BigCommerce + MCP Integration Overview
Erik Chen
MCP allows AI assistants to connect with external systems through standardized protocols. For BigCommerce automation, you'd typically:
Set up MCP Server: Create an MCP server that connects to BigCommerce's REST API
Authentication: Use BigCommerce API credentials (store hash, access token)
Define Tools: Create MCP tools for specific BigCommerce operations
AI Integration: Connect your AI assistant to execute business workflows
Basic Implementation Structure
// MCP Server for BigCommerce
const server = new Server({
name: "bigcommerce-mcp",
version: "1.0.0"
});
// Define tools for BigCommerce operations
server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => ({
tools: [
{
name: "get_orders",
description: "Retrieve orders from BigCommerce",
inputSchema: { /* order filters */ }
},
{
name: "update_inventory",
description: "Update product inventory levels",
inputSchema: { /* product and quantity data */ }
}
// More tools...
]
}));
Automation Scenarios
| Scenario Category | Automation Task | Trigger | Actions | Business Value |
| Inventory Management | Low Stock Alert & Reorder | Inventory < threshold | Send alerts, create purchase orders, update suppliers | Prevent stockouts, optimize inventory |
| Order Processing | Order Fulfillment Automation | New order received | Validate payment, update inventory, generate shipping labels | Faster fulfillment, reduced errors |
| Customer Service | Order Status Updates | Order status change | Send SMS/email notifications, update customer portal | Improved customer experience |
| Marketing | Abandoned Cart Recovery | Cart inactive 24hrs | Send personalized emails, offer discounts | Increase conversion rates |
| Pricing | Dynamic Pricing Adjustment | Competitor price change | Analyze market data, adjust product prices | Stay competitive, maximize margins |
| Returns | Return Processing | Return request submitted | Generate return labels, update inventory, process refunds | Streamline returns process |
| Analytics | Sales Performance Reports | Daily/weekly schedule | Generate reports, identify trends, send to stakeholders | Data-driven decision making |
| Customer Segmentation | VIP Customer Identification | Purchase history analysis | Tag high-value customers, create targeted campaigns | Personalized marketing |
| Supplier Management | Purchase Order Generation | Low stock + sales velocity | Calculate reorder quantities, send POs to suppliers | Automated procurement |
| Quality Control | Review Monitoring | New product review | Analyze sentiment, flag negative reviews, notify team | Maintain product quality |
| Seasonal Planning | Holiday Campaign Setup | Calendar trigger | Update product descriptions, adjust inventory, launch promotions | Seasonal optimization |
| Cross-selling | Product Recommendation Engine | Customer browsing behavior | Suggest complementary products, update product pages | Increase average order value |
Key Implementation Components
API Integration Points:
Orders API (status updates, fulfillment)
Catalog API (inventory, pricing)
Customers API (segmentation, communication)
Webhooks (real-time triggers)
External Integrations:
Email/SMS services (notifications)
Shipping carriers (label generation)
Payment processors (refund handling)
Analytics platforms (reporting)
Sample MCP Tool for Order Automation:
server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
if (request.params.name === "process_new_order") {
const { orderId } = request.params.arguments;
// Get order details
const order = await bigCommerceAPI.getOrder(orderId);
// Validate and process
const result = await processOrderWorkflow(order);
return { content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(result) }] };
}
});
The key is identifying repetitive business processes in your BigCommerce store and creating MCP tools that can execute these workflows automatically, triggered by events or schedules. Start with high-impact, low-complexity scenarios like inventory alerts or order notifications, then expand to more sophisticated automation as your system matures.
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