MCP Server Development Guide

Overview

Create MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that enable LLMs to interact with external services through well-designed tools. The quality of an MCP server is measured by how well it enables LLMs to accomplish real-world tasks.

Process

🚀 High-Level Workflow

Creating a high-quality MCP server involves four main phases:

Phase 1: Deep Research and Planning

1.1 Understand Modern MCP Design

API Coverage vs. Workflow Tools: Balance comprehensive API endpoint coverage with specialized workflow tools. Workflow tools can be more convenient for specific tasks, while comprehensive coverage gives agents flexibility to compose operations. Performance varies by client—some clients benefit from code execution that combines basic tools, while others work better with higher-level workflows. When uncertain, prioritize comprehensive API coverage.

Tool Naming and Discoverability: Clear, descriptive tool names help agents find the right tools quickly. Use consistent prefixes (e.g., github_create_issue, github_list_repos) and action-oriented naming.

Context Management: Agents benefit from concise tool descriptions and the ability to filter/paginate results. Design tools that return focused, relevant data. Some clients support code execution which can help agents filter and process data efficiently.

Actionable Error Messages: Error messages should guide agents toward solutions with specific suggestions and next steps.

1.2 Study MCP Protocol Documentation

Navigate the MCP specification:

Start with the sitemap to find relevant pages: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/sitemap.xml

Then fetch specific pages with .md suffix for markdown format (e.g., https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/draft.md).

Key pages to review: - Specification overview and architecture - Transport mechanisms (streamable HTTP, stdio) - Tool, resource, and prompt definitions

1.3 Study Framework Documentation

Recommended stack: - Language: TypeScript (high-quality SDK support and good compatibility in many execution environments e.g. MCPB. Plus AI models are good at generating TypeScript code, benefiting from its broad usage, static typing and good linting tools) - Transport: Streamable HTTP for remote servers, using stateless JSON (simpler to scale and maintain, as opposed to stateful sessions and streaming responses). stdio for local servers.

Load framework documentation:

• MCP Best Practices: 📋 View Best Practices - Core guidelines

For TypeScript (recommended): - TypeScript SDK: Use WebFetch to load https://raw.githubusercontent.com/modelcontextprotocol/typescript-sdk/main/README.md - ⚡ TypeScript Guide - TypeScript patterns and examples

For Python: - Python SDK: Use WebFetch to load https://raw.githubusercontent.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk/main/README.md - 🐍 Python Guide - Python patterns and examples

1.4 Plan Your Implementation

Understand the API: Review the service's API documentation to identify key endpoints, authentication requirements, and data models. Use web search and WebFetch as needed.

Tool Selection: Prioritize comprehensive API coverage. List endpoints to implement, starting with the most common operations.

Phase 2: Implementation

2.1 Set Up Project Structure

See language-specific guides for project setup: - ⚡ TypeScript Guide - Project structure, package.json, tsconfig.json - 🐍 Python Guide - Module organization, dependencies

2.2 Implement Core Infrastructure

Create shared utilities: - API client with authentication - Error handling helpers - Response formatting (JSON/Markdown) - Pagination support

2.3 Implement Tools

For each tool:

Input Schema: - Use Zod (TypeScript) or Pydantic (Python) - Include constraints and clear descriptions - Add examples in field descriptions

Output Schema: - Define outputSchema where possible for structured data - Use structuredContent in tool responses (TypeScript SDK feature) - Helps clients understand and process tool outputs

Tool Description: - Concise summary of functionality - Parameter descriptions - Return type schema

Implementation: - Async/await for I/O operations - Proper error handling with actionable messages - Support pagination where applicable - Return both text content and structured data when using modern SDKs

Annotations: - readOnlyHint: true/false - destructiveHint: true/false - idempotentHint: true/false - openWorldHint: true/false

Phase 3: Review and Test

3.1 Code Quality

Review for: - No duplicated code (DRY principle) - Consistent error handling - Full type coverage - Clear tool descriptions

3.2 Build and Test

TypeScript: - Run `npm ru