Following a September blog post announcing a first pilot project for a W3C Open Source Program, we are pleased to announce the second pilot project: a polyfill for the WebMCP specification.
As the specification explains, “WebMCP API is a new JavaScript interface under incubation that allows web developers to expose their web application functionality as “tools” – JavaScript functions with natural language descriptions and structured schemas that can be invoked by agents, browser’s agents, and assistive technologies.” The polyfill project is designed to increase the interoperability of the API at this early stage of development to enable developers to experiment. If WebMCP successfully transitions to the standardization track (as discussed in the context of the draft charter for an Agentic Web Working Group) and native implementations provide direct interoperable implementations, the polyfill would gradually be phased out.
The initial goals of the WebMCP polyfill project are:
- To publish the polyfill as an npm package
- To make progress on two features: lifecycle events and declarative support
- To monitor the evolution of the WebMCP specification and align code as needed
- To keep up with Web Platform Tests coverage
We are also happy to announce the launch of the W3C Open Source Program Community Group, which has been chartered to manage the next phase of growth of the W3C Open Source Program, especially regarding overall program governance. Anyone may join that group at no cost, and W3C Membership is not required.
The community will discuss both pilots and the next phase of the Open Source Program development during W3C’s annual TPAC meeting. Anyone may attend the breakout session “Building a W3C open Source Program” remotely, and registration is not required (but you must have a W3C account to register).
If you would like your project to be considered as a pilot, please let us know via the feedback mechanisms.