccessEnv = process.env.PAYLOAD_MCP_OVERRIDE_ACCESS
+  let overrideAccess = false
+
+  if (overrideAccessEnv === 'true') {
+    overrideAccess = true
+  } else if (overrideAccessEnv && overrideAccessEnv !== 'false') {
+    throw new Error('PAYLOAD_MCP_OVERRIDE_ACCESS must be "true" or "false".')
+  }
 
-    // Push to payload config, to ensure consecutive calls to `getPluginConfig()` work
-    ;(payload.config.plugins ??= []).push(fakePluginFn)
+  if (overrideAccess && process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'development') {
+    throw new Error('PAYLOAD_MCP_OVERRIDE_ACCESS is only available in development.')
   }
 
-  const authorizedMCP: AuthorizedMCP = {
-    items: pluginConfig.items,
-    overrideAccess: true,
-    user: null,
+  const headers = new Headers()
+  if (process.env.PAYLOAD_MCP_AUTHORIZATION) {
+    headers.set('Authorization', process.env.PAYLOAD_MCP_AUTHORIZATION)
   }
 
-  const req = await createLocalReq({}, payload)
+  const req = await createLocalReq({ req: { headers } }, payload)
   req.payloadAPI = 'MCP' as const
+  const authorizedMCP = await getAuthorizedMCP({ overrideAccess, req })
 
-  const server = buildMcpServer({ authorizedMCP, pluginConfig, req })
+  const stdioServer = serveStdio(() => buildMcpServer({ authorizedMCP, pluginConfig, req }), {
+    onerror: (err) => {
+      // MCP messages use stdout, so write SDK errors to stderr.
+      console.error('[payload-mcp] error serving MCP over stdio:', err)
+    },
+  })
 
-  const transport = new StdioServerTransport()
-  await server.connect(transport)
+  // Close the MCP server and Payload when the client disconnects or the process stops.
+  let isShuttingDown = false
+  const shutdown = async () => {
+    if (isShuttingDown) {
+      return
+    }
+    isShuttingDown = true
 
-  // Process now lives until stdin closes. Wire graceful shutdown so DB
-  // connections (and any other Payload-managed resources) get released.
-  const shutdown = async (code = 0) => {
     try {
-      await server.close()
+      await stdioServer.close()
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('[payload-mcp] error closing server:', err)
     }
+
     try {
       await payload.destroy()
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('[payload-mcp] error destroying payload:', err)
     }
-    process.exit(code)
+
+    process.exit(0)
   }
 
-  process.on('SIGINT', () => void shutdown(0))
-  process.on('SIGTERM', () => void shutdown(0))
-  process.stdin.on('close', () => void shutdown(0))
+  process.once('SIGINT', () => void shutdown())
+  process.once('SIGTERM', () => void shutdown())
+  process.stdin.once('close', () => void shutdown())
 }

package/src/types.ts

@@ -6,18 +6,19 @@ import type {
   ResourceTemplate,
   ServerContext,
   StandardSchemaWithJSON,
+  ToolAnnotations,
 } from '@modelcontextprotocol/server'
 import type {
   AuthCollectionSlug,
-  CollectionConfig,
   CollectionSlug,
-  DefaultDocumentIDType,
   GlobalSlug,
   MaybePromise,
   PayloadRequest,
-  TypedUser,
+  SanitizedPermissions,
+  User,
 } from 'payload'
 
+import type { GetAuthorizedMCPArgs } from './endpoint/access.js'
 import type {
   MCPCollectionAuthToolName,
   MCPCollectionBuiltinName,
@@ -26,34 +27,16 @@ import type {
 
 export type { MCPCollectionAuthToolName, MCPCollectionBuiltinName, MCPGlobalBuiltinName }
 
-/** Re-exported from `@modelcontextprotocol/server` — the JSON Schema shape the MCP runtime validates against. */
-export type { JsonSchemaType, StandardSchemaWithJSON }
+/** Re-exported from `@modelcontextprotocol/server` — common MCP types used in plugin config. */
+export type { JsonSchemaType, StandardSchemaWithJSON, ToolAnnotations }
 
