> ## 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.

# Server Settings

> Manage your server's active state, restart it, change its security mode, or delete it.

## Accessing settings

Server controls are available directly on the **Overview** tab of the server detail page. There is also an **Edit** button in the top-right corner that opens the full settings form.

***

## Activate / Deactivate a server

Every server has an **Active** toggle switch visible at the top of the Overview tab.

* **Active (on):** The server accepts incoming MCP requests normally.
* **Inactive (off):** The server rejects all incoming requests with a `503 Service Unavailable` response. Your tools, secrets, and configuration are preserved.

Use this to temporarily disable a server without deleting it — for maintenance, billing concerns, or while debugging a production issue. Toggle it back on when you're ready.

<Note>
  Deactivating a server takes effect immediately. Connected AI clients will lose access until the server is re-activated.
</Note>

***

## Restart a server

The **Restart** button (visible in the server header) stops all active connections, clears the runtime state, and brings the server back online with a fresh execution environment.

**When to restart:**

* After updating secrets — to ensure the new values are loaded immediately
* If the server appears unresponsive without a clear error in the logs
* After making significant changes to multiple tools at once

<Warning>
  Restarting terminates all in-flight tool executions. Any requests currently being processed will receive an error response. Restart during a low-traffic period when possible.
</Warning>

***

## Edit server details

Click the **Edit** button to open the full server form where you can update:

* **Title** and **Description**
* **Category**
* **Instructions** (AI system prompt)
* **Rate limit per minute**
* **Security mode**
* **Custom domain**

The **Code** and **Subdomain** fields cannot be changed after creation — they are permanent identifiers.

***

## Custom domain

You can map your own domain to your MCPCore server. Enter the domain in the **Custom Domain** field (e.g. `mcp.yourcompany.com`), then create a CNAME DNS record pointing to your MCPCore subdomain.

SSL certificates are provisioned and managed automatically. The dashboard shows the current SSL status:

* **Pending** — certificate is being provisioned
* **Active** — SSL is active and the custom domain is ready
* **Failed** — check your DNS configuration

<Note>
  Custom domains require a paid plan. MCPCore periodically verifies SSL status and DNS configuration.
</Note>

***

## Change the security mode

You can switch security modes at any time from the edit form. The subdomain URL stays the same.

<Warning>
  Changing the security mode takes effect immediately. Connected AI clients that no longer provide valid credentials will receive `401 Unauthorized`.
</Warning>

See [Security Overview](/servers/security-overview) for a full description of each mode.

***

## Delete a server

Deleting a server is permanent and removes:

* The server and its subdomain endpoint
* All tools on the server
* All secrets stored on the server
* All traffic and error logs associated with the server

<Warning>
  This action cannot be undone. Connected AI clients will immediately lose access to the server's tools. The subdomain is released and may become available to others.
</Warning>

To confirm, you'll be asked to type the server name before the delete button becomes active.

***

## Blocking access without deleting

If you need to temporarily block all access:

1. **Deactivate** the server (toggle switch) — simplest option, fully reversible
2. **Switch to API Key mode** and keep the key secret — clients without the key get `401`
3. **Set rate limit to 0 and deactivate** — belt and suspenders for critical servers