What is MCPBar?
- A package manager for discovering and installing MCP servers (which connect AI models to tools/APIs)
- Uses a standardized mcp.json manifest format (similar to package.json) (link: https://github.com/in-fun/mcpbar/blob/main/doc/proposal.md)
- Works across multiple MCP clients like Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf
- Includes an open registry with standardized metadata for MCP servers
Why I built it:
The MCP ecosystem is growing rapidly but lacks standardization. Each AI client implements MCP differently, making discovery and installation frustratingly manual. MCPBar creates a decentralized-yet-standardized approach to package management for AI tools.
Technical highlights:
- Decentralized registry pattern inspired by npm and ESM imports
- Manifest files contain standardized metadata and installation instructions
- Cross-platform support (works on macOS/Windows/Linux)
- Simple CLI interface: mcpbar install github/github-mcp-server
Try it:
npm install -g mcpbar
mcpbar search github # Find GitHub-related MCP servers
mcpbar install github/github-mcp-server # Install a GitHub MCP server
GitHub: https://github.com/in-fun/mcpbar
Project site: https://www.mcp.bar
I'd love feedback on the manifest format, the CLI interface, and whether this approach makes sense for the evolving MCP ecosystem. Are there other features you'd want this to support?