 /**
  * What a tool's `input` (or a prompt's `argsSchema`) can be — either a raw
- * JSON Schema literal, or a Standard Schema instance (Zod, Valibot, …).
+ * JSON Schema 2020-12 literal, or a Standard Schema instance (Zod, Valibot, …).
+ * Raw schemas may omit `$schema`; when present it must declare the 2020-12 dialect.
  */
 export type ToolInputSchema = JsonSchemaType | StandardSchemaWithJSON
 
-/**
- * Serializable mirror of `SanitizedMCPPluginConfig` for client components —
- * the full sanitized config carries functions (tool handlers, etc.) that can't
- * cross the server→client boundary. Built by `sanitizeClientPluginConfig` and
- * passed to the `AccessField` component via `clientProps`.
- *
- * @internal
- */
-export type ClientMCPPluginConfig = {
-  items: Array<{
-    collectionSlug?: string
-    description: string
-    globalSlug?: string
-    key: string
-    label: string
-    type: 'collectionTool' | 'globalTool' | 'prompt' | 'resource' | 'tool'
-  }>
-}
-
 export type MCPToolResponse = {
   content: ContentBlock[]
   /**
@@ -70,6 +53,13 @@ export type MCPResponseOverride = (
   req: PayloadRequest,
 ) => MCPToolResponse
 
+export type MCPAfterToolCallHook = (args: {
+  input: unknown
+  req: PayloadRequest
+  response: MCPToolResponse
+  toolName: string
+}) => MaybePromise<MCPToolResponse>
+
 /**
  * The handler's `input` type. A specific Standard Schema (Zod, Valibot, …) gets
  * its inferred output; anything else falls back to `Record<string, unknown>`.
@@ -80,6 +70,19 @@ export type TypedInput<TSchema> = TSchema extends StandardSchemaWithJSON
     : StandardSchemaWithJSON.InferOutput<TSchema>
   : Record<string, unknown>
 
+export type MCPAccessArgs = {
+  permissions?: SanitizedPermissions
+  req: PayloadRequest
+}
+
+export type CollectionMCPAccessArgs = {
+  collectionSlug: CollectionSlug
+} & MCPAccessArgs
+
+export type GlobalMCPAccessArgs = {
+  globalSlug: GlobalSlug
+} & MCPAccessArgs
+
 export type ToolHandlerArgs<TSchema = undefined> = {
   authorizedMCP: AuthorizedMCP
   input: TypedInput<TSchema>
@@ -96,6 +99,8 @@ export type GlobalToolHandlerArgs<TSchema = undefined> = {
 } & ToolHandlerArgs<TSchema>
 
 export type Tool<TSchema extends ToolInputSchema | undefined = ToolInputSchema | undefined> = {
+  access?: (args: MCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
+  annotations?: ToolAnnotations
   description: string
   handler: (args: ToolHandlerArgs<TSchema>) => MaybePromise<MCPToolResponse>
   input?: TSchema
@@ -105,30 +110,37 @@ export type Tool<TSchema extends ToolInputSchema | undefined = ToolInputSchema |
   overrideResponse?: MCPResponseOverride
 }
 
-/**
- * `TSchema` is the schema itself (Standard Schema, raw JSON Schema, or undefined).
- * The function-form variant of `input` carries a concrete `{ collectionSchema: JsonSchemaType }`
- * parameter type so callers can write `({ collectionSchema }) => …` without annotating it.
- */
 export type CollectionTool<
   TSchema extends ToolInputSchema | undefined = ToolInputSchema | undefined,
 > = {
+  access?: (args: CollectionMCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
   handler: (args: CollectionToolHandlerArgs<TSchema>) => MaybePromise<MCPToolResponse>
-  input?: ((args: { collectionSchema: JsonSchemaType }) => TSchema) | TSchema
-} & Pick<Tool, 'description' | 'overrideResponse'>
+  input?: TSchema
+} & Pick<Tool, 'annotations' | 'description' | 'overrideResponse'>
 
