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Build an MCP server by choosing the capability you want to expose, registering it as a tool, resource, or prompt, and connecting the server with the transport that matches your host. For a local development workflow, the current TypeScript SDK v2 uses Node.js 20 or later, an ES-module project, a declared input schema, and stdio. Remote deployments should use the current Streamable HTTP guidance for the selected SDK rather than copying an older SSE example.
Decide what your web application should expose
Model Context Protocol (MCP) gives a host a standard way to discover and use application capabilities. Start at the application boundary, not with the protocol. Pick one narrow operation that is useful and safe to invoke.
Tools for actions
Use a tool when the model should ask your server to do something: create a support ticket, query a project system, render a page, or run a deployment check. A tool has a name, description, input schema, and handler. The host can validate arguments before the handler runs.
Resources for data
Use a resource when the client should read data identified by a URI, such as a generated report, configuration document, or project file. Resources are read-oriented; they are not a replacement for an action that changes state.
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Prompts for reusable instructions
Use a prompt for a reusable prompt template that a client can present or insert into a conversation. It is appropriate for repeatable workflows, not for performing the underlying business operation.
A small first server with one well-scoped tool is easier to inspect and secure. Add resources or prompts only when their behavior is genuinely different from a tool.
Choose an SDK and keep its version line consistent
| Choice | Requirement and fit | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| TypeScript SDK v2 | Node.js 20 or later; TypeScript project configured as an ES module. | Use the v2 server package and its v2 API examples together. |
| Python SDK v2 | Python 3.10 or later. | Use the Python v2 package and FastMCP examples; do not copy TypeScript APIs. |
| TypeScript v1 material | Older documentation and package line. | Useful for transport concepts, but verify every API against the v2 guide before using it. |
The current TypeScript v2 server package implements the 2026-07-28 MCP specification and replaces the older monolithic @modelcontextprotocol/sdk package. Package names, imports, and helper functions can therefore differ in older tutorials. Python likewise maintains separate v2 and v1 documentation.
Build a local TypeScript server over stdio
The following minimal project exposes a state-changing-looking operation without depending on an external service. Replace the handler body with your application call and preserve the schema and error behavior.
1. Create the project
mkdir web-mcp-server
cd web-mcp-server
npm init -y
npm install @modelcontextprotocol/server zod
npm install --save-dev typescript tsx
Configure the project as an ES module and add a development command:
{
"type": "module",
"scripts": { "dev": "tsx src/server.ts" }
}
Save that JSON in package.json. Create src/server.ts:
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import { McpServer } from "@modelcontextprotocol/server";
import { serveStdio } from "@modelcontextprotocol/server/stdio";
import { z } from "zod";
const server = new McpServer({
name: "web-development-server",
version: "1.0.0"
});
server.registerTool(
"create_preview_request",
{
description: "Create a preview request for a web page and return its tracking data.",
inputSchema: {
url: z.string().url().describe("The page URL to preview"),
viewport: z.enum(["desktop", "mobile"]).default("desktop")
}
},
async ({ url, viewport }) => {
const request = {
id: crypto.randomUUID(),
url,
viewport,
status: "queued"
};
return {
content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(request) }]
};
}
);
await serveStdio(server);
The exact import paths and registration helper belong to the v2 package you install; if the package’s current guide shows a server factory passed to serveStdio, follow that form rather than mixing it with a v1 example. The important protocol decisions are the declared name, description, schema, handler, and stdio transport.
2. Why the schema matters
The url field is validated before the handler executes, and viewport is constrained to known values. Rejecting malformed input at the protocol boundary prevents application code from receiving surprising values. Describe side effects honestly: if a tool creates a deployment, sends mail, deletes data, or incurs a charge, say so in its description and require the arguments needed for confirmation.
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With stdio, JSON-RPC messages use standard input and standard output. Never call console.log for diagnostics; its bytes can corrupt the protocol stream. Send diagnostics to standard error instead:
console.error("preview request received", request.id);
Stdio is intended for a host that launches your server as a local child process. The process lifetime is controlled by that host, so do not assume a long-running public HTTP service.
Implement the same boundary with Python
The official Python v2 SDK requires Python 3.10 or later and documents FastMCP for tools, resources, and prompts. Install the development extra:
python -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
pip install "mcp[cli]"
A small FastMCP server can expose the same operation:
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from mcp.server.fastmcp import FastMCP
from pydantic import AnyUrl
from uuid import uuid4
mcp = FastMCP("web-development-server")
@mcp.tool()
def create_preview_request(url: AnyUrl, viewport: str = "desktop") -> dict:
"""Queue a preview request for a web page."""
if viewport not in {"desktop", "mobile"}:
raise ValueError("viewport must be desktop or mobile")
return {
"id": str(uuid4()),
"url": str(url),
"viewport": viewport,
"status": "queued",
}
if __name__ == "__main__":
mcp.run()
Python’s SDK documents stdio, Streamable HTTP, and SSE. Use its versioned examples as a set; do not assume a Python decorator or transport option has a TypeScript equivalent.
