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Mjeffallan on GitHub

MCP Developer

Free

Build and debug MCP servers and clients efficiently.

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Free · Opens the source repo

What MCP Developer does

The MCP Developer skill is designed for developers working with the Model Context Protocol (MCP), facilitating the creation, debugging, and enhancement of servers and clients that connect AI systems to external tools and data sources. This skill streamlines the workflow from project initialization to deployment, ensuring that developers can focus on building robust applications without getting bogged down by repetitive tasks.

With a clear workflow, the skill guides users through analyzing requirements, initializing projects using TypeScript or Python, designing protocols, implementing tool handlers, and testing for compliance. The integration of schema validation using Zod or Pydantic ensures that inputs are properly validated, reducing the likelihood of runtime errors. Moreover, the skill provides detailed reference guides for both TypeScript and Python SDKs, making it easier for developers to find the information they need at each step of the process.

The skill is particularly beneficial for developers looking to implement JSON-RPC 2.0 protocols correctly, as it emphasizes the importance of comprehensive error handling and security measures such as authentication and rate limiting. By following the outlined constraints and best practices, developers can ensure that their applications are not only functional but also secure and maintainable.

Overall, the MCP Developer skill is an essential tool for any developer or designer involved in building AI-integrated applications, providing a structured approach to developing compliant and efficient MCP solutions.

When to use it

Use this skill when developing applications that require integration with AI systems and external data sources using the MCP framework.

When not to use it

This skill may not be suitable for projects that do not require MCP or for developers unfamiliar with JSON-RPC 2.0 and schema validation.

What you can build with it

Creating a New MCP Server

Quickly scaffold a new MCP server using the provided commands and templates, streamlining the initial setup process.

Validating Tool Inputs

Utilize Zod or Pydantic to ensure all tool inputs are validated, reducing errors and improving reliability.

Testing Protocol Compliance

Run the MCP inspector to interactively verify that your server meets protocol compliance and handles errors correctly.

How to install MCP Developer

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add jeffallan/claude-skills/mcp-developer --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by jeffallan

MCP Developer

Senior MCP (Model Context Protocol) developer with deep expertise in building servers and clients that connect AI systems with external tools and data sources.

Core Workflow

  1. Analyze requirements — Identify data sources, tools needed, and client apps
  2. Initialize projectnpx @modelcontextprotocol/create-server my-server (TypeScript) or pip install mcp + scaffold (Python)
  3. Design protocol — Define resource URIs, tool schemas (Zod/Pydantic), and prompt templates
  4. Implement — Register tools and resource handlers; configure transport (stdio/SSE/HTTP)
  5. Test — Run npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector to verify protocol compliance interactively; confirm tools appear, schemas accept valid inputs, and error responses are well-formed JSON-RPC 2.0. Feedback loop: if schema validation fails → inspect Zod/Pydantic error output → fix schema definition → re-run inspector. If a tool call returns a malformed response → check transport serialisation → fix handler → re-test.
  6. Deploy — Package, add auth/rate-limiting, configure env vars, monitor

Reference Guide

Load detailed guidance based on context:

TopicReferenceLoad When
Protocolreferences/protocol.mdMessage types, lifecycle, JSON-RPC 2.0
TypeScript SDKreferences/typescript-sdk.mdBuilding servers/clients in Node.js
Python SDKreferences/python-sdk.mdBuilding servers/clients in Python
Toolsreferences/tools.mdTool definitions, schemas, execution
Resourcesreferences/resources.mdResource providers, URIs, templates

Minimal Working Example

TypeScript — Tool with Zod Validation

import { McpServer } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/mcp.js";
import { StdioServerTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/stdio.js";
import { z } from "zod";

const server = new McpServer({ name: "my-server", version: "1.1.0" });

// Register a tool with validated input schema
server.tool(
  "get_weather",
  "Fetch current weather for a location",
  {
    location: z.string().min(1).describe("City name or coordinates"),
    units: z.enum(["celsius", "fahrenheit"]).default("celsius"),
  },
  async ({ location, units }) => {
    // Implementation: call external API, transform response
    const data = await fetchWeather(location, units); // your fetch logic
    return {
      content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(data) }],
    };
  }
);

// Register a resource provider
server.resource(
  "config://app",
  "Application configuration",
  async (uri) => ({
    contents: [{ uri: uri.href, text: JSON.stringify(getConfig()), mimeType: "application/json" }],
  })
);

const transport = new StdioServerTransport();
await server.connect(transport);

Python — Tool with Pydantic Validation

from mcp.server.fastmcp import FastMCP
from pydantic import BaseModel, Field

mcp = FastMCP("my-server")

class WeatherInput(BaseModel):
    location: str = Field(..., min_length=1, description="City name or coordinates")
    units: str = Field("celsius", pattern="^(celsius|fahrenheit)$")

@mcp.tool()
async def get_weather(location: str, units: str = "celsius") -> str:
    """Fetch current weather for a location."""
    data = await fetch_weather(location, units)  # your fetch logic
    return str(data)

@mcp.resource("config://app")
async def app_config() -> str:
    """Expose application configuration as a resource."""
    return json.dumps(get_config())

if __name__ == "__main__":
    mcp.run()  # defaults to stdio transport

Expected tool call flow:

Client → { "method": "tools/call", "params": { "name": "get_weather", "arguments": { "location": "Berlin" } } }
Server → { "result": { "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "{\"temp\": 18, \"units\": \"celsius\"}" }] } }

Constraints

MUST DO

  • Implement JSON-RPC 2.0 protocol correctly
  • Validate all inputs with schemas (Zod/Pydantic)
  • Use proper transport mechanisms (stdio/HTTP/SSE)
  • Implement comprehensive error handling
  • Add authentication and authorization
  • Log protocol messages for debugging
  • Test protocol compliance thoroughly
  • Document server capabilities

MUST NOT DO

  • Skip input validation on tool inputs
  • Expose sensitive data in resource content
  • Ignore protocol version compatibility
  • Mix synchronous code with async transports
  • Hardcode credentials or secrets
  • Return unstructured errors to clients
  • Deploy without rate limiting
  • Skip security controls

Output Templates

When implementing MCP features, provide:

  1. Server/client implementation file
  2. Schema definitions (tools, resources, prompts)
  3. Configuration file (transport, auth, etc.)
  4. Brief explanation of design decisions

Documentation

Frequently asked questions about MCP Developer

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