build-mcpb

You can package an MCP server with its runtime dependencies into a single deployable .mcpb file using the @anthropic-ai/mcpb tool. This bundles the server code and its Node.js or Python runtime together for standalone local deployment.

An .mcpb file is a bundled local MCP server package that contains both the server code and its required runtime. You need it for local deployment scenarios where you want to distribute a self-contained server application without requiring users to install dependencies separately.

Yes, the mcpb pack command supports bundling both Node.js and Python MCP servers. It requires the @anthropic-ai/mcpb tool and a valid manifest to package the server with its specific runtime environment into a single file.

Yes, a valid manifest is required to build a standalone MCP server package. The manifest defines the server configuration and dependencies, which the @anthropic-ai/mcpb tool uses to bundle the server code with its runtime into a single .mcpb file.

Runtime bundling packages the server with its required runtime environment, simplifying deployment and ensuring compatibility on the user's machine. This allows a server-side application to run with limited setup, such as accessing local files without requiring separate runtime installations.

The best way to distribute a local MCP server that accesses the filesystem is to package it into a self-contained .mcpb file. This bundles the server with its runtime, creating a standalone executable that users can deploy without manual environment configuration.