Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers extend AI assistants like Claude with real-world capabilities. Here are the 10 most useful MCP servers every developer should know about.

What Makes a Great MCP Server?

We evaluated servers based on:

Usefulness: Solves real problems in daily workflows
Reliability: Works consistently without errors
Documentation: Easy to set up and understand
Active maintenance: Regular updates and bug fixes

1. GitHub MCP Server

Best for: Repository management, code review, issue tracking

The GitHub MCP server lets Claude read repositories, create issues and PRs, review code, and access commit history.

"github": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
  "env": { "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_xxx" }
}

2. Supabase MCP Server

Best for: Database queries, user management, real-time data

Enables Claude to query tables, manage authentication, access storage, and run SQL.

"supabase": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@supabase/mcp-server"],
  "env": { "SUPABASE_URL": "https://xxx.supabase.co", "SUPABASE_SERVICE_ROLE_KEY": "xxx" }
}

3. Playwright MCP Server

Best for: Browser automation, web scraping, testing

Gives Claude the power to navigate URLs, click buttons, fill forms, and take screenshots.

"playwright": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp-server"]
}

4. Filesystem MCP Server

Best for: File management, code editing, document access

Allows Claude to read, write, create, and search files and directories.

"filesystem": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/directory"]
}

5. Notion MCP Server

Best for: Documentation, knowledge base, project management

Enables Claude to read and create Notion pages, query databases, and update content.

"notion": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@notionhq/mcp-server"],
  "env": { "NOTION_API_KEY": "secret_xxx" }
}

6. Slack MCP Server

Best for: Team communication, notifications, workflow automation

Lets Claude send and read messages, search conversations, and post to channels.

"slack": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-slack"],
  "env": { "SLACK_BOT_TOKEN": "xoxb-xxx", "SLACK_TEAM_ID": "Txxx" }
}

7. PostgreSQL MCP Server

Best for: Database administration, data analysis, migrations

Provides SQL query execution, schema introspection, and data manipulation.

"postgres": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres"],
  "env": { "POSTGRES_CONNECTION_STRING": "postgresql://user:pass@host:5432/db" }
}

8. Brave Search MCP Server

Best for: Web research, fact-checking, current information

Enables web search with privacy, news search, and current information retrieval.

"brave-search": {
  "command": "uvx",
  "args": ["mcp-server-brave-search"],
  "env": { "BRAVE_API_KEY": "xxx" }
}

9. Google Drive MCP Server

Best for: Document management, collaboration, cloud storage

Allows reading and creating documents, file sharing, and folder organization.

"gdrive": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-gdrive"],
  "env": { "GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID": "xxx", "GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET": "xxx" }
}

10. Figma MCP Server

Best for: Design-to-code, asset extraction, design system management

Enables reading Figma designs, extracting tokens, and generating code from designs.

"figma": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@anthropic/mcp-server-figma"],
  "env": { "FIGMA_ACCESS_TOKEN": "xxx" }
}

How to Test These Servers

Before adding any server to your Claude Desktop or Cursor config, test it with MCP Playground to ensure it works correctly.

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Setting Up Multiple Servers

You can run all these servers simultaneously. See our guides:

Ready to test these servers? Try MCP Playground →

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