This MCP server collection implements the Microsoft MCP ecosystem, providing context and capabilities that can be consumed by LLMs and AI assistants through the Model Context Protocol. The servers expose a standardized MCP interface that allows clients to request data sources, tools, and services from Microsoft’s MCP builds (including Azure-related integrations and Foundry-oriented tooling). Use a compatible MCP client to connect to the server, negotiate capabilities, and request context or actions from the server in the MCP message format. Typical use cases include retrieving cloud resource information, performing actions against managed services, or querying knowledge sources that augment model reasoning with up-to-date context. The server set is designed to be extended by hosts like IDEs or chat assistants, enabling 1:1 MCP connections and pluggable data sources.

To start using the tools and capabilities, configure a client to connect to the MCP server endpoints exposed by this repository. Once connected, enumerate available capabilities, data sources, and actions, then issue requests to fetch context, execute operations, or coordinate with other services as defined by the MCP protocol. The Microsoft MCP Server collection emphasizes cloud and developer tooling integrations (Azure, Foundry, DevOps, etc.), so expect commands and data surfaces related to cloud resources, deployment tasks, and knowledge objects that enrich LLM-based workflows.

Prerequisites:

• Node.js (LTS version recommended)
• npm or yarn
• Git

Installation steps:

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/microsoft/mcp.git
2. Change directory to the MCP repository: cd mcp
3. Install dependencies (example for the Microsoft MCP Server package): npm install
4. Start the MCP server as described in the repository's guidance (example): node server.js

   Or use an npm script if provided, e.g. npm run start

5. Verify the server is listening on the expected port and that a MCP client can connect and enumerate capabilities.

Notes:

• If the project uses a monorepo structure, you may need to install and run a specific server package within servers/Microsoft.Mcp.Server or equivalent path. Adjust the steps accordingly based on the actual repository layout.
• Consult any LOCAL development docs or TROUBLESHOOTING guides in the repository for environment-specific issues.

Tips and considerations:

• The MCP servers are designed to work with MCP clients; ensure your client is aligned with the MCP version supported by this repository.
• Environment variables: you may need to configure endpoints, authentication for Azure services, or feature flags. Look for a .env.sample or documentation in the servers or docs folders.
• If you encounter port conflicts, change the server port in the configuration or environment variables as documented by the server implementation.
• For troubleshooting, check server logs, MCP handshake messages, and capability negotiation results to verify that the client and server agree on the available data sources and actions.
• If the repository contains multiple server implementations, ensure you are starting the intended Microsoft MCP Server package rather than a shared library or test harness.