Build, test, inspect, install, and deploy MCP servers with FastMCP in Python. Use when creating a new MCP server, wrapping an API or database as MCP tools, exposing resources or prompts, or preparing a FastMCP server for Claude Code, Cursor, or HTTP deployment.
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name
fastmcp
description
Build, test, inspect, install, and deploy MCP servers with FastMCP in Python. Use when creating a new MCP server, wrapping an API or database as MCP tools, exposing resources or prompts, or preparing a FastMCP server for Claude Code, Cursor, or HTTP deployment.
Build MCP servers in Python with FastMCP, validate them locally, install them into MCP clients, and deploy them as HTTP endpoints.
When to Use
Use this skill when the task is to:
create a new MCP server in Python
wrap an API, database, CLI, or file-processing workflow as MCP tools
expose resources or prompts in addition to tools
smoke-test a server with the FastMCP CLI before wiring it into Hermes or another client
install a server into Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, or a similar MCP client
prepare a FastMCP server repo for HTTP deployment
Use native-mcp when the server already exists and only needs to be connected to Hermes. Use mcporter when the goal is ad-hoc CLI access to an existing MCP server instead of building one.
Prerequisites
Install FastMCP in the working environment first:
pip install fastmcp
fastmcp version
For the API template, install httpx if it is not already present:
pip install httpx
Included Files
Templates
templates/api_wrapper.py - REST API wrapper with auth header support
templates/database_server.py - read-only SQLite query server
templates/file_processor.py - text-file inspection and search server
Scripts
scripts/scaffold_fastmcp.py - copy a starter template and replace the server name placeholder
References
references/fastmcp-cli.md - FastMCP CLI workflow, installation targets, and deployment checks
Workflow
1. Pick the Smallest Viable Server Shape
Choose the narrowest useful surface area first:
API wrapper: start with 1-3 high-value endpoints, not the whole API
database server: expose read-only introspection and a constrained query path
file processor: expose deterministic operations with explicit path arguments
prompts/resources: add only when the client needs reusable prompt templates or discoverable documents
Prefer a thin server with good names, docstrings, and schemas over a large server with vague tools.
2. Scaffold from a Template
Copy a template directly or use the scaffold helper:
Use fastmcp discover to inspect named MCP servers already configured on the machine.
When the goal is Hermes integration, either:
configure the server in ~/.hermes/config.yaml using the native-mcp skill, or
keep using FastMCP CLI commands during development until the interface stabilizes
7. Deploy After the Local Contract Is Stable
For managed hosting, Prefect Horizon is the path FastMCP documents most directly. Before deployment:
fastmcp inspect acme_server.py:mcp
Make sure the repo contains:
a Python file with the FastMCP server object
requirements.txt or pyproject.toml
any environment-variable documentation needed for deployment
For generic HTTP hosting, validate the HTTP transport locally first, then deploy on any Python-compatible platform that can expose the server port.
Common Patterns
API Wrapper Pattern
Use when exposing a REST or HTTP API as MCP tools.
Recommended first slice:
one read path
one list/search path
optional health check
Implementation notes:
keep auth in environment variables, not hardcoded
centralize request logic in one helper
surface API errors with concise context
normalize inconsistent upstream payloads before returning them
Start from templates/api_wrapper.py.
Database Pattern
Use when exposing safe query and inspection capabilities.
Recommended first slice:
list_tables
describe_table
one constrained read query tool
Implementation notes:
default to read-only DB access
reject non-SELECT SQL in early versions
limit row counts
return rows plus column names
Start from templates/database_server.py.
File Processor Pattern
Use when the server needs to inspect or transform files on demand.
Recommended first slice:
summarize file contents
search within files
extract deterministic metadata
Implementation notes:
accept explicit file paths
check for missing files and encoding failures
cap previews and result counts
avoid shelling out unless a specific external tool is required
Start from templates/file_processor.py.
Quality Bar
Before handing off a FastMCP server, verify all of the following:
server imports cleanly
fastmcp inspect <file.py:mcp> succeeds
fastmcp list <server spec> --json succeeds
every new tool has at least one real fastmcp call
environment variables are documented
the tool surface is small enough to understand without guesswork
Troubleshooting
FastMCP command missing
Install the package in the active environment:
pip install fastmcp
fastmcp version
fastmcp inspect fails
Check that:
the file imports without side effects that crash
the FastMCP instance is named correctly in <file.py:object>
optional dependencies from the template are installed
Tool works in Python but not through CLI
Run:
fastmcp list server.py --json
fastmcp call server.py your_tool_name --json
This usually exposes naming mismatches, missing required arguments, or non-serializable return values.
Hermes cannot see the deployed server
The server-building part may be correct while the Hermes config is not. Load the native-mcp skill and configure the server in ~/.hermes/config.yaml, then restart Hermes.
References
For CLI details, install targets, and deployment checks, read references/fastmcp-cli.md.
