dxt-packaging

name: dxt-packaging description: MCPB (Model Context Protocol Bundle) Packaging and Distribution keywords: [mcpb, bundle, packaging, distribution, anthropic, extension, dxt]

MCPB Packaging Skill (DXT legacy)

Guidelines for building and packaging MCP servers as MCP Bundles (MCPB). DXT references are legacy.

Overview

MCP Bundles (MCPB) allow AI assistants to discover and use MCP servers from a package archive. This skill covers the complete MCPB development workflow.

Getting Started

Read the Specifications

Architecture & Overview: https://github.com/anthropics/mcpb
MCPB Repository: https://github.com/anthropics/mcpb

README.md - Architecture overview, capabilities, and integration patterns
MANIFEST.md - Complete bundle manifest structure and field definitions
examples/ - Reference implementations including a "Hello World" example

Create Proper Bundle Structure

Generate a valid manifest.json following the MANIFEST.md spec
Implement an MCP server using @modelcontextprotocol/sdk with proper tool definitions
Include proper error handling and timeout management

Development Best Practices

MCP Protocol Communication

Implement proper MCP protocol communication via stdio transport
Structure tools with clear schemas, validation, and consistent JSON responses
Make use of the fact that this bundle will be running locally

Logging & Debugging

Add appropriate logging and debugging capabilities
Use structured logging for error tracking
Include proper documentation and setup instructions

Testing Considerations

Validate that all tool calls return properly structured responses
Verify manifest loads correctly and host integration works
Generate complete, production-ready code that can be immediately tested
Focus on defensive programming and clear error messages
Follow the exact MCPB specifications to ensure ecosystem compatibility

Key Files

manifest.json - Bundle metadata and configuration
src/index.ts - Main entry point for the MCP server
build/ - Compiled output for distribution