Content
# RMCP
[](https://crates.io/crates/rmcp)
[](https://docs.rs/rmcp/latest/rmcp)
[](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/rust-sdk/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
[](LICENSE)
An official Rust Model Context Protocol SDK implementation with tokio async runtime.
> **Migrating to 3.x?** See the [migration guide](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/rust-sdk/discussions/969) for breaking changes and upgrade instructions.
This repository contains the following crates:
- [rmcp](crates/rmcp): The core crate providing the RMCP protocol implementation - see [rmcp](crates/rmcp/README.md)
- [rmcp-macros](crates/rmcp-macros): A procedural macro crate for generating RMCP tool implementations - see [rmcp-macros](crates/rmcp-macros/README.md)
This SDK implements the stable MCP **`2026-07-28`** specification while
remaining fully compatible with the **`2025-11-25`** release and earlier
versions. Features introduced in `2026-07-28` — server discovery & negotiation,
transport-neutral subscriptions, long-running tasks, response caching,
multi-round-trip requests, and standard HTTP routing headers — are documented
below. For the full MCP specification, see
[modelcontextprotocol.io](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28).
## Table of Contents
- [Usage](#usage)
- [Tools](#tools)
- [Resources](#resources)
- [Prompts](#prompts)
- [Sampling](#sampling)
- [Elicitation](#elicitation)
- [Roots](#roots)
- [Logging](#logging)
- [Completions](#completions)
- [Notifications](#notifications)
- [Subscriptions](#subscriptions)
- [Multi-Round-Trip Requests](#multi-round-trip-requests)
- [Tasks](#tasks-long-running-tool-invocations)
- [Caching](#caching)
- [Standard HTTP Headers](#standard-http-headers)
- [Stateless Streamable HTTP](#stateless-streamable-http)
- [Transports](#transports)
- [Pagination](#pagination)
- [Capability & Protocol Version Negotiation](#capability--protocol-version-negotiation)
- [JSON Schema 2020-12](#json-schema-2020-12)
- [Examples](#examples)
- [OAuth Support](#oauth-support)
- [Related Resources](#related-resources)
- [Related Projects](#related-projects)
- [Development](#development)
## Usage
### Import the crate
Add the latest published version with cargo:
```sh
cargo add rmcp --features server
```
Or use the dev channel:
```sh
cargo add rmcp --features server --git https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/rust-sdk --branch main
```
### Third Dependencies
Basic dependencies:
- [tokio](https://github.com/tokio-rs/tokio)
- [serde](https://github.com/serde-rs/serde)
Json Schema generation (version 2020-12):
- [schemars](https://github.com/GREsau/schemars)
### Build a Client
<details>
<summary>Start a client</summary>
```rust, ignore
use rmcp::{ServiceExt, transport::{TokioChildProcess, ConfigureCommandExt}};
use tokio::process::Command;
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let client = ().serve(TokioChildProcess::new(Command::new("npx").configure(|cmd| {
cmd.arg("-y").arg("@modelcontextprotocol/server-everything");
}))?).await?;
Ok(())
}
```
</details>
### Client lifecycle modes
`serve()` uses the legacy MCP lifecycle: the client sends `initialize`, receives
the negotiated server information, and then sends `notifications/initialized`.
Use [`ClientServiceExt::serve_with_lifecycle`](crates/rmcp/src/service/client.rs) to
select another lifecycle explicitly:
```rust, ignore
use rmcp::{ClientLifecycleMode, ClientServiceExt, ProtocolVersion, model::ClientConfig};
// Start directly with server/discover and include client metadata on every request.
let client = ClientConfig::default()
.serve_with_lifecycle(
transport,
ClientLifecycleMode::Discover {
preferred_versions: vec![ProtocolVersion::V_2026_07_28],
},
)
.await?;
// Or probe the discover lifecycle and fall back when a legacy server reports
// that server/discover is not implemented or does not respond within 10 seconds.
let client = ClientConfig::default()
.serve_with_lifecycle(
transport,
ClientLifecycleMode::Auto {
preferred_versions: vec![ProtocolVersion::V_2026_07_28],
legacy_version: Some(ProtocolVersion::V_2025_11_25),
},
)
.await?;
```
`ClientLifecycleMode::Initialize` is equivalent to the existing `serve()` behavior.
