mcp-builder
Guide for creating high-quality MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that enable LLMs to interact with external services through well-designed tools. Use when building MCP servers to integrate external APIs or services, whether in Python (FastMCP) or Node/TypeScript (MCP SDK).
Profile →npx skills add anthropics/skills --skill mcp-builder --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# MCP Server Development Guide ## Overview Create MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that enable LLMs to interact with external services through well-designed tools. The quality of an MCP server is measured by how well it enables LLMs to accomplish real-world tasks. --- # Process ## 🚀 High-Level Workflow Creating a high-quality MCP server involves four main phases: ### Phase 1: Deep Research and Planning #### 1.1 Understand Modern MCP Design **API Coverage vs. Workflow Tools:** Balance comprehensive API endpoint coverage with specialized workflow tools. Workflow tools can be more convenient for specific tasks, while comprehensive coverage gives agents flexibility to compose operations. Performance varies by client—some clients benefit from code execution that combines basic tools, while others work better with higher-level workflows. When uncertain, prioritize comprehensive API coverage. **Tool Naming and Discoverability:** Clear, descriptive tool names help agents find the right tools quickly. Use consistent prefixes (e.g., `github_create_issue`, `github_list_repos`) and action-oriented naming. **Context Management:** Agents benefit from concise tool descriptions and the abilit
- Overview
- 🚀 High-Level Workflow
- Phase 1: Deep Research and Planning
- Phase 2: Implementation
- Phase 3: Review and Test
- Phase 4: Create Evaluations
- 📚 Documentation Library
- Core MCP Documentation (Load First)
- SDK Documentation (Load During Phase 1/2)
- Language-Specific Implementation Guides (Load During Phase 2)
- Evaluation Guide (Load During Phase 4)
What does the mcp-builder skill do?
Guide for creating high-quality MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that enable LLMs to interact with external services through well-designed tools. Use when building MCP servers to integrate external APIs or services, whether in Python (FastMCP) or Node/TypeScript (MCP SDK).
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add anthropics/skills --skill mcp-builder --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From anthropics/skills, a repository with 166,205 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.