mcp-builder

name	mcp-builder
description	Guide for creating high-quality MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers.

MCP Server Development Guide

Overview

Create MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that enable LLMs to interact with external services through well-designed tools.

High-Level Workflow

Phase 1: Deep Research and Planning

1. Understand Modern MCP Design:
   • Balance API coverage vs workflow tools.
   • Use clear, descriptive tool names (e.g., github_create_issue).
   • Provide concise tool descriptions and actionable error messages.
2. Study Documentation:
   • Protocol Specs: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/draft.md
   • Best Practices: [📋 View Best Practices](./reference/mcp_best_practices.md)
3. Choose Stack:
   • TypeScript (Recommended): High-quality SDK, strong typing.
   • Python: Good for data/ML heavy integration.
4. Plan Implementation:
   • Review service API.
   • Select tools to implement (common operations first).

Phase 2: Implementation

1. Project Structure:
   • TypeScript: package.json, tsconfig.json, src/index.ts.
   • Python: pyproject.toml, server.py.
2. Core Infrastructure:
   • Auth, Error handling, Pagination.
3. Implement Tools:
   • Input Schema: Zod (TS) or Pydantic (Python).
   • Output Schema: Structured data + text.
   • Description: Summary, parameters, return type.
   • Annotations: readOnlyHint, destructiveHint.

Phase 3: Review and Test

• Code Quality: DRY, Error handling, Type coverage.
• Build: npm run build or py_compile.
• Test: Use npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector.

Phase 4: Evaluations

• Create 10 independent, read-only, complex questions to verify the server.
• Format as XML evaluations.

Reference Files

(Note: Source references are available in external/skills_repos/anthropic-skills/skills/mcp-builder/reference)

• Protocol Spec
• TypeScript SDK
• Python SDK