 export type GlobalTool<TSchema extends ToolInputSchema | undefined = ToolInputSchema | undefined> =
   {
+    access?: (args: GlobalMCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
     handler: (args: GlobalToolHandlerArgs<TSchema>) => MaybePromise<MCPToolResponse>
-    input?: ((args: { globalSchema: JsonSchemaType }) => TSchema) | TSchema
-  } & Pick<Tool, 'description' | 'overrideResponse'>
+    input?: TSchema
+  } & Pick<Tool, 'annotations' | 'description' | 'overrideResponse'>
 
 /**
  * Configures (or disables) a built-in tool without replacing it.
  * `handler?: never` prevents a full `CollectionTool`/`GlobalTool` (which has a
  * required handler) from being silently accepted at a built-in key slot.
  */
-export type MCPBuiltInToolOverride = {
+export type MCPBuiltInCollectionToolOverride = {
+  access?: (args: CollectionMCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
+  annotations?: ToolAnnotations
+  description?: string
+  handler?: never
+  overrideResponse?: MCPResponseOverride
+}
+
+export type MCPBuiltInGlobalToolOverride = {
+  access?: (args: GlobalMCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
+  annotations?: ToolAnnotations
   description?: string
   handler?: never
   overrideResponse?: MCPResponseOverride
@@ -142,13 +154,13 @@ export type MCPBuiltInToolOverride = {
 export type MCPTopLevelToolEntry = Tool
 
 export type MCPCollectionToolsMap = {
-  [customToolName: string]: boolean | CollectionTool | MCPBuiltInToolOverride | undefined
+  [customToolName: string]: boolean | CollectionTool | MCPBuiltInCollectionToolOverride | undefined
 } & {
-  [K in MCPCollectionBuiltinName]?: false | MCPBuiltInToolOverride
+  [K in MCPCollectionBuiltinName]?: false | MCPBuiltInCollectionToolOverride
 }
 
 export type MCPAuthCollectionToolsMap = {
-  [K in MCPCollectionAuthToolName]?: MCPBuiltInToolOverride | true
+  [K in MCPCollectionAuthToolName]?: MCPBuiltInCollectionToolOverride | true
 } & MCPCollectionToolsMap
 
 /** Auth-enabled collections get auth-tool name autocomplete; others get CRUD-only. */
@@ -157,9 +169,9 @@ export type MCPToolsMapForCollection<Slug extends CollectionSlug> = Slug extends
   : MCPCollectionToolsMap
 
 export type MCPGlobalToolsMap = {
-  [customToolName: string]: boolean | GlobalTool | MCPBuiltInToolOverride | undefined
+  [customToolName: string]: boolean | GlobalTool | MCPBuiltInGlobalToolOverride | undefined
 } & {
-  [K in MCPGlobalBuiltinName]?: false | MCPBuiltInToolOverride
+  [K in MCPGlobalBuiltinName]?: false | MCPBuiltInGlobalToolOverride
 }
 
 export type MCPTopLevelToolsMap = Record<string, Tool>
@@ -171,6 +183,7 @@ export type PromptHandlerArgs<TSchema = undefined> = {
 }
 
 export type Prompt<TSchema extends ToolInputSchema = ToolInputSchema> = {
+  access?: (args: MCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
   argsSchema: TSchema
   description: string
   handler: (args: PromptHandlerArgs<TSchema>) => MaybePromise<{
@@ -188,6 +201,7 @@ export type ResourceHandlerArgs = {
 }
 
