What is an MCP server?

Short answer

An MCP server is a program that exposes tools, data, or actions to an AI client through the Model Context Protocol. Clients (Cursor, Claude, VS Code, custom agents) connect to it so the model can use real systems — files, APIs, browsers, tickets — under whatever permissions that server implements.

Why installs are a trust decision

Connecting a server is closer to installing a plugin with credentials than bookmarking a website. A malicious or abandoned server can leak data, run unexpected tools, or simply break your agent loop.

What the census checks

We do not replace reading the server’s code. We publish public evidence: registry identity, repo/package health, hosted endpoint liveness, collisions, and a scored factor trail. Start at lookup.

What this is not

Not a full security audit. Not an endorsement of any vendor.