MCP Server Management Scripts

This repository contains scripts to easily start and manage MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers for development.

Overview: What is an MCP Server?

An MCP server is a critical component in the AI ecosystem, enabling seamless integration between various AI applications and data sources through the Model Context Protocol. Think of it as a bridge that facilitates communication between powerful AI tools and their respective data contexts. This documentation will guide you through setting up and managing these servers to enhance your AI application development process.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The core features and capabilities of an MCP server include:

Server Management Scripts

• start-mcp-servers.sh: A script that initiates all MCP servers with a single command. This script automatically clears existing log files, runs the servers in foreground mode by default (making it easy to monitor them), and prefixes each line with the server name for clear identification.
• manage-mcp-servers.sh: A versatile management tool offering functionalities such as listing running servers, stopping or starting specific servers, viewing logs, and bringing a server to the foreground.

Running Modes

• Foreground Mode: Starts MCP servers in the current terminal window alongside your other applications for immediate visibility.
• Background Mode: Supports running MCP servers in the background using various methods like iTerm2 tabs, Terminal.app windows, tmux sessions, or simply as background processes with logs saved to files.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of an MCP server revolves around the Model Context Protocol, which ensures that AI applications can interact seamlessly with data sources and tools. The protocol flow can be visualized using a Mermaid diagram:

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

This diagram illustrates how an AI application communicates with a data source via the MCP protocol, facilitated by the MCP server.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To ensure that both management scripts are operational:

chmod +x start-mcp-servers.sh manage-mcp-servers.sh

Starting MCP Servers

To launch all your MCP servers:

./start-mcp-servers.sh

This default setup will:

• Clear any existing log files.
• Run the servers in the foreground with output displayed in the terminal.
• Prefix each line of output with the server name for easy identification.

Running in Background Mode

For background operations, use:

./start-mcp-servers.sh --background

This mode attempts to start servers using preferred methods (iTerm2, Terminal.app, tmux, or as background processes).

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

AI applications like Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor can leverage MCP servers by integrating with a wide range of data sources. Two real-world use cases are:

Use Case 1: Personalized Chatbot Experience

A personalized chatbot application can utilize the MCP server to connect to various external APIs for weather updates or news headlines. For instance:

• Command: npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-weather-api
• Outcome: The chatbot can seamlessly provide up-to-date information based on user requests.

Use Case 2: Knowledge Base Integration

A knowledge base application could use an MCP server to fetch data from APIs or databases. For example:

• Command: npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-kb-api
• Outcome: The application can pull in relevant articles, FAQs, or other reference materials to enrich user interactions.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The table below outlines the compatibility of different MCP clients with this server:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	Full Support	Full Support	Full Support	✅
Continue	Full Support	Full Support	Full Support	✅
Cursor	No Data Source	Full Support	No Prompts	❌

Note that while tools and resources are fully supported, data sources and prompts require additional configuration.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The performance matrix and compatibility for this MCP server cover various scenarios:

• AI Application: Integration is seamless with minimal setup.
• Data Sources/Tools: Requires specific commands to be added in the start-mcp-servers.sh script.
• Prompts: Customizable through environment variables or command-line arguments.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

For advanced configuration, you can edit the start-mcp-servers.sh file:

MCP_SERVERS=(
  "npx @agentdeskai/browser-tools-server"
  "npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"
  "npx your-new-server-command"  # Add your new server here
)

Additionally, security is ensured through proper environment variable settings and command-line options.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the MCP server?

A: Ensure that both scripts are executable (chmod +x *.sh). Validate the commands in the start-mcp-servers.sh file. Check log files for any error messages, and try running the server commands manually to identify potential issues.

Q: Can I integrate multiple data sources or tools into one MCP server?

A: Yes, by adding more servers to the MCP_SERVERS array in start-mcp-servers.sh.

Q: How do I view logs for background processes managed via this script?

A: Use ./manage-mcp-servers.sh logs [server-number].

Q: What happens if a server starts but is not listed by the management command?

A: Ensure that the server name matches exactly between the array in start-mcp-servers.sh and its invocation parameters.

Q: Is there a performance impact when running multiple MCP servers simultaneously?

A: The performance may vary based on system resources. Test your setup to ensure optimal resource allocation.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome! To contribute:

1. Fork this repository.
2. Edit the start-mcp-servers.sh and manage-mcp-servers.sh files as needed.
3. Update the documentation in this document accordingly.
4. Submit a pull request.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For more information on the Model Context Protocol and its applications, visit the official documentation and community forums.

By utilizing these scripts, developers can harness the power of the Model Context Protocol to build robust AI applications that seamlessly interact with diverse data sources and tools.