Model Context Protocol (MCP) Tutorial

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standardized protocol that enables seamless communication between development environments (like Cursor) and AI models. It provides a structured way to share context and integrate AI capabilities into various tools and platforms.

Quick Start Guide

Prerequisites

• Cursor IDE
• Node.js and npm
• Git

Setting up MCP with Smithery

1. Install Smithery

npm install -g @cursor-ai/smithery

2. Create & Initialize MCP Server

mkdir my-mcp-server
cd my-mcp-server
smithery init

3. Configure Server

Edit smithery.config.js:

module.exports = {
  name: "my-mcp-server",
  version: "1.0.0",
  tools: [
    // Your tools configuration
  ]
};

4. Start Server

smithery start

Connecting to Cursor

1. Open Cursor IDE

2. Access Settings

3. Find "MCP Servers" section

4. Add new server:

• Name: Your server name
• URL: http://localhost:3000
• Add any required authentication

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Red Server Status

• Verify server is running
• Check URL and port
• Validate authentication

2. No Tools Available

• Review tool configuration
• Restart MCP server
• Update Cursor

3. Connection Issues

• Check network connectivity
• Verify firewall settings
• Confirm port availability

Resources

• Cursor Documentation
• Smithery GitHub
• MCP Specification

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Feel free to:

• Report issues
• Submit pull requests
• Share your experiences

License

MIT License

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*Last updated: April 2024*