MCP

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a client tool that exposes local MCP servers through Flask, enabling platforms like Coze, Dify, and FastGPT to interact with local resources via self-hosted intranet penetration.

How to use MCP?

Set up the environment with uv, create a project directory, activate a virtual environment, and install dependencies from pyproject.toml. Configure mcp_server.json with server definitions and set environment variables in a .env file. Run python server.py to start the Flask server. Use POST requests to endpoints like /list_tool, /call_tool, /list_server, /list_files, and GET requests to /get_download_link/<secret_key>/<filename>.

Key features of MCP

• Exposes local MCP servers via HTTP API.
• Supports multiple server definitions in a JSON config.
• Provides endpoints to list tools, call tools, and list servers.
• Includes file listing and download link generation.
• Uses secret key authentication for API requests.
• Works with self-signed certificates for local development.

Use cases of MCP

• Integrate local MCP tools (e.g., weather, filesystem) with cloud AI platforms.
• Allow Coze, Dify, or FastGPT to call local Python scripts via API.
• Securely expose file management capabilities to external services.
• Debug and test MCP server interactions with a simple REST interface.

FAQ from MCP

What is required to run MCP?

You need uv installed, a virtual environment, and dependencies from pyproject.toml. A mcp_server.json file defines the servers to expose, and a .env file holds sensitive keys.

How do I configure servers in MCP?

Edit mcp_server.json with entries containing desc, command, and args. Each entry represents an MCP server that will be exposed via the Flask API.

Is authentication supported?

Yes, all API endpoints require a secret_key in the request body (or URL path for downloads). The secret is defined in the .env file.

Can I use MCP in production?

The README recommends using formal SSL certificates from a trusted CA (e.g., Let’s Encrypt) for cloud deployment, as self-signed certificates may cause issues on platforms like Coze.

What transports does MCP support?

MCP uses HTTP POST and GET endpoints via a Flask server. The default transport is REST over HTTP/HTTPS. No other transports (like WebSocket) are mentioned.