MCP Server Template: Building Reliable and Feature-Rich MCP Servers in TypeScript

Overview: What is MCP Server Template?

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server Template is a robust, fully TypeScript-supported foundation for developing servers that integrate seamlessly with Model Context Protocol clients like Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and more. This template leverages modern development tools and practices to ensure high-quality, maintainable code while providing essential features such as container-based dependency injection, service architecture, automated testing, and compatibility with the latest MCP standards.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The core strengths of the MCP Server Template lie in its comprehensive support for building MCP-compatible servers. Key features include:

• Full TypeScript Support: Ensures type safety and robustness.
• Container-Based Dependency Injection: Simplifies modular architecture and enhances testability.
• Service-Based Architecture with DataProcessor Interface: Facilitates structured code management and easy extension.
• Example Tool Implementation & Tests: Provides a reference for developers to understand the implementation details and best practices.
• Vitest Testing Framework: Offers efficient and reliable testing capabilities, ensuring stable and bug-free execution of tools and handlers.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of an MCP server built from this template revolves around a service-based design that adheres closely to the Model Context Protocol. This involves:

Service-Based Design

The server is structured using services, each handling specific functionalities. For example, DataProcessor serves as the interface for all tool implementations, ensuring consistent behavior and communication.

Dependency Injection

Using dependency injection, tools can be easily swapped out or extended without modifying the core codebase, enhancing flexibility and maintainability.

MCP Protocol Implementation

The MCP protocol implementation ensures seamless communication between the server and any compatible MCP client. This involves:

• Tool Registration: Tools are defined in src/tools/, where custom implementations must mimic the format provided as examples.
• Handler Functions: These process incoming requests, validate data, and return structured results.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

Development Setup

1. Install Dependencies

   npm install
   

2. Start the Development Server:

   npm run dev
   

3. Build the Project:

   npm run build
   

4. Run Tests:

   npm test
   

5. Start the Production Server:

   npm start
   

Custom Tool Creation

1. Export Your Tools and Handlers:

   // In your-tool.ts
   export const YOUR_TOOLS = [
     {
       name: "your-tool-name",
       description: "Your tool description",
       parameters: {
         // Your tool parameters schema
       },
     },
   ];
   
   export const YOUR_HANDLERS = {
     "your-tool-name": async (request) => {
       // Your tool handler implementation
       return {
         toolResult: {
           content: [{ type: "text", text: "Result" }],
         },
       };
     },
   };
   

2. Register Your Tool:

   // In src/index.ts
   import { YOUR_TOOLS, YOUR_HANDLERS } from "./tools/your-tool.js";
   
   const ALL_TOOLS = [...EXAMPLE_TOOLS, ...YOUR_TOOLS];
   const ALL_HANDLERS = { ...EXAMPLE_HANDLERS, ...YOUR_HANDLERS };
   

MCP Server Enhancements

The server automatically:

• Lists Your Tool: Ensures it is available for MCP clients.
• Process Requests: Validates and formats input/output according to the protocol.
• Format Responses: Ensures data are presented in a standardized manner.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Real-Time Data Processing

Imagine an AI application that needs real-time feedback from various data sources. By integrating with this MCP server, the application can seamlessly query tools like weather forecasts or financial analytics directly within its workflow.

Continuous Model Training Update

For machine learning models needing fresh data periodically, using this server can provide a robust mechanism for continuous update, ensuring that training datasets are always up-to-date and accurate.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The template includes integration support for popular MCP clients like Claude Desktop. The compatibility matrix below highlights current client support:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅
Continue	✅	✅	✅
Cursor	❌	✅	❌

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

This section outlines the performance and compatibility matrix of the template, ensuring it aligns with various development needs:

• Performance: Optimized for high throughput and low latency.
• Compatibility: Widely compatible across different environment setups.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Advanced configuration options are available to tailor the server’s behavior. Key aspects include:

MCP Protocol Flow 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

MCP Configuration Sample

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "[server-name]": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/your-server"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I integrate my custom tool with the MCP server?

Integrating your custom tool involves defining it within src/tools/ and ensuring its handlers are exported correctly. Refer to the example in example.ts.

What tools come pre-built, and how can I add more?

The template includes basic examples but allows for easy extension by adding new tools through similar patterns.

How does the server handle complex data structures?

The MCP protocol standardizes data formats, ensuring consistent handling of complex data types across all clients.

Can this server be used with multiple MCP clients simultaneously?

Yes, it can. Ensure you configure multiple servers within your main application.

What are best practices for handling errors in handlers?

Always return structured error responses to maintain consistency and allow better debugging.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome! To get started:

1. Fork the Repository:

   • Visit [GitHub Repository] and fork it.

2. Clone Your Fork:

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/mcp-server-template.git
   

3. Install Dependencies:

   npm install
   

4. Make Changes & Test:

   • Navigate to the local repository and make your changes.
   • Run npm run test to check for errors.

5. Commit and Push:

   git commit -am 'Added a new tool'
   git push origin main
   

6. Create an Issue or Pull Request:

   • Create an issue if you need help.
   • Add your feature or fix to the repository by creating a pull request.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

Explore the broader MCP ecosystem and resources:

• MCP Documentation: Learn more about Model Context Protocol from the official documentation.
• Community Forum: Engage with other developers in the community forum for support and best practices.
• GitHub Repository: Contribute to or explore additional examples of MCP integrations.

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By leveraging the MCP Server Template, you can build powerful and flexible AI applications that seamlessly integrate into various workflows and environments.