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Guide · checked October 17, 2026

Where to submit an MCP server

You built a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server and want developers using Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and other AI agents to find it. Publish it to the official MCP Registry, then add it to the directories people browse. Each one takes something different: a GitHub repo, a live URL or a package.

Plug and Ship publishes this guide and is one of the places listed. Rules for other sites link to their own pages.

At a glance

WhereYou submitCost
Official MCP RegistryA server.json that points to your package (npm, PyPI, NuGet, OCI or MCPB) or to a public remote URL, published with the mcp-publisher CLINo fee in the docs.
GlamaA GitHub repo through Add MCP Server, with a display name and short descriptionFree to list. Hosting on Glama is paid.
SmitheryA public HTTPS URL that speaks Streamable HTTP, or a prebuilt MCPB bundle for a local stdio serverNo listing fee in the publish docs.
mcp.soA repository URL, with the type: MCP server, remote server, client, CLI or agent skillFree with review, or $39 once to publish right away with a verified badge, featured placement and a dofollow link.
Plug and ShipA public GitHub repo of an MCP server, agent skill or plugin for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex or another coding agentFree. Free launches go out in order; Fast-track ($19 once) lets you pick the day.
PulseMCPPaused when we checkedn/a

  1. 01Official MCP Registry

    What you submit:
    A server.json that points to your package (npm, PyPI, NuGet, OCI or MCPB) or to a public remote URL, published with the mcp-publisher CLI. You prove you control the namespace, for example with GitHub.
    Cost:
    No fee in the docs.
    Review:
    Automated namespace verification. The registry is in preview, so breaking changes or data resets can happen.
    Note:
    Do this first. Glama ingests everything in the registry, and PulseMCP says it will pick up registry entries once its submissions reopen.

    [2][1][5][9]

    registry.modelcontextprotocol.io/

  2. 02Glama

    What you submit:
    A GitHub repo through Add MCP Server, with a display name and short description. You need write or admin access to the repo. Remote servers go in as connectors (HTTPS, Streamable HTTP).
    Cost:
    Free to list. Hosting on Glama is paid.
    Review:
    Automated build, security scan and quality checks. Glama says most submissions pass within minutes.
    Note:
    A glama.json file in the repo sets the name, description, category and build details.

    [4][3][5]

    glama.ai/mcp/servers

  3. 03Smithery

    What you submit:
    A public HTTPS URL that speaks Streamable HTTP, or a prebuilt MCPB bundle for a local stdio server.
    Cost:
    No listing fee in the publish docs.
    Review:
    Smithery scans the server for its tools. If auth blocks the scan, serve a static card at /.well-known/mcp/server-card.json.
    Note:
    Firewalls such as Cloudflare Bot Fight Mode can block the scan; the docs explain how to allow it.

    [6]

    smithery.ai/new

  4. 04mcp.so

    What you submit:
    A repository URL, with the type: MCP server, remote server, client, CLI or agent skill.
    Cost:
    Free with review, or $39 once to publish right away with a verified badge, featured placement and a dofollow link.
    Review:
    Free submissions are reviewed before they go live.

    [7]

    mcp.so/submit

  5. 05Plug and Ship

    What you submit:
    A public GitHub repo of an MCP server, agent skill or plugin for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex or another coding agent. Stars, README and topics are pulled in automatically.
    Cost:
    Free. Free launches go out in order; Fast-track ($19 once) lets you pick the day.
    Review:
    Open source only. Every submission is checked and spam is removed.
    Note:
    On launch day the tool is on the board, the ticker and the Weekly shortlist, and it keeps a permanent page with an install line and a README badge.

    [10]

    plugandship.dev/submit

  6. 06PulseMCP (paused)

    PulseMCP lists 21,688 MCP servers [8], but its submit page says it is not accepting new servers or changes to existing listings right now and gives no reopening date. The page was last updated on September 3, 2026 and was still paused on October 17, 2026. It asks authors to publish to the official MCP Registry, which it will pick up automatically when it reopens [9].

Before you submit

  • Put a one-line install command at the top of the README, for example a claude mcp add line or an npx command, inside a code block. Plug and Ship picks the install line up from the README when it finds one.
  • Pick a license. Glama grades license, quality and maintenance on every server card [3].
  • Write tool descriptions that say what each tool does and when to call it. Glama scores tool definitions on these points [5].
  • For a remote server, return 401 (not 403) to unauthenticated requests so OAuth discovery works; Smithery's docs explain why [6].
Launch on Plug and Ship freePlug and Ship MCP endpoint

FAQ

Where should I submit my MCP server first?
The official MCP Registry. It is the public record of MCP servers, Glama ingests it, and PulseMCP says it will pick up registry entries when its submissions reopen.
Is PulseMCP accepting MCP server submissions?
Not when we checked on October 17, 2026. Its submit page says new submissions and listing changes are temporarily paused, gives no reopening date, and recommends publishing to the official MCP Registry.
Which MCP directories let me list for free?
The official MCP Registry, Glama and Plug and Ship take submissions at no cost. Smithery's publish docs mention no fee. mcp.so is free with review, or $39 to skip it.
Can I submit an agent skill or a Claude Code plugin?
Yes. mcp.so accepts agent skills, and Plug and Ship lists agent skills and plugins for Claude Code, Cursor and Codex next to MCP servers.

Sources

Checked on October 17, 2026. Prices and numbers on other sites change; follow the links for the current version.

  1. Official MCP Registry https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io/
  2. MCP Registry quickstart: publish a server https://modelcontextprotocol.io/registry/quickstart
  3. Glama home page https://glama.ai/
  4. Glama MCP FAQ https://glama.ai/mcp/faq
  5. Glama: how Glama indexes the MCP ecosystem https://glama.ai/mcp/methodology
  6. Smithery docs: Publish https://smithery.ai/docs/build/publish
  7. mcp.so submit page https://mcp.so/submit
  8. PulseMCP server directory https://www.pulsemcp.com/servers
  9. PulseMCP submit page https://www.pulsemcp.com/submit
  10. Plug and Ship: submit a tool https://plugandship.dev/submit
Plug and Ship vs SmitheryPlug and Ship vs GlamaPlug and Ship vs PulseMCPSmithery alternativesWhere to submit an MCP server