Overview
What is mcp-server?
mcp-server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server built with mcp‑framework. It provides a project template and CLI tools for defining, adding, and testing custom MCP tools, and is designed for developers who want to create MCP‑compliant tools for use with AI assistants like Claude Desktop.
How to use mcp-server?
Install dependencies with npm install, build the project with npm run build, then use the CLI to add tools (e.g., mcp add tool my-tool). Tools are defined in TypeScript using the MCPTool class and Zod schemas. After publishing to npm, users can run the server via npx or add it to their Claude Desktop configuration.
Key features of mcp-server
- Built on mcp‑framework for standard MCP compliance
- CLI to scaffold new tools (
mcp add tool <name>) - TypeScript tool structure with Zod input validation
- Auto‑loading of tools on server startup
- Instructions for local development and npm publishing
- Configuration templates for Claude Desktop integration
Use cases of mcp-server
- Creating a custom MCP tool to process data (e.g., a
data-processor) - Building an API client tool that wraps a REST or GraphQL endpoint
- Developing a file‑handling tool that reads/writes local files
- Prototyping and testing new MCP capabilities before publishing
- Creating internal tools for use with Claude Desktop in a team environment
FAQ from mcp-server
What runtime dependencies does mcp-server require?
Node.js is required for building and running the server. The README uses node and npx commands and assumes a Node.js environment.
How do I add a new tool to mcp-server?
Run mcp add tool <tool-name> from the project root. The CLI scaffolds a tool file in src/tools/. Edit the generated file to define the tool’s name, description, schema, and execute logic.
Where do I configure mcp-server for Claude Desktop?
For local development, add a JSON entry to claude_desktop_config.json pointing to your built dist/index.js. For a published npm package, use npx mcp-server as the command.
Can I publish mcp-server to npm?
Yes. Update package.json with a unique name, version, and bin entry, then run npm login and npm publish. Users can then install and run it with npx mcp-server.
What transport or authentication does mcp-server use?
The README does not specify any transport protocol or authentication mechanism beyond standard MCP. It focuses on tool development and local/remote execution via Node.js.
