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MCP Server Example

MCP Server Example

This repository contains an implementation of a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for educational purposes. This code demonstrates how to build a functional MCP server that can integrate with various LLM clients.

To follow the complete tutorial, please refer to the YouTube video tutorial.

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to LLMs. Think of MCP like a USB-C port for AI applications - it provides a standardized way to connect AI models to different data sources and tools.

MCP Diagram

Key Benefits

  • A growing list of pre-built integrations that your LLM can directly plug into

  • Flexibility to switch between LLM providers and vendors

  • Best practices for securing your data within your infrastructure

Related MCP server: MCP Tools

Architecture Overview

MCP follows a client-server architecture where a host application can connect to multiple servers:

  • MCP Hosts: Programs like Claude Desktop, IDEs, or AI tools that want to access data through MCP

  • MCP Clients: Protocol clients that maintain 1:1 connections with servers

  • MCP Servers: Lightweight programs that expose specific capabilities through the standardized Model Context Protocol

  • Data Sources: Both local (files, databases) and remote services (APIs) that MCP servers can access

Core MCP Concepts

MCP servers can provide three main types of capabilities:

  • Resources: File-like data that can be read by clients (like API responses or file contents)

  • Tools: Functions that can be called by the LLM (with user approval)

  • Prompts: Pre-written templates that help users accomplish specific tasks

System Requirements

  • Python 3.10 or higher

  • MCP SDK 1.2.0 or higher

  • uv package manager

Getting Started

Installing uv Package Manager

On MacOS/Linux:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Make sure to restart your terminal afterwards to ensure that the uv command gets picked up.

Project Setup

  1. Create and initialize the project:

# Create a new directory for our project
uv init mcp-server
cd mcp-server

# Create virtual environment and activate it
uv venv
source .venv/bin/activate  # On Windows use: .venv\Scripts\activate

# Install dependencies
uv add "mcp[cli]" httpx
  1. Create the server implementation file:

touch main.py

Running the Server

  1. Start the MCP server:

uv run main.py
  1. The server will start and be ready to accept connections

Connecting to Claude Desktop

  1. Install Claude Desktop from the official website

  2. Configure Claude Desktop to use your MCP server:

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "mcp-server": {
            "command": "uv",  # It's better to use the absolute path to the uv command
            "args": [
                "--directory",
                "/ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/YOUR/mcp-server",
                "run",
                "main.py"
            ]
        }
    }
}
  1. Restart Claude Desktop

Troubleshooting

If your server isn't being picked up by Claude Desktop:

  1. Check the configuration file path and permissions

  2. Verify the absolute path in the configuration is correct

  3. Ensure uv is properly installed and accessible

  4. Check Claude Desktop logs for any error messages

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.

Available Tools

1 tool
get_docsA

Search the latest docs for a given query and library. Supports langchain, openai, and llama-index.

Args: query: The query to search for (e.g. "Chroma DB") library: The library to search in (e.g. "langchain")

Returns: Text from the docs

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queryYes
libraryYes

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden for behavioral disclosure. It notes that the tool searches 'latest docs' and returns text, implying a read-only operation, but does not mention potential network dependency, error cases, or any side effects. This is adequate but not rich.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise and well-structured: a one-sentence purpose statement followed by clear Args/Returns sections. Every sentence adds value, and information is front-loaded.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a 2-parameter tool with no output schema, the description provides sufficient context: purpose, supported libraries, parameter guidance, and return type. It lacks explicit error handling or formatting details, but these are not critical for this simple search tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters5/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must fully explain the parameters. It does so effectively with an Args section providing both meaning and examples for 'query' and 'library', plus listing supported library values in the main description.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's function: 'Search the latest docs for a given query and library.' It specifies the resource (docs), the verb (search), and scope (latest), and distinguishes from sibling Chroma DB tools by focusing on doc search for specific libraries.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description indicates when to use the tool (when searching docs for langchain, openai, or llama-index) through the list of supported libraries. However, it lacks explicit exclusions or alternative tool references, so it doesn't fully meet the 'when-not/alternatives' criterion.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 1 tool updatev0.1.0
    • First observedget_docs

TDQS

A4.1/5.0

Scored across 1 tool

Disambiguation5/5

With only a single tool in the set, there is no possibility of confusing it with another tool. Its purpose (searching library documentation by query and library name) is clearly stated.

Naming Consistency5/5

The lone name get_docs follows a clean verb_noun snake_case convention. No inconsistency is possible within a one-tool surface, though it's worth noting 'get' is slightly at odds with the described search behavior.

Tool Count2/5

A single search tool is very thin for a docs-lookup server; agents have no way to list supported libraries or fetch a specific document. One tool earns its place but the surface feels under-scoped rather than well-scoped.

Completeness2/5

Only a query-based search exists, with no listing of available libraries, no fetch-by-id/page retrieval, and no error or fallback path. Notable gaps will force agents to rely on trial-and-error query strings to reach specific content.

Maintenance

ActivityMaintained
ResponsivenessNo issues

Related MCP Connectors

Related MCP Servers

  • A
    license
    Not graded
    quality
    D
    maintenance
    A custom Model Context Protocol server that gives Claude Desktop and other LLMs access to file system operations and command execution capabilities through standardized tool interfaces.
    23
    Apache 2.0
  • F
    license
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    quality
    D
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    A Model Context Protocol server that bridges MCP clients with local LLM services, enabling seamless integration with MCP-compatible applications through standard tools like chat completion, model listing, and health checks.
    -