With the growing popularity of Machine Context Protocol (MCP), developers increasingly want to create custom MCP servers to extend AI capabilities. Sealos DevBox offers a streamlined solution, allowing you to develop and deploy your own MCP server in minutes. This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process, from initial setup to deployment.

Want to get started straight away? Deploy an MCP server with DevBox.

You can also follow along with the video tutorial:

Machine Context Protocol (MCP) servers extend AI capabilities by connecting large language models to external tools and services. By developing your own MCP server, you can create custom integrations that empower AI models to perform specialized tasks. If you want to learn more checkout: What is MCP?

Step 1: Create Your Development Environment

1. Visit Sealos Cloud
2. Click on the DevBox icon and select "New Project"
3. In the configuration settings, choose "MCP Service" as your development framework
4. Select your preferred programming language (Python, JavaScript, Go, etc.)
5. Click "Create" to finish setting up your project

Create a new DevBox project using the MCP template

Step 2: Connect to Your Development Environment

1. In the project list, find your newly created project
2. Click the dropdown arrow next to the IDE icon
3. Select your preferred IDE (VS Code, JetBrains, etc.)
4. Follow the prompts to install the DevBox plugin for secure SSH connection
5. Your IDE will automatically establish a remote connection

Connect to your DevBox directly from your IDE with 1-click

Step 3: Understanding the Project Structure

Once connected, you'll see a basic project structure. In this example we will go other the Python deployment - so the file names and contents may vary slightly. In the Python version you will find:

• .venv: Contains all project dependencies (MCP-related dependencies are pre-installed)
• entrypoint.sh: Contains project startup commands
• manage.py: Your main program file (for Python projects)

The template includes three main components:

1. MCP Service Initialization

This initializes your MCP service with a specified name.

2. SSE Communication Logic

The template includes pre-configured Server-Sent Events (SSE) communication code to handle client connections, so you don't need to modify this part.

3. Tool Implementation

This is where you'll implement your MCP server's functionality.

Let's create an MCP server that retrieves geographical information based on IP addresses.

First let's add the dependency httpx towards the top of the file import httpx and then we can add our main function:

This function accepts an IP address parameter, queries an external geolocation API, and returns the results in JSON format.

1. Execute ./entrypoint.sh to start your project
2. In VSCode Network tab, you can see your public URL
3. This URL is your MCP server's public endpoint that anyone can access

Run your DevBox project from the entrypoint script

You can connect to your MCP server using any SSE-compatible client. Let's go with Cherry Studio as an example:

1. Install Cherry Studio
2. Add your preferred AI model (like OpenAI or DeepSeek)
3. Add your MCP server:
   • Type: SSE
   • URL: Your public URL + "/sse" path
4. Enable tool calling in your model's settings
5. In the chat interface, enable your MCP server
6. Test by asking the AI to look up an IP address

Cherry Studio is an SSE-compatible client

Once development and testing are complete:

1. Navigate to the "Version History" section in your project details
2. Click "Publish Version"
3. Fill in the required information:
   • Image name (auto-filled)
   • Version number (e.g., v1.0)
   • Description
4. Click "Release" and then "Deploy"
5. The system will redirect you to Sealos Application Management
6. Click "Deploy Application" (default configurations are usually sufficient)
7. When the status shows "running," your deployment is complete
8. Copy the public address and update it in your client application

Once ready you can publish your DevBox

With Sealos DevBox, developing and deploying MCP servers becomes remarkably simple and accessible. As the MCP protocol continues to evolve, AI capabilities will become increasingly powerful and diverse, lowering development barriers further.

The ease of development means your creativity, not technical constraint, will define what's possible. Whether you're building tools for data analysis, content generation, or specialized industry applications, Sealos DevBox provides the infrastructure to bring your ideas to life quickly.

Start building your own MCP server today and join the growing ecosystem of developers extending AI capabilities!