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mcp-server-catalog-reference

Recommends and configures MCP servers from a curated catalog of 50 servers across nine categories.

7|2|Updated May 16, 2026
Search Tags:#claude code#MCP#configuration#model context protocol#agent tooling#install commands#server catalog
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/reason-machines/mcp-skills --skill mcp-server-catalog-reference-reason-machines
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: mcp-server-catalog-reference
Source: https://github.com/reason-machines/mcp-skills/tree/main/skills/mcp-server-catalog-reference
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/reason-machines/mcp-skills --skill mcp-server-catalog-reference-reason-machines

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Choosing from the large MCP server ecosystem is risky: too many servers slow agents down, and servers handling money or production data can cause irreversible damage. This Skill provides a curated catalog of 50 vetted MCP servers with install commands, safety flags, and selection rules so users pick the right servers without tool bloat or security incidents. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Curated Server Catalog: 50 MCP servers organized into 9 categories (core dev, databases, ops/infra, productivity, fintech, web3, trading, creator tools, reasoning) with install commands for Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI. - Safety Guardrails: Explicit warnings and sandbox/testnet configuration patterns for servers that handle money, production databases, or irreversible on-chain transactions. - Selection Decision Tree: Role-based recommendation logic that enforces a 5-7 server limit and prefers official servers over community ones. - Use Case: A backend engineer asks which MCP servers to install for a Postgres project. The Skill recommends Postgres pointed at a read replica, GitHub, and Sentry, provides the exact claude mcp add commands, and warns against connecting to the production primary database. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to recommend MCP servers for your role, for example: "What MCP servers should I install for web3 development?"

Frequently Asked Questions about mcp-server-catalog-reference

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I choose the right MCP servers for my project?▼

Choose MCP servers based on your primary role: software developers start with GitHub, Context7, and Postgres; DevOps engineers add Cloudflare and Sentry; product managers use Linear, Notion, and Slack. Keep the total between 5 and 7 servers to avoid tool bloat that slows agents down.

How do I install an MCP server in Claude Code?▼

Install MCP servers in Claude Code with the `claude mcp add` command, using `--transport http` for hosted servers or `-- npx -y <package>` for local servers. For example, `claude mcp add github --transport http` adds the official GitHub server.

How many MCP servers should I install at once?▼

Install no more than 5-7 MCP servers at once. Tool bloat makes agents slower and less accurate, so if you already have 6 or more servers, remove the least-used ones before adding new ones.

Are MCP servers for Stripe, Postgres, or trading safe to use?▼

Servers handling money or production data require sandbox configuration before use. Point Postgres at a read replica, use Stripe test keys (sk_test_), configure Alpaca for paper trading, and set web3 servers like Solana or Base to testnets instead of mainnet.

Why is my MCP server not appearing in the tool list?▼

A missing MCP server usually means a config syntax error, a server that fails to start, or a stale agent session. Validate your JSON config with jq, run the server's npx command directly to check it starts, then fully restart the agent.

Does the MCP catalog work with Codex and Gemini CLI?▼

The catalog supports Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI with equivalent configuration formats. Claude Code uses claude_desktop_config.json, Codex uses ~/.codex/config.toml, and Gemini CLI uses ~/.gemini/settings.json, all defining the same mcpServers entries.

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