XanoScript for MCP Servers

Introduction

The mcp_server primitive lets you define MCP servers using XanoScript. Each MCP server corresponds to a collection of tools that an AI agent can access to perform specific tasks with your Xano backend — expressed in code. MCP servers will typically:

Declare their name and description
Include instructions for the AI agent
Reference existing tools in your workspace
Support tagging for organization

Anatomy

Every XanoScript MCP server follows a predictable structure. Unlike other primitives, MCP servers are not split into multiple sections. Instead, they have a single block that contains all of the information needed to define the server. Here’s an example of a fully defined MCP server in XanoScript:

XanoScript

// Handles basic database operations
mcp_server "My MCP Server" {
  canonical = "-T6UaAe0"
  instructions = "This MCP server is designed to handle basic database operations, such as retrieving, updating, adding, and deleting records. Process user queries with the available tools to complete their request to the best of your ability. Do not assume anything about the operation the user is requesting; ask for clarification before execution if necessary."
  tags = ["database"]
  tools = [{name: "get_user_record"}]
}

Parameter definition

Parameter	Required	Description
`description`	no	A short summary of the mcp server. May also appear as a “//” comment above the block.
`instructions`	no	Instructions for LLMs using the server. While this field is not required, it is strongly encouraged to be used to help LLMs understand the server and its purpose.
		Example: `instructions = "This MCP server is designed to handle basic database operations, such as retrieving, updating, adding, and deleting records. Process user queries with the available tools to complete their request to the best of your ability. Do not assume anything about the operation the user is requesting; ask for clarification before execution if necessary."`
`tags`	no	A list of tags used to categorize and organize the server in your workspace.
		Example: `tags = ["database"]`
`tools`	✅	A list of tools that the server will reference.
		Example: `tools = [{name: "get_user_record"}]`

What’s Next

Now that you understand how to define MCP servers in XanoScript, here are a few great next steps:

Learn about AI Tools

Create the tools that your MCP server will reference and make available to AI agents.

Try it out in VS Code

Use the XanoScript VS Code extension with Copilot to write XanoScript in your favorite IDE.

Start

AI

References

Introduction

Anatomy

Parameter definition

What’s Next

Learn about AI Tools

Try it out in VS Code

​Introduction

​Anatomy

​Parameter definition

​What’s Next

Learn about AI Tools

Try it out in VS Code

Introduction

Anatomy

Parameter definition

What’s Next