What is an MCP server?
An MCP server is a small program that exposes tools, data and actions to an AI agent over the Model Context Protocol, so the agent can do things like query a database, browse the web or open a pull request.
An AI model on its own can only produce text. An MCP server is the bridge that lets it actually do something: it advertises a set of tools (functions with typed inputs and outputs) that a compatible client like Claude Code or Cursor can call on the model's behalf. Ask the agent to "check the failing test and open a PR" and, with the right servers connected, it can read the repo, run the tests and push a branch.
Each server usually wraps one system: a GitHub server exposes repos, issues and pull requests; a Postgres server exposes queries and schema; a browser server exposes navigation and clicks. Because they all speak the same protocol, you can mix and match them, and any MCP-aware client can use any server without custom glue code.
Most servers run locally over stdio or as a small HTTP service, and install with a single command. Connect the ones your workflow needs and the agent gains those capabilities for the session.
Popular mcp servers
All MCP Servers →Type
- fastmcp🚀 The fast, Pythonic way to build MCP servers and clients.MCP ServersJul 2026
- playwright-mcpPlaywright MCP serverMCP ServersJul 2026
- playwright-mcpPlaywright MCP fork that works with Cloudflare Browser RenderingMCP ServersApr 2026
- Playwright MCPBrowser automation for agents via accessibility snapshotsMCP Servers6 days ago
- fastapi_mcpExpose your FastAPI endpoints as Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools, with Auth!MCP ServersNov 2025
- chrome-devtools-mcpChrome DevTools for coding agentsMCP ServersJul 2026
FAQ
How do I install an MCP server?
Most publish an npm or PyPI package and start with one command; the client connects to it over stdio or HTTP. Each tool page here shows the exact install command.
What can an MCP server do?
Anything its author wraps, query databases, control a browser, call an API, read files, manage GitHub. The agent calls the server's tools as needed.
Which clients support MCP?
Claude Code, Cursor, and a growing list of agent tools. Because MCP is an open protocol, one server works across all of them.