MCP servers are lightweight programs that connect AI models to external tools and data. They use the Model Context Protocol, an open standard from Anthropic. One server can work with any MCP client: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Cline, or your own agent.
Instead of building custom integrations for each AI tool, you install an MCP server once. Every compatible client can then use it. Think of it as USB-C for AI.
We track over 2,500 MCP servers in our directory. These 20 are the ones we actually use and recommend.
In this article
Development
GitHub
View detailsManage repos, issues, PRs, and code search. The most-used MCP server for developers.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-githubGitLab
View detailsFull GitLab API access. Repos, merge requests, pipelines, and project management.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-gitlabLinear
View detailsCreate and manage issues, projects, and cycles. Works well for sprint planning with AI.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-linearSentry
View detailsQuery error events, stack traces, and release health. Debug production issues faster.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sentryDatabases
Supabase
View detailsQuery your Postgres database, manage tables, and run migrations through Supabase.
npx -y @supabase/mcp-server-supabasePostgreSQL
View detailsDirect Postgres connection. Run queries, inspect schemas, and manage data.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgresRedis
View detailsRead and write keys, manage caches, and inspect Redis data structures.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-redisMongoDB
View detailsQuery collections, inspect documents, and manage MongoDB databases.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-mongodbCommunication
Slack
View detailsRead channels, send messages, search conversations, and manage workspaces.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-slackDiscord
View detailsMonitor channels, send messages, and manage Discord servers with AI.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-discordEmail (Gmail)
View detailsRead, search, and draft emails. Works with Gmail via OAuth.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-gmailProductivity
Notion
View detailsSearch pages, read databases, and create content in Notion workspaces.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-notionGoogle Drive
View detailsSearch files, read documents, and manage your Drive from AI tools.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-gdriveObsidian
View detailsRead and search your Obsidian vault. Great for AI-assisted note-taking and research.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-obsidianData and APIs
Puppeteer
View detailsControl a headless browser. Scrape pages, take screenshots, and automate web tasks.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteerFirecrawl
View detailsCrawl websites and extract structured content. Handles JavaScript-rendered pages.
npx -y firecrawl-mcpBrave Search
View detailsWeb search via Brave. Give your AI real-time access to search results.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-searchBusiness
HubSpot
View detailsManage contacts, deals, and marketing campaigns in HubSpot CRM.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-hubspotSalesforce
View detailsQuery objects, manage records, and run reports against your Salesforce org.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-salesforceStripe
View detailsCheck payments, manage subscriptions, and query your Stripe data.
npx -y @stripe/mcpLooking for something specific?
We track over 2,500 MCP servers across every category. Search the full catalog.
Browse all MCP serversHow to configure MCP servers
Most MCP clients use a JSON config file. Claude Desktop reads from claude_desktop_config.json. The file lives at:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json - Linux:
~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Here is an example config with GitHub and Supabase servers:
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_your_token_here"
}
},
"supabase": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@supabase/mcp-server-supabase"],
"env": {
"SUPABASE_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_access_token"
}
},
"brave-search": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"],
"env": {
"BRAVE_API_KEY": "your_brave_api_key"
}
}
}
}Each server entry has three fields:
- command: The executable to run. Usually
npxfor Node servers oruvxfor Python servers. - args: Command-line arguments. The
-yflag auto-confirms the npx install prompt. - env: Environment variables the server needs, like API keys or tokens.
After saving the file, restart Claude Desktop. Your servers will appear in the tools menu.
MCP clients compared
MCP is a protocol, not a product. Multiple AI tools support it. Here is how the main clients compare.
| Client | Best for | Config | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | General use, non-developers | claude_desktop_config.json | GUI app. Prompts for tool approval. |
| Claude Code | Developers, CLI workflows | .claude/settings.json | Terminal-native. Runs in your repo. |
| Cursor | IDE-first coding | .cursor/mcp.json | Built into Cursor settings. VS Code fork. |
| Cline | VS Code users | cline_mcp_settings.json | VS Code extension with MCP support. |
| Windsurf | AI-first IDE users | ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json | Codeium IDE with native MCP. |
All clients use the same MCP servers. You install a server once and point any client at it. The config format varies slightly between clients, but the server commands are identical.
Frequently asked questions
What are MCP servers?
MCP servers are lightweight programs that expose data and actions to AI models through the Model Context Protocol. They run locally or remotely, connecting tools like GitHub, Slack, or Supabase to AI clients such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Claude Code.
How do I install an MCP server for Claude Desktop?
Add the server to your claude_desktop_config.json file. Each server entry specifies a command (usually npx or uvx) and any required arguments or environment variables. Restart Claude Desktop after editing the config.
Can I use MCP servers with Cursor and other AI tools?
Yes. MCP is an open protocol supported by Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Cline, Windsurf, and many custom AI agent frameworks. Any tool that implements the MCP client spec can connect to MCP servers.
Are MCP servers safe to use?
MCP servers run under your control. The client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, etc.) decides which servers to connect to and requires user approval before executing actions. Servers only have access to what you explicitly configure.
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