 export type Resource = {
+  access?: (args: MCPAccessArgs) => MaybePromise<boolean>
   description: string
   handler: (args: ResourceHandlerArgs) => MaybePromise<{
     contents: Array<{ text: string; uri: string }>
@@ -221,34 +235,34 @@ export type MCPPluginConfig = {
   collections?: {
     [Slug in CollectionSlug]?: MCPPluginCollectionConfig<Slug>
   }
-  /** Skip MCP registration. The API key collection is still added (so DB / types stay stable). */
+  /** Skip MCP endpoint registration. */
   disabled?: boolean
   globals?: {
     [Slug in GlobalSlug]?: MCPPluginGlobalConfig
   }
+  hooks?: {
+    /** Transform a tool response after its handler returns */
+    afterToolCall?: MCPAfterToolCallHook[]
+  }
   mcp?: {
     serverOptions?: MCPServerOptions
     verboseLogs?: boolean
   }
-  overrideApiKeyCollection?: (collection: CollectionConfig) => CollectionConfig
-  /** Replace the default API-key auth with a custom resolver. */
-  overrideAuth?: (args: {
-    getAPIKeyDoc: (overrideApiKey?: string) => Promise<MCPAPIKeysDoc>
-    getAuthorizedMCP: (args: { apiKeyDoc: MCPAPIKeysDoc }) => AuthorizedMCP
-    pluginConfig: SanitizedMCPPluginConfig
-    req: PayloadRequest
-  }) => MaybePromise<AuthorizedMCP>
+  /** Replace the default MCP authorization resolver. */
+  overrideGetAuthorizedMCP?: (
+    args: {
+      pluginConfig: SanitizedMCPPluginConfig
+    } & GetAuthorizedMCPArgs,
+  ) => MaybePromise<AuthorizedMCP>
   prompts?: Record<string, Prompt>
   resources?: Record<string, Resource>
   /** Cross-cutting tools (not scoped to any collection or global). */
   tools?: MCPTopLevelToolsMap
-  userCollection?: CollectionSlug
 }
 
 export type SanitizedMCPPluginConfig = {
   items: MCPItem[]
-  userCollection: CollectionSlug
-} & Pick<MCPPluginConfig, 'disabled' | 'mcp' | 'overrideApiKeyCollection' | 'overrideAuth'>
+} & Pick<MCPPluginConfig, 'disabled' | 'hooks' | 'mcp' | 'overrideGetAuthorizedMCP'>
 
 export type MCPServerOptions = {
   options?: ConstructorParameters<typeof McpServer>[1]
@@ -256,71 +270,32 @@ export type MCPServerOptions = {
 }
 
 /**
- * Nested access tree as stored in the collection.
- * A `false` leaf disables that tool; missing keys defer to
- * defaults (built-in CRUD is on, opt-in tools are off).
- */
-export type MCPAPIKeysDocAccessTree = {
-  collections?: {
-    [CollectionSlug: CollectionSlug]: {
-      [ToolKey: string]: boolean
-    }
-  }
-  globals?: {
-    [GlobalSlug: GlobalSlug]: {
-      [ToolKey: string]: boolean
-    }
-  }
-  prompts?: {
-    [PromptKey: string]: boolean
-  }
-  resources?: {
-    [ResourceKey: string]: boolean
-  }
-  tools?: {
-    [ToolKey: string]: boolean
-  }
-}
-
-/**
- * Stored on `payload-mcp-api-keys` docs
- */
-export type MCPAPIKeysDoc = {
-  access: MCPAPIKeysDocAccessTree
-  id: DefaultDocumentIDType
-  overrideAccess?: boolean
-  user: null | TypedUser
-}
-
-/**
- * One MCP primitive — tool, prompt, or resource — paired with the metadata both
- * the endpoint and the API key collection need. Built by `sanitizeMCPConfig`,
- * filtered by `getAuthorizedMCP`, registered by the MCP endpoint.
+ * One MCP primitive plus the metadata needed for config-driven filtering and
+ * registration.
  *
- *  - `key`: the config identifier (`find`, `echo`). Used for the API-key deny
- *    lookup and as the admin checkbox field name. For collection/global tools,
- *    the MCP wire name (`findPosts`) is derived from `key + slug` at
- *    registration time.
- *  - `label`: human-readable admin-UI display text for the checkbox.
- *  - `tool` / `prompt` / `resource`: the live primitive (its own
- *    `description` is what both MCP clients and the admin UI surface).
+ * - `configKey`: the config identifier, e.g. `find` or `echo`.
+ * - `mcpName`: the MCP wire name, e.g. `findDocuments` or `echo`.
+ * - `label`: human-readable display text.
  */
 export type MCPItemBase = {
-  key: string
+  configKey: string
   label: string
+  mcpName: string
 }
 
