Explainer
What is an MCP server?
An MCP server is a program that exposes named tools an AI client can list and call. The client, such as Cursor or Claude, sends a request.
Browse MCP serversRead the docs
The server runs the tool and returns structured data. PlugMCP is a directory of those servers, plus an optional host when you want keys and logs.
Client
Cursor, Claude, VS Code
- Cursor
- Claude
- VS Code
- ChatGPT
MCP
tools/list, tools/call- initialize
- tools/list
- tools/call
Waiting for a client0/3
Server
The publisher's process
- scrape_pageWeb scraping
- search_docsDocumentation
- run_queryDatabases
Protocol
How it works
The client starts a session, asks for the tool list, picks one, and sends arguments. The server returns a result the client can show or chain into the next call.
{}request.json
{
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"id": 1,
"method": "initialize",
"params": {
"protocolVersion": "2025-06-18",
"capabilities": {},
"clientInfo": { "name": "cursor" }
}
}
JSONUTF-8client to serverLn 4, Col 26
{}response.json
{
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"id": 1,
"result": {
"protocolVersion": "2025-06-18",
"capabilities": { "tools": {} },
"serverInfo": { "name": "docs-server" }
}
}
JSONUTF-8server to clientLn 9, Col 2
Categories
Examples
Hosting
Who runs the server
The publisher runs it. Credentials stay with that publisher, or in your client if they ask for a key. A listing on PlugMCP is a page about their server. It is not our gateway unless you create a hosted copy.
Hosting on PlugMCP is the wrong choice when you only want to install someone else's server. Use the listing. Host when you need our keys, call logs, and a URL you control.
To find a server, open the MCP server directory. Categories and best-of pages sit next to it.
| Question | Install the listing | Host on PlugMCPOptional |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | The publisher | PlugMCP gateway |
| Install | Publisher URL or command | A URL you control |
| Credentials | Publisher or your client | PlugMCP keys |
| Call logs | No | Yes |
| Account needed | No | Yes |
Questions
FAQ
Short answers. The directory has the rest.
- What is an MCP server?
- It is a small server that lists tools and runs them when an AI client asks. The client does not scrape API docs at request time.
- Where can I find MCP servers?
- PlugMCP is an MCP server directory. Browse plugmcp.ai/mcp. PulseMCP, Glama, mcp.so, and the official MCP Registry also list servers.
- How is PlugMCP different from the server itself?
- PlugMCP lists servers and can host one you create. The install on a listing page is the publisher's URL or command.
- Do I need an account to install a listed server?
- No. You add the publisher's config in your client. An account is only for hosting a server on PlugMCP.
