Best MCP Servers
MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers extend Claude by giving it real-time access to external tools, APIs, and data sources. Instead of copy-pasting information into your prompt, an MCP server lets Claude directly query databases, browse the web, manage files, and interact with third-party services — all within a secure, standardized protocol developed by Anthropic.
What Can MCP Servers Do?
Database Access
Query PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and other databases directly from Claude.
Web Browsing
Let Claude navigate websites, scrape data, and interact with web applications.
File Systems
Read, write, and manage files on your local machine or remote servers.
API Integration
Connect Claude to Slack, GitHub, Jira, and hundreds of other services.
Top MCP Servers by Stars
View all MCP servers →Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MCP server?
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server is a lightweight process that exposes tools and data to Claude through a standardized protocol. When connected, Claude can call functions on the server — like querying a database, reading files, or making API calls — just as if those capabilities were built in.
How do I connect an MCP server to Claude?
Add the server to your claude_desktop_config.json or .claude/settings.json file with its command and arguments. Claude Code will automatically start the server and discover its available tools. Use our Config Generator at skiln.co/generator to build configurations without editing JSON by hand.
Are MCP servers safe to use?
MCP servers run locally on your machine and communicate with Claude through a standard protocol. You control which servers are connected and what permissions they have. Always review a server's source code and only install servers from trusted authors. The best MCP servers listed here are open source with strong community review.
What's the difference between MCP servers and Claude Skills?
MCP servers give Claude access to external tools and live data (databases, APIs, file systems). Claude Skills are static instruction files that shape how Claude approaches tasks. They complement each other — use skills for expertise and MCP servers for capabilities.
Can I build my own MCP server?
Yes. Anthropic provides SDKs for TypeScript and Python to build MCP servers. A basic server can be created in under 50 lines of code. Check Anthropic's MCP documentation for guides and examples, then submit your server to Skiln to share with the community.