MCP server auto-discovery – Replicate changelog

Replicate’s MCP server can now be discovered automatically through the official MCP Registry.

We added a /.well-known/mcp/server.json endpoint that publishes metadata about the MCP server. This follows the server.json specification from the Model Context Protocol.

How discovery works

The MCP Registry is the official metadata repository for MCP servers, backed by Anthropic, GitHub, and Microsoft. It doesn’t host code—just metadata that describes where to find servers and how to install them.

When you publish a server.json file at /.well-known/mcp/server.json, the Registry can discover your server automatically. MCP clients then use the Registry to find and install servers.

Clients with built-in discovery

A few MCP clients have built-in marketplaces or directories:

VS Code has the best Registry integration. Enable chat.mcp.gallery.enabled in your settings, then search @mcp in the Extensions view to browse and install MCP servers.
Claude Desktop has a curated extensions directory at Settings > Extensions > Browse extensions.

Other clients like ChatGPT, Cursor, and LM Studio require manual configuration—you add the server URL or edit a config file yourself.

Code mode option

The metadata also exposes the --tools flag, which lets you choose between standard tools (all) or code mode (code) when installing.