+export type CollectionMCPItem = {
+  collectionSlug: CollectionSlug
+  tool: CollectionTool
+  type: 'collectionTool'
+} & MCPItemBase
+
+export type GlobalMCPItem = {
+  globalSlug: GlobalSlug
+  tool: GlobalTool
+  type: 'globalTool'
+} & MCPItemBase
+
 export type MCPItem =
-  | ({
-      collectionSlug: CollectionSlug
-      tool: CollectionTool
-      type: 'collectionTool'
-    } & MCPItemBase)
-  | ({
-      globalSlug: GlobalSlug
-      tool: GlobalTool
-      type: 'globalTool'
-    } & MCPItemBase)
   | ({
       prompt: Prompt
       type: 'prompt'
@@ -333,15 +308,17 @@ export type MCPItem =
       tool: Tool
       type: 'tool'
     } & MCPItemBase)
+  | CollectionMCPItem
+  | GlobalMCPItem
 
 /**
- * The caller's identity + the MCP items they can use for this request. Returned
- * by `getAuthorizedMCP`; denied items are simply absent from `items`. Handlers
- * receive this via `args.authorizedMCP` so they can spread
- * `localAPIDefaults(authorizedMCP)` into every local API call.
+ * The caller's identity + the MCP items authorized for this request. Disabled
+ * items and items blocked by access callbacks or Payload operation access are
+ * absent from `items`. Tool handlers receive this via `args.authorizedMCP` so
+ * they can spread `localAPIDefaults(authorizedMCP)` into every local API call.
  */
 export type AuthorizedMCP = {
   items: MCPItem[]
   overrideAccess: boolean
-  user: null | TypedUser
+  user: null | User
 }

package/src/utils/getPluginConfig.ts

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import type { SanitizedMCPPluginConfig } from '../types.js'
 /**
  * Returns the sanitized plugin config — the form produced by
  * `sanitizeMCPConfig` and stashed back on the plugin's `options` during init.
- * Callers downstream of plugin init can rely on `items`, `userCollection`, etc.
+ * Callers downstream of plugin init can rely on `items` and other defaults
  * being fully resolved.
  */
 export const getPluginConfig: (args: { config: SanitizedConfig }) => SanitizedMCPPluginConfig = ({

package/src/utils/schemaConversion/getEntityInputSchema.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+import {
+  type CollectionSlug,
+  entityToStandaloneJSONSchema,
+  type GlobalSlug,
+  type PayloadRequest,
+  type SanitizedCollectionConfig,
+  type SanitizedGlobalConfig,
+} from 'payload'
+
+import type { JsonSchemaType } from '../../types.js'
+
+import { sanitizeEntitySchema } from './sanitizeEntitySchema.js'
+
+export const getCollectionInputSchema = ({
+  collectionSlug,
+  req,
+}: {
+  collectionSlug: CollectionSlug
+  req: PayloadRequest
+}): JsonSchemaType | null => {
+  const collection = req.payload.collections[collectionSlug]?.config
+
+  if (!collection) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  return buildEntityInputSchema({ entity: collection, req })
+}
+
+export const getGlobalInputSchema = ({
+  globalSlug,
+  req,
+}: {
+  globalSlug: GlobalSlug
+  req: PayloadRequest
+}): JsonSchemaType | null => {
+  const global = req.payload.config.globals.find((globalConfig) => globalConfig.slug === globalSlug)
+
+  if (!global) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  return buildEntityInputSchema({ entity: global, req })
+}
+
+const buildEntityInputSchema = ({
+  entity,
+  req,
+}: {
+  entity: SanitizedCollectionConfig | SanitizedGlobalConfig
+  req: PayloadRequest
+}): JsonSchemaType =>
+  // The `input` variant is already the write shape; sanitizeEntitySchema only adds MCP-specific passes.
+  sanitizeEntitySchema(
+    entityToStandaloneJSONSchema({
+      config: req.payload.config,
+      defaultIDType: req.payload.db.defaultIDType,
+      entity,
+      i18n: req.i18n,
+      variant: 'input',
+    }) as unknown as JsonSchemaType,
+  )

