Getting Started with Remote MCP Servers using Azure Functions (Python)

What is Getting Started with Remote MCP Servers using Azure Functions (Python)?

A quickstart template to build and deploy a custom remote MCP server to Azure Functions using Python. It is secured by design with keys and HTTPS, and supports options for OAuth, API Management, and VNET isolation.

How to use Getting Started with Remote MCP Servers using Azure Functions (Python)?

Set up prerequisites: Python 3.11+, Azure Functions Core Tools, and Azurite storage emulator. Run locally by changing to src, running pip install -r requirements.txt, then func start. Connect clients via VS Code Copilot Edits or MCP Inspector using the SSE endpoint http://localhost:7071/runtime/webhooks/mcp/sse. Deploy to Azure with azd up or through Azure Container Apps documentation.

Key features of Getting Started with Remote MCP Servers using Azure Functions (Python)

• Quickstart template for a remote MCP server
• Built with Azure Functions and Python
• Secure by design with keys and HTTPS
• Supports local development and cloud deployment
• Includes sample travel MCP tools via RapidAPI
• Options for OAuth, API Management, and VNET isolation

Use cases of Getting Started with Remote MCP Servers using Azure Functions (Python)

• Build a custom remote MCP server for LLM tools
• Securely expose MCP endpoints in Azure
• Integrate travel APIs as MCP tools
• Experiment with remote MCP servers using Azure Functions

FAQ from Getting Started with Remote MCP Servers using Azure Functions (Python)

What prerequisites are needed?

Python 3.11 or higher, Azure Functions Core Tools, and an Azure Storage emulator (Azurite). Visual Studio Code with the Azure Functions extension is optional for local debugging.

How do I run the server locally?

Start Azurite, then in the src folder run pip install -r requirements.txt followed by func start. The server listens on http://localhost:7071/runtime/webhooks/mcp/sse.

How do I connect an MCP client?

Use the SSE transport with the endpoint URL. For local testing, the URL is http://localhost:7071/runtime/webhooks/mcp/sse. For remote access, include the system key as a code query parameter or as the x-functions-key header.

How do I deploy to Azure?

Run azd up in the project root, or follow the Azure documentation to provision Azure Functions on Azure Container Apps. The deployed endpoint will be secured with a system key by default.

What sample tools are included?

Two MCP tools are defined: get_attractions and get_attractions_reviews, which call the RapidAPI Booking.com API to retrieve travel details.