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Choosing MCP Servers

MCP servers are curated collections of related tools organized by workflow or service category. This guide helps you find, evaluate, and enable the right MCP servers for your needs.

What Are MCP Servers?​

An MCP server is a pre-configured collection of tools that work together for a specific purpose:

Marketing Automation MCP server might include:

  • Email campaign tools (Smartlead, Resend)
  • CRM tools (HubSpot)
  • Analytics tools (Google Analytics)

Developer Tools MCP server might include:

  • Code hosting (GitHub, GitLab)
  • CI/CD (GitHub Actions)
  • Issue tracking (Linear, Jira)

Content Creation MCP server might include:

  • Image generation (DALL-E, Midjourney)
  • Text tools (OpenAI GPT)
  • Social media (Twitter, LinkedIn)

Discovering MCP servers​

Opening Discover​

  1. Log in to MCPBundles Dashboard
  2. Click MCP Servers in the left navigation
  3. Open the Discover tab

You'll see all available MCP servers organized by category.

MCP server card information​

Each MCP server card shows:

MCP server name - e.g., "Marketing Automation Suite"

Category Badge - e.g., "Marketing", "Developer Tools"

Tool Count - Number of tools included (e.g., "12 tools")

Provider Count - Number of services used (e.g., "4 providers")

Status Badge:

  • Ready (with "Credentials valid" subtext) - All providers configured, ready to use ✅
  • Setup Required (with "Connect provider accounts" subtext) - Needs credential configuration ⚠️
  • Connection Error (with "Credentials expired" subtext) - Has issues with provider credentials ❌
  • Disabled - You haven't enabled it yet ⚪

Description - What the MCP server does and who it's for

Finding the Right MCP Server​

Search by name or tool​

Use the search box at the top to find MCP servers:

"email" → Shows MCP servers with email tools
"github" → Shows MCP servers with GitHub integration
"marketing" → Shows all marketing-related MCP servers

Search matches:

  • MCP server names
  • Tool names
  • Provider names
  • Descriptions

Filter by Category​

Use the category dropdown to narrow results:

Popular Categories:

  • Marketing & Sales - Email, CRM, outreach tools
  • Developer Tools - Code, CI/CD, version control
  • Content Creation - AI generation, design, media
  • Collaboration - Chat, project management, docs
  • Analytics & Insights - Data analysis, reporting
  • E-commerce - Payment, inventory, shipping

All 35+ categories available in the dropdown.

Filter by Status​

Use the status filter to see:

  • All MCP servers - Everything in Discover
  • Enabled - MCP servers you've activated
  • Disabled - MCP servers you haven't enabled yet

Evaluating an MCP server​

Before enabling an MCP server, understand what's required:

1. Click on an MCP server card​

Opens the MCP server detail page showing:

Overview Section:

  • Full description
  • Use cases
  • Example prompts to try

Tools List:

  • All tools included
  • What each tool does
  • Input parameters required

Providers List:

  • Services the MCP server uses
  • Your connection status for each
  • Which credentials are needed

2. Check provider requirements​

Look at the "Required Providers" section:

Status indicators:

  • Connected - You have valid credentials
  • Not Connected - Need to add credentials
  • Error - Credentials failed validation

Example:

Marketing Automation MCP server requires:
Smartlead (Connected)
Resend (Not Connected)
Google Analytics (Connected)

This MCP server shows "Setup Required" - Smartlead and Google tools work, but Resend tools are hidden until you connect Resend.

3. Review Tool List​

See all tools you'll get access to:

Tool cards show:

  • Tool name (e.g., smartlead_list_campaigns)
  • Description
  • Input parameters
  • Provider it belongs to

Questions to ask:

  • Do I need all these tools?
  • Are there any tools I'll actually use?
  • Would a smaller, focused MCP server be better?
tip

The 50-Tool Problem: Your AI gets confused with too many tools. Choose MCP servers with tools you'll actually use, not "everything just in case."

Enabling an MCP server​

Once you've evaluated an MCP server and are ready to use it:

Step 1: Enable the MCP server​

  1. On the MCP server detail page, click Enable in the header
  2. MCP server status changes from "Disabled" to:
    • "Ready" (with "Credentials valid" subtext) if all providers connected and verified
    • "Setup Required" if providers need credentials
    • "Connection Error" if credentials are expired or invalid

Step 2: Connect Missing Providers​

If the MCP server shows "Setup Required" or "Connection Error":

  1. Scroll to the "Credentials" section
  2. For each provider card marked "Not configured" or showing "Error" badge:
    • Click "Add Credential" (or "Edit" if credential exists) on the provider card
    • Complete OAuth or enter API key in the credential panel
    • Select a validation tool and click "Validate Now"
  3. Return to the MCP server page
  4. Status should update to "Ready" with "Credentials valid" subtext

See Setting Up Credentials for detailed instructions.

Step 3: Use the MCP server in your AI​

Once enabled with all credentials verified:

  1. The MCP server is immediately available
  2. All its tools appear in your AI
  3. You can start using them in conversations

See Connecting Your AI for setup instructions.

