# Frequently Asked Questions

**Common questions and answers about the MCP Template Platform.**

## General Questions

### What is the MCP Template Platform?

The MCP Template Platform is a comprehensive system for deploying and managing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. It provides pre-built templates for common integrations, a CLI tool for easy deployment, and tools for creating custom MCP servers.

**Key Benefits:**
- 🚀 **One-command deployment** of MCP servers
- 📦 **Pre-built templates** for popular services
- 🔧 **Template creation tools** for custom integrations
- 🐳 **Docker-based** for consistent deployments
- 🔍 **Automatic tool discovery** using MCP protocol

### How does it relate to the Model Context Protocol?

The platform implements the official [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) specification. It provides:

- **MCP Server Templates**: Pre-configured servers that expose tools via MCP
- **Protocol Implementation**: Full MCP 2025-06-18 specification support
- **Tool Discovery**: Automatic detection of available MCP tools
- **Client Integration**: Ready-to-use configurations for LLM clients

### Is this officially associated with Anthropic?

No, this is an independent open-source project that implements the MCP specification. While it follows the official MCP protocol, it's not developed or endorsed by Anthropic.

## Getting Started

### What are the system requirements?

**Minimum Requirements:**
- Python 3.8+
- Docker 20.10+
- 2GB RAM
- 10GB disk space

**Recommended:**
- Python 3.11+
- Docker 24.0+
- 4GB RAM
- 20GB disk space

**Operating System Support:**
- ✅ Linux (all distributions)
- ✅ macOS 10.15+
- ✅ Windows 10+ (with WSL2)

### How do I install the platform?

```bash
# Install from PyPI
pip install mcp-templates

# Verify installation
mcpt --version

# Test with demo template
mcpt deploy demo
```

See the [Installation Guide](getting-started/installation.md) for detailed instructions.

### What templates are available?

**Popular Templates:**
- **filesystem**: Secure filesystem access
- **demo**: Basic demonstration server
- **github**: GitHub API integration
- **database**: SQL database connectivity

**Full List:**
```bash
mcpt list
```

View detailed information in the [Template Library](server-templates/index.md).

## Template Usage

### How do I deploy a template?

```bash
# Basic deployment
mcpt deploy template-name

# With configuration
mcpt deploy filesystem --config base_path=/home/user/documents

# With config file
mcpt deploy database --config-file db-config.json
```

### How do I configure templates?

**Three ways to configure templates:**

1. **Command-line options:**
   ```bash
   mcpt deploy template --config key=value
   ```

2. **Configuration file:**
   ```bash
   mcpt deploy template --config-file config.json
   ```

3. **Environment variables:**
   ```bash
   export MCP_API_KEY="your-key"
   mcpt deploy template
   ```

**Configuration precedence:** Environment Variables > CLI Options > Config File > Template Defaults

### How do I connect templates to AI assistants?

**Claude Desktop:**
```bash
# Generate configuration
mcpt connect template-name --llm claude

# Add to Claude Desktop config
# (~/.config/claude-desktop/claude_desktop_config.json)
```

**VS Code:**
```bash
# Generate VS Code configuration
mcpt connect template-name --llm vscode
```

**Custom Integration:**
```bash
# Get JSON configuration
mcpt i
mcpt> tools template-name --format json
```

### How do I see what tools are available?

```bash
# List tools in a template
mcpt> tools template-name

# Discover tools from any MCP server
mcpt> tools --image custom/mcp-server

# Get detailed tool information
mcpt> tools template-name --detailed
```

## Template Development

### How do I create a custom template?

**Interactive Creation:**
```bash
mcpt create my-custom-template
# Follow the prompts for configuration
```

**From Existing Image:**
```bash
mcpt create --from-image existing/mcp-server my-template
```

**Manual Creation:**
See the [Template Creation Guide](guides/creating-templates.md) for detailed instructions.

### What files does a template need?

**Required Files:**
```
templates/my-template/
├── template.json      # Template metadata and configuration schema
├── Dockerfile         # Container build instructions
└── README.md          # Documentation (recommended)
```

**Recommended Structure:**
```
templates/my-template/
├── template.json      # Template configuration
├── Dockerfile         # Container definition
├── README.md          # Template documentation
├── src/              # Source code
│   ├── server.py     # MCP server implementation
│   └── tools.py      # Tool implementations
├── config/           # Configuration examples
├── tests/            # Test suite
└── docs/             # Additional documentation
```

### How do I test my template?

```bash
# Validate template structure
mcpt validate my-template

# Deploy for testing
mcpt deploy my-template

# Test tool discovery
mcpt> tools my-template

# Run template tests
cd templates/my-template
python -m pytest tests/
```