package/src/utils/schemaConversion/sanitizeEntitySchema.spec.ts

@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ import type { JsonSchemaType } from '../../types.js'
 import { sanitizeEntitySchema } from './sanitizeEntitySchema.js'
 
 describe('sanitizeEntitySchema', () => {
-  it('keeps a Lexical node union strict (oneOf) while simplifying relationship values to IDs', () => {
-    // Shaped like the schema the MCP server prepares for a collection with a Lexical richText field:
-    // a `$defs` node union (a `oneOf` of node shapes) where a relationship node's `value` is either
-    // an ID or a `$ref` to the populated related collection.
+  it('renames the Lexical node-union definition to a short name and keeps it a strict oneOf', () => {
+    // Shaped like the schema the MCP server prepares for a collection with a Lexical richText field
+    // (Payload's `input` variant): a `$defs` node union (a `oneOf` of node shapes). The input variant
+    // already types the relationship node's `value` as a bare ID - there is no populated-doc `$ref` to
+    // reduce here (the variant did that upstream), so sanitize leaves the value untouched.
     const standalone: JsonSchemaType = {
       type: 'object',
       $defs: {
@@ -25,17 +26,12 @@ describe('sanitizeEntitySchema', () => {
               additionalProperties: false,
               properties: {
                 type: { const: 'relationship' },
-                value: { oneOf: [{ type: 'string' }, { $ref: '#/$defs/posts' }] },
+                value: { type: 'string', description: 'The related document ID.' },
               },
               required: ['type'],
             },
           ],
         },
-        posts: {
-          type: 'object',
-          additionalProperties: false,
-          properties: { id: { type: 'string' }, title: { type: 'string' } },
-        },
       },
       properties: {
         id: { type: 'string' },
@@ -57,7 +53,7 @@ describe('sanitizeEntitySchema', () => {
       type: 'object',
       $defs: {
         // The node union is renamed to a short, readable `node`, and stays a strict discriminated
-        // `oneOf` - not loosened to `anyOf`...
+        // `oneOf` - not loosened to `anyOf`.
         node: {
           oneOf: [
             {
@@ -71,21 +67,18 @@ describe('sanitizeEntitySchema', () => {
               additionalProperties: false,
               properties: {
                 type: { const: 'relationship' },
-                // ...while the relationship `value` is simplified to a bare ID (the populated-doc `$ref` is dropped).
-                value: { type: 'string', description: 'The ID of the related "posts" document.' },
+                // The value is already ID-only from the input variant - left as-is.
+                value: { type: 'string', description: 'The related document ID.' },
               },
               required: ['type'],
             },
           ],
         },
-        posts: {
-          type: 'object',
-          additionalProperties: false,
-          properties: { id: { type: 'string' }, title: { type: 'string' } },
-        },
       },
       properties: {
-        // `id` is dropped - it's a Payload-managed field MCP clients never set.
+        // Managed fields (createdAt/updatedAt/_status) are excluded upstream by the `input` variant;
+        // `id` stays because it's a valid optional input (a client may supply a custom ID).
+        id: { type: 'string' },
         content: {
           type: 'object',
           properties: {