Feature: AI-Powered Alternative UI for Firefly III

[RadCod3]

Overview

Proposal to evolve LamPyrid from a pure MCP server into a comprehensive AI-powered alternative UI for Firefly III, while preserving the existing MCP functionality.

Current State

LamPyrid successfully provides 18 MCP tools for Firefly III interaction:

• Account management (3 tools)
• Transaction operations (10 tools)
• Budget management (5 tools)

Proposed Evolution

Architecture

• Modular Design: Keep existing MCP server as lampyrid-mcp command
• Shared Backend: Common API abstraction and business logic layers
• New UI Layer: Web application consuming same core services

AI-Powered Features

• Conversational Finance: Natural language queries and commands
• Smart Insights: AI-driven spending analysis, predictions, recommendations
• Automated Categorization: AI-powered transaction tagging and classification
• Natural Operations: "Add $50 coffee purchase to Starbucks card" style commands

UI Concepts to Explore

1. Chat-centric: Main interface is conversational AI with visual overlays
2. Dashboard + Chat: Traditional finance dashboard with AI assistant
3. AI-first: Minimal UI where most interactions happen through natural language

Implementation Considerations

Preserve MCP Value

• Existing tool structure provides solid foundation
• API abstraction layer can power both MCP and UI
• Configuration management remains useful for both deployments

Technical Stack

• Backend: Keep Python/FastMCP, add FastAPI for web UI
• Frontend: TBD (React/Vue/Svelte exploration needed)
• Database: Optional caching layer for performance

Migration Path

1. Extract shared services from current MCP implementation
2. Create web API layer using same business logic
3. Build UI components progressively
4. Maintain backward compatibility for MCP users