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Build MCP Server Guide

Guides an agent through designing and building a Model Context Protocol server for Claude.

Source Download skill
Repository
anthropics/claude-plugins-official
Stars
45,770
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
9 files

What it does

This skill makes the agent act as a guide for building an MCP server, which is a small add-on that lets Claude use an outside tool or service. Instead of writing code right away, the agent first asks questions about what the tool connects to, who will use it, how many actions it needs, and what login it uses. It then recommends one deployment style (usually a hosted remote server, sometimes a bundled local one) and a tool-design pattern, and points to reference files or other skills for the details.

Great for

  • Developers who want to wrap an API or service so Claude can call it
  • Teams deciding whether an MCP server should be hosted remotely or run locally
  • Builders who want guidance on tool design and OAuth before writing code

Skip it if

  • People who only want to use an existing MCP server; this skill is for building one
  • Quick one-off scripts where the design discussion adds no value, since the skill asks questions before scaffolding
  • Anyone expecting it to work without the reference files, which hold the detailed patterns

Try asking

  • “Build an MCP server that wraps our internal REST API for Claude”
  • “Create an MCP integration for our project tracker with OAuth login”
  • “Expose a few tools to Claude that read files on my laptop”
  • “Make an MCP app with a searchable picker for our customer database”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Build MCP Server GuideInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 9 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    build-mcp-server.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip build-mcp-server.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip build-mcp-server.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Describe what the tool connects to and who will use it in your first message so the agent can skip some questions
  • Ask for the remote HTTP option if you plan to share the server, since local setups are harder to distribute
  • Check the referenced docs for current host support, especially for elicitation, which the skill notes is still rolling out

What's inside

  • references/auth.md
  • references/deploy-cloudflare-workers.md
  • references/elicitation.md
  • references/remote-http-scaffold.md
  • references/resources-and-prompts.md
  • references/server-capabilities.md
  • references/tool-design.md
  • references/versions.md
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from anthropics/claude-plugins-official under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.