---
url: /mcp.zig/guide/getting-started.md
description: >-
  Get started with MCP.zig — install the library, create your first MCP server,
  and connect to AI applications in minutes.
---

# Getting Started

Welcome to **mcp.zig** — the first comprehensive [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/getting-started/intro) library for Zig!

::: info Why mcp.zig?
While MCP has official SDKs for TypeScript, Python, and other languages, **Zig currently lacks proper MCP support**. mcp.zig fills this gap, bringing the power of MCP to the Zig ecosystem.
:::

## What You'll Learn

In this guide, you'll learn how to:

1. Install mcp.zig as a dependency
2. Create a simple MCP server
3. Register tools, resources, and prompts
4. Connect to an MCP server as a client

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* [Zig 0.16.0](https://ziglang.org/download/) or later installed (use mcp.zig 0.0.6)
* Zig 0.15.x users should use mcp.zig 0.0.3
* Basic familiarity with Zig programming language

## Quick Installation

Run the following command in your project directory:

```bash
# Latest development branch
zig fetch --save git+https://github.com/muhammad-fiaz/mcp.zig.git

# Zig 0.16.x (recommended)
zig fetch --save https://github.com/muhammad-fiaz/mcp.zig/archive/refs/tags/0.0.6.tar.gz

# Zig 0.15.x
zig fetch --save https://github.com/muhammad-fiaz/mcp.zig/archive/refs/tags/0.0.3.tar.gz
```

Then in your `build.zig`:

```zig
const mcp_dep = b.dependency("mcp", .{
    .target = target,
    .optimize = optimize,
});

exe.root_module.addImport("mcp", mcp_dep.module("mcp"));
```

## Your First MCP Server

Here's a minimal example of an MCP server:

```zig
const std = @import("std");
const mcp = @import("mcp");

pub fn main(init: std.process.Init) void {
    // Run the application logic
    run(init.io, init.gpa) catch |err| {
        // Report error with link to issue tracker if needed
        mcp.reportError(err);
    };
}

fn run(io: std.Io, allocator: std.mem.Allocator) !void {
    // Create a server
    var server: mcp.Server = .init(allocator, .{
        .name = "hello-server",
        .version = "1.0.0",
    });
    defer server.deinit();

    // Add a simple tool
    try server.addTool(.{
        .name = "hello",
        .description = "Says hello to someone",
        .handler = helloHandler,
    });

    // Run the server (blocks until shutdown)
    try server.run(io, allocator, .stdio);
}

fn helloHandler(
    _: ?*anyopaque,
    _: std.Io,
    allocator: std.mem.Allocator,
    args: ?std.json.Value,
) mcp.tools.ToolError!mcp.tools.ToolResult {
    const name = mcp.tools.getString(args, "name") orelse "World";

    const message = try std.fmt.allocPrint(allocator, "Hello, {s}!", .{name});

    return mcp.tools.textResult(allocator, message);
}
```

## Next Steps

Now that you have the basics, explore:

* [Installation Guide](/guide/installation) - Learn about different installation methods
* [Server Guide](/guide/server) - Deep dive into server capabilities
* [Tools Guide](/guide/tools) - Learn how to create powerful tools
* [Examples](/examples/) - See complete working examples

### Official MCP Resources

* [Official MCP Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/getting-started/intro) - Learn about MCP from Anthropic
* [MCP Specification](https://spec.modelcontextprotocol.io/) - Full protocol specification
* [MCP GitHub](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol) - Official repositories