Discover startup does not send `notifications/initialized`; discovery completes
startup, and each subsequent request carries its protocol version, client
information, and capabilities in `_meta`.
### Build a Server
<details>
<summary>Build a transport</summary>
```rust, ignore
use tokio::io::{stdin, stdout};
let transport = (stdin(), stdout());
```
</details>
<details>
<summary>Build a service</summary>
You can easily build a service by using [`ServerHandler`](crates/rmcp/src/handler/server.rs) or [`ClientHandler`](crates/rmcp/src/handler/client.rs).
```rust, ignore
let service = common::counter::Counter::new();
```
</details>
<details>
<summary>Start the server</summary>
```rust, ignore
// this call will finish the initialization process
let server = service.serve(transport).await?;
```
</details>
<details>
<summary>Interact with the server</summary>
Once the server is initialized, you can send requests or notifications:
```rust, ignore
// request
let roots = server.list_roots().await?;
// or send notification
server.notify_cancelled(...).await?;
```
</details>
<details>
<summary>Waiting for service shutdown</summary>
```rust, ignore
let quit_reason = server.waiting().await?;
// or cancel it
let quit_reason = server.cancel().await?;
```
</details>
---
## Tools
Tools let servers expose callable functions to clients. Each tool has a name, description, and a JSON Schema for its parameters. Clients discover tools via `list_tools` and invoke them via `call_tool`.
**MCP Spec:** [Tools](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/tools)
### Server-side
The `#[tool]`, `#[tool_router]`, and `#[tool_handler]` macros handle all the wiring. For a tools-only server you can use `#[tool_router(server_handler)]` to skip the separate `ServerHandler` impl:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::{handler::server::wrapper::Parameters, schemars, tool, tool_router, ServiceExt, transport::stdio};
#[derive(Debug, serde::Deserialize, schemars::JsonSchema)]
struct AddParams {
a: i32,
b: i32,
}
#[derive(Clone)]
struct Calculator;
#[tool_router(server_handler)]
impl Calculator {
#[tool(description = "Add two numbers")]
fn add(&self, Parameters(AddParams { a, b }): Parameters<AddParams>) -> String {
(a + b).to_string()
}
}
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
let service = Calculator.serve(stdio()).await?;
service.waiting().await?;
Ok(())
}
```
The generated tool `inputSchema` and `outputSchema` are derived from the fields of `T`. The type name and documentation on `T` are ignored; only field names, field types, and field documentation are used.
> **`2026-07-28` (SEP-2106):** `outputSchema` may now be any JSON Schema type
> (not just `object`), and a tool result's `structuredContent` may be any JSON
> value (string, array, number, …) rather than only an object. Existing
> object-typed tools are unaffected.
When you need custom server metadata or multiple capabilities (tools + prompts), use explicit `#[tool_handler]`:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::{handler::server::wrapper::Parameters, schemars, tool, tool_router, tool_handler, ServerHandler, ServiceExt};
#[derive(Debug, serde::Deserialize, schemars::JsonSchema)]
struct AddParams {
a: i32,
b: i32,
}
#[derive(Clone)]
struct Calculator;
#[tool_router]
impl Calculator {
#[tool(description = "Add two numbers")]
fn add(&self, Parameters(AddParams { a, b }): Parameters<AddParams>) -> String {
(a + b).to_string()
}
}
#[tool_handler(name = "calculator", version = "1.0.0", instructions = "A simple calculator")]
impl ServerHandler for Calculator {}
```
See [`crates/rmcp-macros`](crates/rmcp-macros/README.md) for full macro documentation.
