MCP Reference Servers
by Model Context Protocol
Official reference MCP servers to run and learn from.
Overview
This is the official modelcontextprotocol/servers repository, a collection of reference implementations showing how MCP gives LLMs secure, controlled access to tools and data sources. The servers are intended as educational examples of MCP features and SDK usage rather than production-ready solutions. It includes seven active reference servers: Everything (a comprehensive test server with prompts, resources, and tools), Fetch (web content retrieval and conversion for LLMs), Filesystem (file operations with configurable access controls), Git (repository reading, searching, and manipulation), Memory (a knowledge-graph-based persistent memory system), Sequential Thinking (dynamic, reflective problem-solving), and Time (time and timezone conversion). It also references archived servers and community-built implementations.
At a Glance
- Topic
- MCP
- Level
- Intermediate
- Format
- Documentation
- Cost
- Free
- Provider
- Model Context Protocol
- Hands-on
- Yes — code/exercises
- Certificate
- None
What You’ll Learn
- ✓How canonical MCP servers are structured with the SDKs
- ✓Patterns for exposing tools, resources, and prompts
- ✓Running reference servers like Filesystem, Git, Fetch, and Memory
- ✓Where to find community-built servers
Highlights
- •First-party, spec-aligned example servers
- •Covers diverse capabilities (files, git, memory, fetch, time)
- •Great scaffolding to copy for your own server
Who It’s For
Best For
- ✓Developers learning by reading real server code
- ✓Engineers bootstrapping a new MCP server
Prerequisites
- •Basic Python/TypeScript
- •Familiarity with MCP concepts
FAQ
What is MCP Reference Servers?
The official repository of reference MCP server implementations demonstrating protocol features and SDK usage. For developers who want working, canonical examples to run and study.
Is MCP Reference Servers free?
MCP Reference Servers is free to access.
What level is MCP Reference Servers for?
MCP Reference Servers is aimed at a intermediate audience. Recommended background: Basic Python/TypeScript, Familiarity with MCP concepts.
What will I learn from MCP Reference Servers?
You'll learn: How canonical MCP servers are structured with the SDKs; Patterns for exposing tools, resources, and prompts; Running reference servers like Filesystem, Git, Fetch, and Memory; Where to find community-built servers.