Managing your MCP servers​

Viewing enabled MCP servers​

Go to MCP Servers → Connected tab (your enabled MCP servers)

You'll see:

  • All MCP servers you've enabled
  • Current status of each
  • Quick actions (disable, configure, test)

Disabling an MCP server​

To temporarily stop using an MCP server:

  1. Go to the MCP server detail page
  2. Click Turn off
  3. Tools immediately disappear from your AI
  4. Credentials stay connected (can re-enable anytime)

When to disable:

  • Testing different MCP servers
  • Reducing tool count for your AI
  • Finished with a project that needed those tools
  • Want to simplify your setup

Re-enabling an MCP server​

  1. Go to MCP Servers → Discover tab
  2. Find the disabled MCP server
  3. Click Enable again
  4. Tools reappear immediately (if providers still connected)

MCP server readiness states​

Understanding MCP server status helps you know what's available:

Ready (with "Credentials valid" subtext)​

Meaning:

  • All providers connected and verified
  • All tools available to your AI
  • Everything works

Action needed: None, start using it!

Setup Required (with "Connect provider accounts" subtext)​

Meaning:

  • Missing some or all provider credentials
  • Tools are hidden until you add credentials
  • Partial functionality if some providers are connected

Example:

Marketing MCP server (Setup Required):
Smartlead tools work (credential verified)
Resend tools hidden (no credential)
Google Analytics tools work (credential verified)

Action needed: Connect missing providers for full functionality.

Blocked​

Meaning:

  • No providers connected
  • Zero tools available
  • Needs setup

Action needed: Connect ALL required providers.

Disabled​

Meaning:

  • You haven't enabled this MCP server yet
  • Tools not available to your AI
  • No credentials required yet

Action needed: Enable the MCP server if you want to use it.

Choosing the right MCP servers​

Start Small​

For beginners:

  1. Enable 1-2 MCP servers to start
  2. Focus on your most common tasks
  3. Add more as you get comfortable

Why?

  • Easier to learn what tools do
  • Less overwhelming for your AI
  • Better performance

Use the Hub for Everything​

Instead of configuring multiple MCP server URLs in your AI client, consider using the Hub endpoint. The Hub aggregates all your enabled MCP servers into a single MCP URL with dynamic tool discovery. Enable and disable MCP servers freely — the Hub picks up changes automatically.

Combine Wisely​

Good combinations:

  • Marketing + Analytics
  • Developer Tools + Project Management
  • Content Creation + Social Media

Avoid:

  • Enabling every MCP server "just in case"
  • Overlapping tools (e.g., 3 different email MCP servers)
  • Unrelated workflows (confuses your AI)

Consider Your Workflow​

Questions to ask:

  • What tasks do I do most often?
  • Which services do I already use?
  • What credentials do I already have?
  • What would save me the most time?

Example: If you're a marketer who uses Smartlead and HubSpot daily, start with the "Marketing Automation" MCP server. Add "Analytics" MCP server later if needed.

Custom MCP servers​

Can't find the right MCP server? Create your own!

Custom MCP servers let you:

  • Pick exactly the tools you need
  • Combine tools from different providers
  • Create project-specific MCP servers
  • In a team workspace, MCP servers you create are automatically available to all members

See Creating custom MCP servers for step-by-step instructions.

MCP servers vs. individual tools​

Should you use MCP servers or enable individual tools?

Use MCP servers when:​

  • You need multiple related tools
  • Common workflow (marketing, dev, etc.)
  • Want curated, tested combinations
  • Getting started with MCPBundles

Use individual tools when:​

  • Need just 1-2 specific tools
  • Very specialized use case
  • Want minimal tool count for your AI
  • Creating custom MCP servers

Most users start with 1-2 curated MCP servers, then create custom MCP servers as they learn what they need.

Troubleshooting​

MCP server won't enable​

Possible causes:

  1. Backend error

    • Fix: Refresh page and try again
    • If persists, contact support

  2. Permission issue

    • Fix: Make sure you're logged in
    • Check your account status

MCP server stuck on "Setup Required"​

Cause: No providers connected or credentials need verification.

Fix:

  1. Scroll to the "Credentials" section
  2. For each provider card marked "Not configured", click "Add Credential"
  3. Add credentials in the credential panel and validate
  4. MCP server status will update to "Ready" with "Credentials valid" subtext

"Setup Required" Not Updating​

Cause: Providers connected but not validated.

Fix:

  1. Go to Settings → Credentials
  2. Find each provider
  3. Make sure credentials show "VERIFIED" status
  4. If "UNVERIFIED", run validation
  5. Return to the MCP server page (should update)

Tools Not Appearing in AI​

Possible causes:

  1. MCP server not enabled

    • Fix: Enable it in the dashboard

  2. Providers not connected or verified

    • Fix: The MCP server must show "Ready" status with "Credentials valid" subtext

  3. AI not configured

  4. AI needs restart

    • Fix: Quit and reopen your AI client

Best Practices​

MCP server selection​

DO:

  • Start with 1-2 relevant MCP servers
  • Enable MCP servers for tools you actually use
  • Review tool lists before enabling
  • Connect all providers for full functionality
  • Disable MCP servers you're not using

DON'T:

  • Enable every MCP server available
  • Leave MCP servers in "Setup Required" state without connecting providers
  • Enable overlapping MCP servers with duplicate tools
  • Ignore credential validation warnings

Credential Management​

  • Connect providers BEFORE enabling MCP servers
  • Validate all credentials immediately
  • Keep credentials up to date
  • Re-validate if MCP server status changes to "Error"

Performance​

  • Fewer MCP servers = faster AI responses
  • Focus on quality over quantity
  • Disable unused MCP servers to reduce load
  • Create custom MCP servers to minimize tool count

Next Steps​

Need Help?​