#### Tool result content types
Beyond a plain `String`, tools can return images, audio, embedded resources, and
mixed content. Build a `CallToolResult` from a `Vec<ContentBlock>`:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::{CallToolResult, ContentBlock, ResourceContents};
#[tool(description = "Render a chart")]
async fn chart(&self) -> Result<CallToolResult, McpError> {
let png_base64 = render_png(); // base64-encoded image bytes
let wav_base64 = render_wav(); // base64-encoded audio bytes
Ok(CallToolResult::success(vec![
// Text
ContentBlock::text("Here is your chart:"),
// Image — base64 data + MIME type
ContentBlock::image(png_base64, "image/png"),
// Audio — base64 data + MIME type
ContentBlock::audio(wav_base64, "audio/wav"),
// Embedded resource — inline text (or ResourceContents::blob for binary)
ContentBlock::resource(ResourceContents::text(
"chart source data",
"chart://last/data.csv",
)),
]))
}
# fn render_png() -> String { String::new() }
# fn render_wav() -> String { String::new() }
```
Image and audio data are base64 strings with a MIME type. For embedded
resources, `ResourceContents::text(..)` inlines text and
`ResourceContents::blob(base64, uri)` inlines binary.
#### Error handling
Two failure modes, chosen by **whose problem it is**:
- **Tool-level error** — `Ok(CallToolResult::error(vec![...]))`. The tool ran but
failed in a way the caller should see (no rows matched, upstream 500). The
client renders your `content`, so the message reaches the user. Use this for
almost every "the tool ran and didn't work" case.
- **Protocol error** — `Err(McpError)` with a JSON-RPC code (e.g.
`McpError::invalid_params(..)`). Use this when the server can't route or process
the request at all; clients render these opaquely, so the caller does **not**
see your message.
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::{CallToolResult, ContentBlock};
use rmcp::ErrorData as McpError;
#[tool(description = "Look up a record")]
async fn lookup(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<LookupArgs>) -> Result<CallToolResult, McpError> {
// Malformed request — the server can't run anything → protocol error.
if args.query.is_empty() {
return Err(McpError::invalid_params("query must be non-empty", None));
}
// Tool ran, no result → tool-level error the user should see.
let rows = self.run_query(&args.query).await;
if rows.is_empty() {
return Ok(CallToolResult::error(vec![ContentBlock::text(
format!("no rows matched '{}'", args.query),
)]));
}
Ok(CallToolResult::success(vec![ContentBlock::text(format_rows(&rows))]))
}
```
### Client-side
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::CallToolRequestParams;
// List all tools
let tools = client.list_all_tools().await?;
// Call a tool by name
let result = client.call_tool(CallToolRequestParams::new("add")).await?;
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/common/calculator.rs`](examples/servers/src/common/calculator.rs) (server), [`examples/servers/src/calculator_stdio.rs`](examples/servers/src/calculator_stdio.rs) (stdio runner)
---
## Resources
Resources let servers expose data (files, database records, API responses) that clients can read. Each resource is identified by a URI and returns content as text or binary (base64-encoded) data. Resource templates allow servers to declare URI patterns with dynamic parameters.
**MCP Spec:** [Resources](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/resources)
### Server-side
Implement `list_resources()`, `read_resource()`, and optionally `list_resource_templates()` on the `ServerHandler` trait. Enable the resources capability in `get_info()`.
```rust
use rmcp::{
ErrorData as McpError, RoleServer, ServerHandler, ServiceExt,
model::*,
service::RequestContext,
transport::stdio,
};
use serde_json::json;
#[derive(Clone)]
struct MyServer;
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
fn get_info(&self) -> ServerConfig {
ServerConfig::new(
ServerCapabilities::builder()
.enable_resources()
.build(),
)
}
async fn list_resources(
&self,
_request: Option<PaginatedRequestParams>,
_context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<ListResourcesResult, McpError> {
Ok(ListResourcesResult {
resources: vec![
Resource::new("file:///config.json", "config"),
Resource::new("memo://insights", "insights"),
],
next_cursor: None,
meta: None,
})
}
async fn read_resource(
&self,
request: ReadResourceRequestParams,
_context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<ReadResourceResult, McpError> {
match request.uri.as_str() {
"file:///config.json" => Ok(ReadResourceResult::new(vec![
ResourceContents::text(r#"{"key": "value"}"#, &request.uri),
])),
"memo://insights" => Ok(ReadResourceResult::new(vec![
ResourceContents::text("Analysis results...", &request.uri),
])),
// Binary resource — base64-encode the bytes and return a blob.