Select the transport from the deployment shape
Stdio for a locally spawned process
Choose stdio when Claude, an IDE, or another MCP host starts your server locally. It uses stdin and stdout for JSON-RPC and naturally keeps credentials and application access on the developer’s machine. The main operational rule is to keep stdout exclusively for protocol traffic.
Streamable HTTP for a remote server
For a remotely hosted endpoint, the TypeScript server guidance recommends Streamable HTTP. It supports a network client connecting to a running service instead of spawning a process. Configure authentication, authorization, request limits, logging, and TLS in the framework and deployment you select.
HTTP+SSE compatibility
HTTP+SSE remains available for backwards compatibility in the older TypeScript transport documentation. Because that detailed page describes the v1 line, use the current v2 or framework guide for exact constructors, routes, and session handling. Do not copy a v1 transport snippet into a v2 project without checking its package API.
Inspect and test the server locally
Interactive inspection with MCP Inspector
The TypeScript getting-started workflow launches MCP Inspector with the same command your host will use. Start your server command, connect Inspector’s browser interface, list the available tools, enter valid and invalid arguments, and invoke the tool. Confirm that the schema rejects bad input and that logs appear in the terminal rather than the protocol pane.
Keep the command reproducible, for example npx tsx src/server.ts. If the Inspector cannot connect, first run that command directly and check for syntax errors or output accidentally written to stdout.
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Python’s development workflow
Python documentation describes an mcp dev workflow for launching an interactive development client. It also documents an in-memory Client that calls a tool without a subprocess or listening port. Use in-memory tests for fast checks of schemas, return values, and failure paths; use Inspector for human exploration of discovery and invocation.
Production boundaries and reliability
Keep handlers narrow
One tool should represent one understandable application operation. Validate identifiers, URLs, enum values, and authorization context before invoking downstream code. Return structured content that a host can display, and return actionable errors rather than stack traces or secrets.
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Browser automation, databases, and third-party APIs can outlive a model request. Set bounded timeouts in the application layer, make mutating operations idempotent where possible, and include a request identifier in logs. Do not claim an action succeeded until the downstream system confirms it.
Review network exposure
The TypeScript v1 server documentation warns that localhost MCP servers can be exposed to DNS-rebinding attacks and describes host-header validation for its Express helper. Treat that as one documented concern, not a complete security checklist. For a remote deployment, separately review authentication, authorization, origin and host validation, secret storage, rate limits, audit logs, and the network placement of your chosen SDK and framework.
Control cost and latency
Stdio avoids hosting an always-on endpoint but requires every user or host to install the runtime and dependencies. Streamable HTTP centralizes deployment and updates, while adding network latency and operational cost. Measure downstream calls, cache read-only data where appropriate, and avoid exposing an expensive operation as an unconstrained tool.
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Python:
import requests
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open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)
Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
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See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the 63 capture options, including full-page lazy-image loading, CSS-selector element capture, device and retina settings, PDF output, custom CSS and JavaScript, clicks, waits, blocking rules, headers, cookies, geolocation, caching, signed links, asynchronous webhooks, bulk capture, and usage reporting. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account.
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Troubleshoot common failures
“Invalid package” or missing import
Cause: a v1 tutorial was copied into a v2 project, or the package name is wrong. Check the installed package’s v2 documentation, confirm the ES-module setting, and align every import and helper with one SDK line.
Inspector shows no tools
Cause: the process exited, the command points at the wrong file, or startup text was written to stdout. Run the command directly, move logs to stderr, and verify that registration occurs before the transport starts.
Arguments are rejected
Cause: the caller does not match the declared schema. Inspect required fields, enum values, URL formats, and default handling. Improve the tool description instead of weakening validation simply to accept malformed calls.
Remote calls hang
Cause: a downstream operation has no timeout, the HTTP route is incorrect, or a proxy is buffering the stream. Add bounded application timeouts, verify the current Streamable HTTP deployment instructions, and inspect server and proxy logs without exposing credentials.
Works manually but fails in a host
Cause: environment variables, working directories, permissions, or runtime versions differ. Record the exact launch command, use absolute paths where needed, and confirm Node.js 20+ or Python 3.10+ in the host environment.
Final implementation checklist
- Choose a tool, resource, or prompt based on the behavior the host needs.
- Use one current SDK version line and verify package names before coding.
- Declare a precise input schema and an honest description for every tool.
- Use stdio for locally spawned servers and keep stdout protocol-only.
- Use current Streamable HTTP guidance for remote deployments; treat SSE examples as compatibility material.
- Exercise discovery, valid calls, invalid calls, and failure paths with Inspector or an in-memory client.
- Review authorization, network exposure, timeouts, idempotency, and secret handling before production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an MCP server expose both tools and resources?
Yes. A server can register multiple MCP primitives; choose each one according to whether the host invokes an action, reads URI-addressed data, or uses a reusable prompt.
Is stdio suitable for a public SaaS endpoint?
No. Stdio is designed for a host that launches a local child process. A remotely hosted service should follow the current Streamable HTTP deployment guidance.
Should I start with TypeScript or Python?
Use the language already used by your application team. The documented prerequisites are Node.js 20 or later for the TypeScript v2 guide and Python 3.10 or later for the Python v2 SDK.
Quick Recap
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