### Can I use languages other than Python?

Yes! Templates can use any language that supports the MCP protocol:

**Supported Languages:**
- ✅ **Python** (FastMCP, mcp-python)
- ✅ **TypeScript/JavaScript** (@modelcontextprotocol/sdk)
- ✅ **Go** (community implementations)
- ✅ **Rust** (community implementations)

The key requirements:
1. Implement MCP JSON-RPC over stdio
2. Support MCP protocol 2025-06-18
3. Containerized with Docker

## Deployment & Operations

### How do I manage multiple deployments?

```bash
# List all deployments
mcpt list

# Check deployment status
mcpt status

# View specific deployment
mcpt status deployment-name

# Stop deployment
mcpt stop deployment-name

# Remove deployment
mcpt delete deployment-name
```

### How do I monitor deployments?

```bash
# View logs
mcpt logs deployment-name

# Follow logs in real-time
mcpt logs deployment-name --follow

# Monitor status continuously
mcpt status --watch

# Health check only
mcpt status --health-only
```

### How do I update deployments?

```bash
# Update to latest image
mcpt deploy template-name --force-pull

# Force recreate container
mcpt deploy template-name --force-recreate

# Update with new configuration
mcpt deploy template-name --config new_setting=value
```

### Where are deployment data and logs stored?

**Default Locations:**
- **Data**: `~/mcp-data/` (mapped to `/data` in container)
- **Logs**: `~/.mcp/logs/` (mapped to `/logs` in container)
- **Config**: `~/.mcp/config/`

**Custom Locations:**
```bash
# Use custom data directory
mcpt deploy template --volume /custom/path:/data

# Multiple volumes
mcpt deploy template \
  --volume /data1:/app/data1 \
  --volume /data2:/app/data2
```

## Troubleshooting

### My deployment failed to start. What should I check?

1. **Check logs:**
   ```bash
   mcpt logs deployment-name
   ```

2. **Verify Docker:**
   ```bash
   docker --version
   docker info
   ```

3. **Check configuration:**
   ```bash
   mcpt config template-name
   ```

4. **Test image directly:**
   ```bash
   docker run -it template-image:latest /bin/bash
   ```

See the [Troubleshooting Guide](guides/troubleshooting.md) for comprehensive solutions.

### Tools aren't being discovered. Why?

**Common Causes:**
1. **MCP server not responding**: Check container logs
2. **Wrong transport protocol**: Try `--transport stdio` or `--transport http`
3. **Container startup issues**: Verify container is running
4. **Configuration errors**: Check environment variables

**Debugging Steps:**
```bash
# Test tool discovery directly
mcpt> tools --image template:latest

# Check MCP protocol response
mcpt connect deployment --test-connection

# Monitor container startup
mcpt logs deployment --follow
```

### How do I get help with specific issues?

1. **Check Documentation:**
   - [CLI Reference](cli/index.md)
   - [Troubleshooting Guide](guides/troubleshooting.md)
   - [Template Creation Guide](guides/creating-templates.md)

2. **Community Support:**
   - GitHub Issues: Report bugs and feature requests
   - GitHub Discussions: Ask questions and share solutions
   - Discord Community: [Join our Discord server](https://discord.gg/55Cfxe9gnr) for real-time community chat

3. **Professional Support:**
   - Enterprise support available
   - Custom template development services
   - Contact: support@dataeverything.ai

## Performance & Scaling

### How many deployments can I run?

**Typical Limits:**
- **Development**: 5-10 deployments per machine
- **Production**: 50+ deployments with proper resource management

**Resource Planning:**
- Each deployment: ~100-500MB RAM
- CPU usage: Minimal when idle
- Disk: Depends on data volumes

### How do I optimize performance?

**Template Level:**
```bash
# Set resource limits
mcpt deploy template --memory 512m --cpu 0.5

# Use efficient base images
# In Dockerfile: FROM python:3.11-slim instead of python:3.11
```

**System Level:**
```bash
# Clean up unused resources
docker system prune -f

# Monitor resource usage
docker stats

# Use Docker BuildKit for faster builds
export DOCKER_BUILDKIT=1
```

### Can I run this in production?

Yes! The platform supports production deployments:

**Production Features:**
- **Health Monitoring**: Built-in health checks and status monitoring
- **Logging**: Comprehensive logging with rotation
- **Resource Management**: Memory and CPU limits
- **Security**: Container isolation and network security
- **Backup**: Configuration and data backup support

**Production Recommendations:**
- Use Docker Compose or Kubernetes for orchestration
- Set up monitoring and alerting
- Implement backup strategies
- Use resource limits
- Regular security updates

## Security

### Is it safe to run MCP servers?

The platform follows security best practices:

**Security Features:**
- **Container Isolation**: Each deployment runs in isolated Docker containers
- **No Root Access**: Containers run as non-root users
- **Network Isolation**: Minimal network exposure
- **Resource Limits**: Prevents resource exhaustion
- **Secret Management**: Environment variable-based configuration

**Security Best Practices:**
- Keep images updated
- Use minimal base images
- Limit network access
- Regular security audits
- Secure secret storage

### How do I handle sensitive configuration?

**Environment Variables:**
```bash
# Use environment variables for secrets
export MCP_API_KEY="secret-key"
mcpt deploy template
```

**Config Files with Restricted Permissions:**
```bash
# Create secure config file
echo '{"api_key": "secret"}' > config.json
chmod 600 config.json
mcpt deploy template --config-file config.json
```

**External Secret Management:**
```bash
# Use external secret managers
export MCP_API_KEY=$(vault kv get -field=key secret/mcp/api)
mcpt deploy template
```

## Integration & Compatibility

### What AI assistants work with this?

**Officially Supported:**
- ✅ **Claude Desktop** (Anthropic)
- ✅ **VS Code** (with MCP extensions)
- ✅ **Continue.dev**
- ✅ **Custom Python applications**

**Community Supported:**
- ⚠️ **Other LLM clients** (varies by MCP support)

### Can I integrate with existing systems?

Yes! The platform provides multiple integration options:

**API Integration:**
```python
from mcp_template import TemplateManager

manager = TemplateManager()
deployment = manager.deploy("template-name", config={"key": "value"})
tools = manager.discover_tools(deployment)
```

**CLI Integration:**
```bash
# Scriptable CLI interface
mcpt deploy template --format json
```

**Docker Integration:**
```bash
# Direct Docker usage
docker run -d --name mcp-server template:latest
```

### Does it work with Kubernetes?

While primarily designed for Docker, you can adapt for Kubernetes:

**Manual Kubernetes Deployment:**
```yaml
apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: mcp-template
spec:
  replicas: 1
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: mcp-template
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: mcp-template
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: mcp-server
        image: template:latest
        env:
        - name: MCP_CONFIG
          value: "production"
```

**Future Support:**
Kubernetes backend support is planned for future releases.

## Contributing

### How can I contribute to the project?

**Ways to Contribute:**
1. **Report Issues**: Bug reports and feature requests
2. **Create Templates**: Share useful MCP server templates
3. **Improve Documentation**: Fix errors, add examples
4. **Code Contributions**: Platform improvements and new features
5. **Community Support**: Help other users in discussions

**Getting Started:**
1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests
5. Submit a pull request

See the [Contributing Guide](guides/contributing.md) for detailed guidelines.

### What templates are most needed?

**High Priority:**
- **Popular APIs**: Stripe, Twilio, SendGrid
- **Database Connectors**: MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch
- **Cloud Services**: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure
- **Development Tools**: Jira, Linear, Notion

**Template Ideas:**
- Custom business integrations
- Industry-specific tools
- Regional service providers
- Niche technical tools

### How do I submit a new template?

1. **Create the template:**
   ```bash
   mcpt create my-new-template
   ```

2. **Test thoroughly:**
   ```bash
   mcpt deploy my-new-template
   mcpt i
   mcpt> tools my-new-template
   ```

3. **Add documentation:**
   - Complete README.md
   - Usage examples
   - Configuration guide

4. **Submit pull request:**
   - Include template in `templates/` directory
   - Add tests
   - Update template registry

## Commercial Usage

### Can I use this commercially?

Yes! The MCP Template Platform is open source under the MIT License, which allows commercial use.

**Commercial Usage Rights:**
- ✅ Use in commercial products
- ✅ Modify and distribute
- ✅ Private use
- ✅ Commercial distribution

**Requirements:**
- Include license notice
- No warranty provided

### Do you offer commercial support?

Yes, commercial support is available:

**Enterprise Support:**
- Priority bug fixes
- Custom template development
- Training and consulting
- SLA guarantees

**Professional Services:**
- Custom integration development
- Architecture consulting
- Team training
- Production deployment assistance

**Contact:** enterprise@dataeverything.ai

### Can I create paid templates?

While the core platform is open source, you can:

- Create proprietary templates for internal use
- Offer template development services
- Build commercial products using the platform
- Provide support and consulting services

The template ecosystem encourages both open source and commercial contributions.

---

**Still have questions?**

- 📖 Check the [full documentation](index.md)
- 💬 Join our [community discussions](https://github.com/data-everything/mcp-server-templates/discussions)
- 🐛 [Report issues](https://github.com/data-everything/mcp-server-templates/issues)
- 📧 Contact us: support@dataeverything.ai
