MCP Boilerplate

# MCP Boilerplate & Template Repository Analysis ## Overview This document provides a comprehensive analysis of 9 MCP (Model Context Protocol) boilerplate repositories found on GitHub, categorized by complexity, tech stack, and intended use cases. ## Repository Categories ### 🚀 Minimal/Learning-Focused Perfect for getting started with MCP development. #### 1. **mcp-simple-server** (oleksandrsirenko) - **Language**: Python with FastMCP - **Focus**: Minimal implementation (~25 lines) - **Transport**: Streamable HTTP with SSE - **Best For**: Learning MCP fundamentals, testing clients - **Key Feature**: Multiple deployment options (Railway, Heroku, Render, Docker) #### 2. **mcp-dummy-server** (WaiYanNyeinNaing) - **Language**: Python - **Focus**: Educational mathematical tool chaining - **Best For**: Understanding tool-based LLM reasoning - **Key Feature**: Multi-platform client configuration examples #### 3. **hello-world-mcp-server** (jageenshukla) - **Language**: TypeScript - **Focus**: Educational with comprehensive documentation - **Transport**: Express with SSE - **Best For**: Learning MCP architecture and concepts - **Key Feature**: Modular structure with blog post companion ### 🛠️ Template/Boilerplate-Focused Ready-to-use templates for rapid development. #### 4. **fastmcp-boilerplate** (punkpeye) - **Language**: TypeScript - **Focus**: Developer experience and CI/CD - **Best For**: Projects prioritizing code quality and automation - **Key Feature**: GitHub Actions with semantic release #### 5. **mcp-template-ts** (Better Stack Community) - **Language**: TypeScript - **Focus**: Minimal template with pnpm - **Best For**: Quick TypeScript MCP setup - **Key Feature**: Community-maintained simplicity ### 🏗️ Architecture-Focused Advanced architectural patterns and extensibility. #### 6. **mcp-server-boilerplate** (josharsh) - **Language**: Python with FastMCP - **Focus**: Production-ready extensible architecture - **Transport**: Multiple (STDIO, SSE, HTTP) - **Best For**: Large-scale, extensible MCP implementations - **Key Feature**: Registry-based component system #### 7. **boilerplate-mcp-server** (aashari) - **Language**: TypeScript with Node.js - **Focus**: Layered architecture with external API integration - **Best For**: MCP servers connecting to external services - **Key Feature**: 5-layer architecture with CLI support ### 🏢 Enterprise/Production-Ready Full-featured solutions for production deployments. #### 8. **mcp-server-boilerplate** (chrisleekr) - **Language**: TypeScript - **Focus**: OAuth integration and enterprise deployment - **Transport**: HTTP Streamable - **Best For**: Enterprise applications requiring OAuth - **Key Feature**: Dynamic Application Registration with Auth0 support #### 9. **mcp-example** (iddv) - **Language**: Python with FastMCP 2.0 - **Focus**: Comprehensive reference with AI reasoning examples - **Best For**: Advanced MCP development and AI integration - **Key Feature**: Minesweeper AI reasoning demo + AWS Bedrock integration ## Tech Stack Analysis ### Language Distribution - **Python**: 4 repositories (44%) - Focus on FastMCP framework - Educational and production examples - **TypeScript**: 5 repositories (56%) - Enterprise and developer-focused - Better tooling and type safety ### Transport Protocols - **HTTP with SSE**: Most common (7 repositories) - **STDIO**: Supported in production boilerplates - **WebSocket**: Advanced implementations only - **Multiple Transports**: 3 repositories support multiple protocols ### Key Frameworks - **FastMCP**: Preferred Python framework (4 repositories) - **@modelcontextprotocol/sdk**: TypeScript standard (3 repositories) - **Express**: Used in educational examples ## Architecture Patterns ### Simple Patterns (Learning-Focused) - Single file implementations - Direct tool registration - Minimal dependencies - Focus on MCP concept demonstration ### Modular Patterns (Production-Ready) - Layered architecture - Registry-based systems - Dependency injection - Separation of concerns ### Enterprise Patterns (Full-Featured) - OAuth integration - Multiple transport support - Comprehensive error handling - Deployment automation ## Feature Comparison Matrix | Repository | Language | Transport | Auth | Docker | Testing | Docs | Complexity | |------------|----------|-----------|------|--------|---------|------|------------| | mcp-simple-server | Python | HTTP/SSE | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low | | mcp-dummy-server | Python | Basic | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low | | hello-world-mcp-server | TypeScript | HTTP/SSE | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low | | fastmcp-boilerplate | TypeScript | HTTP | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | | mcp-template-ts | TypeScript | Basic | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⭐⭐ | Low | | josharsh-boilerplate | Python | Multiple | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High | | aashari-boilerplate | TypeScript | Multiple | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High | | chrisleekr-boilerplate | TypeScript | HTTP | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very High | | iddv-mcp-example | Python | Multiple | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very High | ## Recommendations by Use Case ### 🎓 Learning MCP Development 1. **hello-world-mcp-server** - Best documentation and educational approach 2. **mcp-dummy-server** - Great for understanding tool chaining 3. **mcp-simple-server** - Minimal implementation for core concepts ### 🚀 Quick Prototyping 1. **mcp-template-ts** - Minimal TypeScript setup 2. **fastmcp-boilerplate** - TypeScript with good tooling 3. **mcp-simple-server** - Python with deployment options ### 🏗️ Production Development 1. **josharsh-boilerplate** - Extensible Python architecture 2. **aashari-boilerplate** - Layered TypeScript architecture 3. **iddv-mcp-example** - Comprehensive Python with FastMCP 2.0 ### 🏢 Enterprise Applications 1. **chrisleekr-boilerplate** - OAuth integration and Kubernetes deployment 2. **iddv-mcp-example** - AWS integration and advanced features 3. **josharsh-boilerplate** - Production-ready with multiple transports ## Key Insights ### Emerging Patterns - **FastMCP Framework**: Becoming standard for Python MCP development - **TypeScript Adoption**: Growing preference for type safety - **Multiple Transports**: Production applications support STDIO, HTTP, and WebSocket - **Authentication Integration**: OAuth becoming standard for enterprise applications ### Architecture Evolution - **Simple → Modular → Enterprise**: Clear progression in complexity - **Registry Patterns**: Advanced implementations use component registries - **Layered Architecture**: Enterprise solutions adopt clean architecture principles - **External Integration**: Focus on connecting MCP to external APIs and services ### Developer Experience Focus - **Comprehensive Documentation**: Educational repositories prioritize learning - **Tooling Integration**: CI/CD, linting, and testing are becoming standard - **Multi-Platform Support**: Client configuration examples for various editors - **Template Philosophy**: Explicit focus on fork-ready templates ### Production Readiness Factors - **Authentication**: OAuth 2.0 integration for enterprise use - **Deployment**: Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platform support - **Monitoring**: Logging and error handling systems - **Scalability**: Multiple transport protocols and session management ## Technology Trends ### Python Ecosystem - **FastMCP dominance** in Python implementations - **Poetry** for dependency management in advanced projects - **Focus on simplicity** and educational value ### TypeScript Ecosystem - **@modelcontextprotocol/sdk** as standard library - **Express integration** for HTTP transport - **Emphasis on type safety** and developer experience ### Deployment Trends - **Container-first approach** with Docker support - **Kubernetes integration** for enterprise deployments - **Multiple cloud platform support** (Railway, Heroku, Render) - **CI/CD integration** with GitHub Actions This analysis provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding the MCP ecosystem and selecting appropriate boilerplates for different project requirements.