From Zero to MCP Publisher in 15 Minutes

Never published an MCP tool? This guide gets you from zero to live on mcpm in 15 minutes flat.

Step 1: Install mcpm CLI (1 min)

npm i -g mcpm-dev
mcpm-dev login

Follow the browser prompt to authenticate with GitHub.

Step 2: Scaffold Your Tool (2 min)

mkdir my-first-mcp && cd my-first-mcp
npm init -y
npm install @modelcontextprotocol/sdk

Step 3: Write the Tool (5 min)

Create index.js:

import { Server } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/index.js";
import { StdioServerTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/stdio.js";

const server = new Server({
  name: "my-first-mcp",
  version: "1.0.0",
}, {
  capabilities: { tools: {} }
});

server.setRequestHandler("tools/list", async () => ({
  tools: [{
    name: "hello_world",
    description: "Returns a friendly greeting",
    inputSchema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        name: { type: "string", description: "Who to greet" }
      },
      required: ["name"]
    }
  }]
}));

server.setRequestHandler("tools/call", async (request) => {
  if (request.params.name === "hello_world") {
    const name = request.params.arguments.name;
    return {
      content: [{ type: "text", text: `Hello, ${name}! 👋` }]
    };
  }
  throw new Error(`Unknown tool: ${request.params.name}`);
});

const transport = new StdioServerTransport();
await server.connect(transport);

Step 4: Test Locally (2 min)

node index.js

In another terminal, configure your MCP client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, etc.) to point to this server.

Step 5: Write a README (2 min)

Create README.md. This becomes your mcpm listing page. Include:

• What the tool does
• How to install and use it
• Available tools and their parameters

Step 6: Publish to mcpm (1 min)

mcpm-dev publish

That's it! Your tool is now live at https://www.mcpm.dev/packages/my-first-mcp.

What's Next?

• Add more tools to your server
• Set up automated testing
• Apply for the verified badge after 100 weekly downloads

What's the first MCP tool you want to build? Share your idea below!

#MCP #Tutorial #Beginner #DevTools #mcpm