Configuration varies by implementation, but most MCP servers require the same core decisions.
- Enabled tools and resources
- Transport mode and listen settings
- Authentication and API credentials
- Logging level and audit output
- Allowed paths, hosts, or service scopes
- Timeouts and concurrency limits
- Start with read-only resources
- Bind locally unless remote access is required
- Enable structured logs
- Set conservative timeouts
- Separate credentials by environment
- Server starts without warnings
- Client can list tools/resources
- Unauthorized paths/actions are denied
- Logs contain enough detail for troubleshooting