"file:///logo.png" => {
use base64::{Engine, prelude::BASE64_STANDARD};
let bytes = std::fs::read("logo.png").unwrap_or_default();
let blob = BASE64_STANDARD.encode(bytes);
Ok(ReadResourceResult::new(vec![
ResourceContents::blob(blob, &request.uri)
.with_mime_type("image/png"),
]))
}
// Template-expanded URI — the client fills in `{user_id}` from the
// `users://{user_id}/profile` template declared in
// `list_resource_templates`, and the server reads the concrete URI.
uri if uri.starts_with("users://") && uri.ends_with("/profile") => {
let user_id = uri
.trim_start_matches("users://")
.trim_end_matches("/profile");
Ok(ReadResourceResult::new(vec![ResourceContents::text(
format!(r#"{{"id": "{user_id}", "name": "User {user_id}"}}"#),
uri,
)]))
}
_ => Err(McpError::resource_not_found(
"resource_not_found",
Some(json!({ "uri": request.uri })),
)),
}
}
async fn list_resource_templates(
&self,
_request: Option<PaginatedRequestParams>,
_context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<ListResourceTemplatesResult, McpError> {
// Declare a URI template with a `{user_id}` parameter. Clients expand it
// (e.g. `users://42/profile`) and pass the concrete URI to `read_resource`.
Ok(ListResourceTemplatesResult {
resource_templates: vec![
ResourceTemplate::new("users://{user_id}/profile", "user-profile"),
],
next_cursor: None,
meta: None,
})
}
}
```
### Client-side
```rust
use rmcp::model::{ReadResourceRequestParams};
// List all resources (handles pagination automatically)
let resources = client.list_all_resources().await?;
// Read a specific resource by URI
let result = client.read_resource(
ReadResourceRequestParams::new("file:///config.json"),
).await?;
// List resource templates, then read a resource through one by expanding its
// parameters into a concrete URI (`users://{user_id}/profile` → `users://42/profile`).
let templates = client.list_all_resource_templates().await?;
let profile = client.read_resource(
ReadResourceRequestParams::new("users://42/profile"),
).await?;
```
### Notifications
Servers can notify clients when the resource list changes or when a specific resource is updated:
```rust
// Notify that the resource list has changed (clients should re-fetch)
context.peer.notify_resource_list_changed().await?;
// Notify that a specific resource was updated
context.peer.notify_resource_updated(
ResourceUpdatedNotificationParam::new("file:///config.json"),
).await?;
```
Clients handle these via `ClientHandler`:
```rust
impl ClientHandler for MyClient {
async fn on_resource_list_changed(
&self,
_context: NotificationContext<RoleClient>,
) {
// Re-fetch the resource list
}
async fn on_resource_updated(
&self,
params: ResourceUpdatedNotificationParam,
_context: NotificationContext<RoleClient>,
) {
// Re-read the updated resource at params.uri
}
}
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/common/counter.rs`](examples/servers/src/common/counter.rs) (server), [`examples/clients/src/everything_stdio.rs`](examples/clients/src/everything_stdio.rs) (client)
---
## Prompts
Prompts are reusable message templates that servers expose to clients. They accept typed arguments and return conversation messages. The `#[prompt]` macro handles argument validation and routing automatically.
**MCP Spec:** [Prompts](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/prompts)
### Server-side
Use the `#[prompt_router]`, `#[prompt]`, and `#[prompt_handler]` macros to define prompts declaratively. Arguments are defined as structs deriving `JsonSchema`.
