MCPB Tutorial: Packaging and Distributing Local MCP Servers as Bundles

Learn how to use modelcontextprotocol/mcpb to package local MCP servers into signed .mcpb bundles with manifest metadata, CLI workflows, and distribution-ready operational controls.

Why This Track Matters

As MCP servers proliferate, teams need a consistent packaging format for local installation, updates, and trust validation. MCP Bundles (.mcpb) provide a portable distribution layer that packages server runtime files with a manifest-driven install contract.

This track focuses on:

• understanding the DXT -> MCPB rename and format model
• authoring high-quality manifest.json definitions
• operating CLI workflows for init, validate, pack, sign, and verify
• planning secure distribution and host compatibility controls

Current Snapshot (auto-updated)

• repository: modelcontextprotocol/mcpb
• stars: about 2k
• GitHub release reference: v2.1.2 (checked 2026-06-15; release metadata on GitHub)

Mental Model

flowchart LR
    A[Local MCP server code] --> B[manifest.json]
    B --> C[mcpb validate]
    C --> D[mcpb pack]
    D --> E[extension.mcpb]
    E --> F[mcpb sign/verify]
    F --> G[Host install + runtime]

Chapter Guide

Chapter	Key Question	Outcome
01 - Getting Started and Bundle Fundamentals	What is MCPB and how do I start building bundles?	Fast onboarding
02 - Manifest Model, Metadata, and Compatibility	How should manifest.json be structured for durable installs?	Better compatibility
03 - Server Configuration and Runtime Packaging	How do Node/Python/Binary/UV runtime options affect bundle design?	Safer runtime choices
04 - Tools, Prompts, User Config, and Localization	How do I model capabilities and user-configurable inputs cleanly?	Higher UX quality
05 - CLI Workflows: Init, Validate, and Pack	How do I standardize bundle creation pipelines?	Repeatable packaging
06 - Signing, Verification, and Trust Controls	How do I ship bundles with integrity guarantees?	Stronger supply-chain posture
07 - Examples, Language Patterns, and Distribution Readiness	What do practical bundle implementations look like?	Faster productionization
08 - Release, Governance, and Ecosystem Operations	How do teams operate MCPB workflows at scale over time?	Durable operations

What You Will Learn

• how to design bundle manifests that balance flexibility and compatibility
• how to choose runtime packaging strategies per language and environment
• how to run signed, verifiable distribution flows for local MCP servers
• how to implement governance controls around updates and host trust

Source References

• MCPB README
• MCPB Manifest Spec
• MCPB CLI Documentation
• MCPB Examples
• Hello World UV Example
• MCPB Contributing Guide

Related Tutorials

• MCP Specification Tutorial
• MCP Servers Tutorial
• MCP Ext Apps Tutorial
• MCP Use Tutorial

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Start with Chapter 1: Getting Started and Bundle Fundamentals.

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Full Chapter Map

1. Chapter 1: Getting Started and Bundle Fundamentals
2. Chapter 2: Manifest Model, Metadata, and Compatibility
3. Chapter 3: Server Configuration and Runtime Packaging
4. Chapter 4: Tools, Prompts, User Config, and Localization
5. Chapter 5: CLI Workflows: Init, Validate, and Pack
6. Chapter 6: Signing, Verification, and Trust Controls
7. Chapter 7: Examples, Language Patterns, and Distribution Readiness
8. Chapter 8: Release, Governance, and Ecosystem Operations

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