MCP Server FAQ

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to securely connect to external APIs, tools, and data sources. It provides a standardized way for AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor to interact with external systems and services.

Official MCP servers are verified, vendor-maintained servers that are hosted on the vendor's official domain. These servers are directly supported by the companies that provide them, ensuring reliability, security updates, and comprehensive documentation. Unlike community-maintained servers, official servers provide long-term support and are production-ready.

Installation varies by MCP client. For Cursor, go to Settings → Cursor Settings → Add new global MCP Server, then paste the server configuration. For Claude Desktop, navigate to MCP servers configuration and add the server URL. Each official MCP server page includes detailed, client-specific installation instructions.

Many MCP servers require API keys from the vendor. Check the individual server's documentation page for specific requirements. Most vendors offer free tiers to get started. You'll typically configure the API key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Yes, you can configure the same MCP server across multiple MCP-compatible clients simultaneously. Each client maintains its own configuration, so you can use the same server in Cursor, Claude Desktop, Cline, and other clients without conflicts.

Official MCP servers are provided and maintained by the vendor, hosted on their official domain, and come with vendor support. Unofficial servers are community-maintained, may not have long-term support, and could pose security risks. We only list official servers to ensure reliability and security.

Common issues include incorrect API keys, network connectivity problems, or misconfigured server URLs. Check that your API key is valid, verify the server endpoint URL is correct, ensure your network allows outbound connections, and restart your MCP client. Each server page includes troubleshooting tips specific to that server.

The MCP server itself is typically free, but you may need a vendor account and API access, which may have its own pricing tiers. Many vendors offer free tiers with limited usage. Check each vendor's website for current pricing information.

Popular MCP clients include Cursor, Claude Desktop, Cline (VS Code extension), Windsurf, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and many others. Each official MCP server page includes installation instructions for the most popular clients.

Official MCP servers are hosted on the vendor's official domain (e.g., mcp.github.com, mcp.notion.com). They're listed in our directory with a "Verified Official" badge. Check the server's domain and documentation links to verify it's from the vendor.

Yes! The Model Context Protocol is open source, and you can create custom MCP servers for your own APIs and tools. However, this directory focuses on official, vendor-provided servers. For custom servers, check the MCP documentation.

If an official MCP server goes offline, contact the vendor's support team. Official servers typically have high uptime SLAs. Check the vendor's status page for any ongoing incidents. For troubleshooting, restart your MCP client and verify your configuration.