> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mcpcore.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating a Server

> An MCP server is the container that groups your tools under a single subdomain endpoint.

## What is an MCP server?

An MCP server is a named, hosted process that exposes one or more tools to any MCP-compatible AI client. When the AI connects to your server, it discovers all available tools and their input schemas — then decides which ones to call based on the conversation.

Each server gets its own:

* **Subdomain URL** — `https://your-subdomain.mcpcore.io/mcp` (chosen by you at creation time)
* **Custom domain** — optionally use your own domain with automatic SSL
* **Security mode** — independent auth configuration (Public, Unlisted, API Key, or OAuth)
* **Tool collection** — the functions the AI can call
* **Environment secrets** — encrypted key-value pairs referenced as `env.KEY_NAME`

You can create as many servers as you need. Common patterns:

| Pattern                    | Example subdomain                         |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| One server per project     | `github-tools`, `jira-tools`, `slack-bot` |
| One server per environment | `my-api-dev`, `my-api-prod`               |
| One server per team        | `data-team`, `infra-tools`                |
| One server per customer    | `acme-corp`, `example-inc`                |

***

## Create a server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to My Servers">
    From the dashboard sidebar, click **My Servers**, then click the **New Server** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the server details">
    The creation form has the following fields:

    ### Code

    A unique machine identifier for your server (max 20 characters). Used internally and in integration configs. Must be in `snake_case` or `camelCase` format.

    > Example: `github_tools`, `slackBot`

    ### Title

    A human-readable name displayed in the dashboard (max 100 characters).

    > Example: `GitHub Tools`, `Slack Bot`, `Inventory API`

    ### Description *(optional)*

    A short description of what this server does (max 255 characters).

    ### Category

    Select the category that best describes your server's purpose:

    | Category                  | Use for                                           |
    | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
    | Data & Database           | Database connections, SQL, NoSQL, data warehouses |
    | Files & Documents         | File systems, cloud storage, document management  |
    | Web & Search              | Web scraping, search engines, external APIs       |
    | DevTools & Repositories   | Git, version control, CI/CD, code hosting         |
    | Messaging & Collaboration | Slack, Teams, email, communication platforms      |
    | Business & Productivity   | CRM, ERP, project management, analytics           |
    | AI & ML Services          | Machine learning APIs, AI models, NLP services    |
    | Automation & Workflows    | Zapier, workflow engines, task automation         |
    | Security & Auth           | Authentication, authorization, security tools     |
    | Custom & Internal         | Internal tools, custom integrations               |
    | Other                     | Uncategorized or specialized services             |

    ### Subdomain

    The subdomain for your server's endpoint (1–63 characters). Must contain only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens; cannot start or end with a hyphen.

    Your server will be reachable at `https://your-subdomain.mcpcore.io/mcp`. Choose something short and memorable.

    > Example: `github-tools` → `https://github-tools.mcpcore.io/mcp`

    <Warning>
      Subdomains must be globally unique across all MCPCore accounts. If your preferred subdomain is taken, try adding a suffix (e.g. `my-github-tools`).
    </Warning>

    ### Custom Domain *(optional)*

    You can use your own domain instead of the default `mcpcore.io` subdomain. Enter your domain (e.g. `mcp.yourcompany.com`) and point a CNAME record to your MCPCore subdomain. SSL is provisioned automatically.

    <Note>
      Custom domains are available on paid plans. MCPCore monitors SSL certificate status and performs periodic verification.
    </Note>

    ### Instructions *(optional)*

    Custom system-level instructions sent to the AI when it connects to this server. Use this to give the AI context about your tools' intended scope, tone, or constraints.

    > Example: `Only use these tools for read-only operations. Never modify data unless explicitly asked.`

    ### Transport Type

    Currently only **Streamable** is available — the default real-time streaming transport for MCP.

    ### Rate Limit Per Minute

    Maximum number of tool calls per minute (0 = unlimited, max 5000). Use this to protect backend services from excessive AI-driven calls.

    > Default: 60 requests/minute

    ### Security Mode

    How incoming requests are authenticated. See [Security Overview](/servers/security-overview) for a full comparison.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create server">
    Your server is live immediately. You'll be redirected to the server detail page where you can start adding tools.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## The server detail page

Once created, the server detail page is your central hub. The page is organised into tabs:

| Tab             | What's here                                                                             |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Overview**    | Subdomain URL, security info, tools list, environment secrets, recent logs and traffic  |
| **Analytics**   | Request volume, error rate, latency, tool breakdown, session and hourly trends          |
| **Integration** | Ready-to-paste config snippets for Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, and Cline |

***

## Your server's endpoint URL

Your server's MCP endpoint URL is based on the subdomain you chose:

```
https://your-subdomain.mcpcore.io/mcp
```

If you configured a **custom domain**:

```
https://mcp.yourcompany.com/mcp
```

For **Unlisted** mode, the URL includes an embedded secret key:

```
https://your-subdomain.mcpcore.io/mcp/{secretKey}
```

Copy the endpoint URL from the **Overview** section of the server detail page. This URL is permanent — it never changes if you rename the server or update its settings.

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="shield" href="/servers/security-overview" title="Configure security">
    Choose and configure the right security mode for your use case.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="wrench" href="/tools/create" title="Add tools">
    Write the JavaScript tool functions this server will expose.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>