What's new: the directory MCP, keys, and a calmer sign-in

The directory has answered MCP calls since October. This release makes it worth plugging in: an agent can now search, compare and install servers and skills without leaving the chat.

What the directory MCP does now

• Nine tools. search_servers, get_server, get_install, list_categories, whats_new and compare_servers keep their names and inputs. recommend_servers, search_skills and get_skill are new.
• Results rank by the name you asked for first, then official publishers, health, stars and recency. A search for upwork now opens with Upwork's own server.
• Every result carries a trust block: official, verified, stars, the last health check, how it signs in, and the remote URL when there is one.
• get_install writes the config for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Codex, Gemini CLI and ChatGPT.
• Copies of the same server collapse into one result, broad searches report a capped count instead of every partial match, and long answers page with a cursor.
• whats_new defaults to the last seven days, so asking for this week's new servers just works.

Keys and limits

Without a key the endpoint answers 20 tool calls a day per address, at most 5 a minute. Sign in, open the Directory MCP card on the dashboard, and create a free key for 400 calls a day with every field included, paced at 15 a minute and 60 an hour. Paid plans raise that to 20,000 a day. Keys are shown once and stored only as a hash. Starting a session and listing tools never count.

Elsewhere on the site

• /directory-mcp is the new home for the endpoint: install for each client, the tool list, limits and questions.
• Servers PlugMCP runs carry a By PlugMCP mark in the directory.
• The sign-in and sign-up pages now use the site's own colours and type.
• Directory MCP usage stays on our own infrastructure: one line per call in our server logs and daily counts in our database. Addresses are hashed with a salt that changes every day.