---
title: MCP Python SDK — MCP protocol
date: 2026-10-18
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: Official Python SDK that allows creating MCP servers in about 20 lines with a decorator API.
tags: program, MCP protocol, py-sdk
---

Official SDK for building MCP servers and clients in Python

## Basic Information

| Program name | MCP Python SDK (MCP Python SDK) |
| --- | --- |
| One-line introduction | Official SDK for building MCP servers and clients in Python |
| Development/Maintenance | Model Context Protocol project |
| Official website | https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/sdk |
| Official documentation | https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk |
| Installation/Distribution | uv add "mcp[cli]" or pip install "mcp[cli]" |
| Runtime environment | Python 3.10 or later |
| License | MIT License |
| Stable version | 2.3.0 (PyPI, confirmed 2026-10) — confirmed on 2026-10-18 |
| GitHub repository | https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk |
| Category | MCP protocol (tags: MCP, SDK, Python, server development, agent) |

## What is this program?

MCP Python SDK is the official SDK for building MCP servers and clients in Python. Using the decorator API, you can complete a server that exposes a single tool in about 20 lines.

It follows familiar Python patterns like FastAPI and Flask, and supports stdio and Streamable HTTP transports with AnyIO-based asynchronous I/O. It is a natural choice when exposing data analysis and machine learning tools via MCP.

## What problems does it solve?

- Situations where you need to expose internal tools/models built in Python via MCP
- Situations where you need to integrate MCP servers with FastAPI and data pipelines
- Situations where you need to distribute using Python ecosystem tools such as uv and pip
## Key Features

### Decorator API

Define tools easily with the @mcp.tool() decorator

- **Use case**: Build a server with minimal code
- **Result**: A Python function becomes an MCP tool
- **Limitations**: Requires understanding asynchronous function patterns
### Multiple transports

Supports stdio and Streamable HTTP transports

- **Use case**: Implement both local and remote servers
- **Result**: Can integrate with FastAPI
- **Limitations**: Authentication setup required for remote deployment
### Built-in CLI

Run and test servers with the mcp CLI

- **Use case**: Fast development loop
- **Result**: Easy distribution via uvx and pipx
- **Limitations**: CLI options vary by version
### AnyIO-based

Supports Python async runtimes such as asyncio and trio

- **Use case**: Integrate with existing asynchronous code
- **Result**: Event loop compatibility
- **Limitations**: Synchronous code requires separate handling
## Installation and Execution

### uv (Recommended)

Install quickly with the uv package manager.

```
uv add "mcp[cli]"
```

### pip

Install with pip.

```
pip install "mcp[cli]"
```

### pipx

Install as an isolated CLI tool.

```
pipx install "mcp[cli]"
```

## Real Usage Examples

### Creating a Server

Define a tool with a decorator and run the server.

```
@mcp.tool() def add(a:int,b:int)->int: return a+b
```

### Running the Server

Start the server with stdio transport.

```
mcp run server.py
```

### Client Connection

Connect to remote/local servers with McpClient.

```
async with client_session(...) as client: await client.list_tools()
```

## Advantages and Limitations

### Advantages

- MIT License, the largest Python MCP ecosystem
- Build a minimal-code server with decorators
- Natural integration with FastAPI and AnyIO
- Compatible with Python distribution tools such as uv and pipx
### Considerations Before Use

- Limited for large-scale concurrency due to the Python GIL
- Some advanced features may lag compared to the TypeScript SDK
- Requires learning asynchronous patterns
## Comparison with Similar Programs

| Program | Features | Suitable for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MCP TypeScript SDK | Official SDK based on Web standards | Node, Bun, Deno environments |
| FastMCP | High-level Python server framework | Rapid prototyping |
| mcp-use | Python agent framework | Agent/server integration development |

## Official Resources and Further Learning

- [Official website](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/sdk) — https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/sdk
- [Official documentation / knowledge base](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk
- [Installation/Distribution](uv add ) — uv add "mcp[cli]" or pip install "mcp[cli]"
- [Release notes](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk/releases) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk/releases
- [Source / development materials](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk
Version and supported environment information is based on the official site as of 2026-10-18. Installation commands may vary depending on the distribution and version you use, so also check the official installation documentation.

## Actual Execution Screen

Synthetic example — not an actual execution result. The screen is a synthetic example and is not an actual execution result.

![MCP Python SDK installation and server execution example](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/py-sdk-demo.png)

Server actually in operation

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Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/mcp/protocol/py-sdk.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.