Nightschool AI: Build your first MCP server
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol, introduced by Anthropic, that standardizes how applications give LLMs access to tools and data — an MCP server is the piece that exposes those tools to a client like Claude.
What you'll have built
- A minimal MCP server running locally, exposing at least one real tool
- That server connected to an MCP client and called successfully
- A working template you can extend with your own tools afterward
What's inside
Guide
Setting up the SDK, writing your first tool, and running the server in dev mode before you connect anything to it.
Copy-paste templates
A copy-paste starter server with one tool already wired up, so you edit instead of starting from a blank file.
Test checklist
How to confirm your server responds correctly to a tool call before you point a real client at it.
Worked example
One real tool, built and called end to end, with the request and response shown.
Not ready to join the waitlist? Start with a free lesson instead: MCP Servers: Connecting Claude to Your Stack (free lesson)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to already know Claude's API?
No — the kit starts from the MCP SDK's own getting-started flow, not from prior API experience.
Is MCP a Claude-only thing?
MCP is an open protocol; this kit teaches the general pattern, which works with any MCP-compatible client, not only Claude.
When does the kit ship?
It doesn't exist yet. We're measuring demand first — join the waitlist and we'll build the top-requested kit first.