```rust
use rmcp::{
ErrorData as McpError, RoleServer, ServerHandler, ServiceExt,
handler::server::{router::prompt::PromptRouter, wrapper::Parameters},
model::*,
prompt, prompt_handler, prompt_router,
schemars::JsonSchema,
service::RequestContext,
transport::stdio,
};
use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
pub struct CodeReviewArgs {
#[schemars(description = "Programming language of the code")]
pub language: String,
#[schemars(description = "Focus areas for the review")]
pub focus_areas: Option<Vec<String>>,
}
#[derive(Clone)]
pub struct MyServer {
prompt_router: PromptRouter<Self>,
}
#[prompt_router]
impl MyServer {
fn new() -> Self {
Self { prompt_router: Self::prompt_router() }
}
/// Simple prompt without parameters
#[prompt(name = "greeting", description = "A simple greeting")]
async fn greeting(&self) -> Vec<PromptMessage> {
vec![PromptMessage::new_text(
Role::User,
"Hello! How can you help me today?",
)]
}
/// Prompt with typed arguments
#[prompt(name = "code_review", description = "Review code in a given language")]
async fn code_review(
&self,
Parameters(args): Parameters<CodeReviewArgs>,
) -> Result<GetPromptResult, McpError> {
let focus = args.focus_areas
.unwrap_or_else(|| vec!["correctness".into()]);
Ok(GetPromptResult::new(vec![
PromptMessage::new_text(
Role::User,
format!("Review my {} code. Focus on: {}", args.language, focus.join(", ")),
),
])
.with_description(format!("Code review for {}", args.language)))
}
}
#[prompt_handler]
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
fn get_info(&self) -> ServerConfig {
ServerConfig::new(ServerCapabilities::builder().enable_prompts().build())
}
}
```
Prompt functions support several return types:
- `Vec<PromptMessage>` -- simple message list
- `GetPromptResult` -- messages with an optional description
- `Result<T, McpError>` -- either of the above, with error handling
#### Image and embedded-resource content
A `PromptMessage` can also carry an image or embedded resource. Use the
dedicated constructors (image/audio require the `base64` feature):
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::{PromptMessage, Role};
// Image content — raw bytes are base64-encoded for you.
let screenshot: &[u8] = load_png();
let msg = PromptMessage::new_image(Role::User, screenshot, "image/png", None, None);
// Embedded resource — inline a text resource by URI. Pass `Some(text)` for a
// text resource, or `None` for a blob resource.
let msg = PromptMessage::new_resource(
Role::User,
"file:///spec.md".to_string(),
Some("text/markdown".to_string()),
Some("# Specification\n...".to_string()),
None, None, None,
);
# fn load_png() -> &'static [u8] { &[] }
```
### Client-side
```rust
use rmcp::model::GetPromptRequestParams;
// List all prompts
let prompts = client.list_all_prompts().await?;
// Get a prompt with arguments
let result = client.get_prompt(GetPromptRequestParams {
meta: None,
name: "code_review".into(),
arguments: Some(rmcp::object!({
"language": "Rust",
"focus_areas": ["performance", "safety"]
})),
}).await?;
```
### Notifications
```rust
// Server: notify that available prompts have changed
context.peer.notify_prompt_list_changed().await?;
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/prompt_stdio.rs`](examples/servers/src/prompt_stdio.rs) (server), [`examples/clients/src/everything_stdio.rs`](examples/clients/src/everything_stdio.rs) (client)
---
## Sampling
> **Deprecated (SEP-2577):** Sampling is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. It remains fully functional for now. See [SEP-2577](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol/pull/2577).
Sampling flips the usual direction: the server asks the client to run an LLM completion. The server sends a `create_message` request, the client processes it through its LLM, and returns the result.
**MCP Spec:** [Sampling](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/client/sampling)
### Server-side (requesting sampling)
Access the client's sampling capability through `context.peer.create_message()`:
```rust
use rmcp::model::*;
// Inside a ServerHandler method (e.g., call_tool):
let response = context.peer.create_message(
CreateMessageRequestParams::new(
vec![SamplingMessage::user_text("Explain this error: connection refused")],
150,
)
.with_model_preferences(
ModelPreferences::new()
.with_hints(vec![ModelHint::new("claude")])
.with_cost_priority(0.3)
.with_speed_priority(0.8)
.with_intelligence_priority(0.7),
)
.with_system_prompt("You are a helpful assistant.")
.with_include_context(ContextInclusion::None)
.with_temperature(0.7),
).await?;
// Extract the response text
let text = response.message.content
.first()
.and_then(|c| c.as_text())
.map(|t| &t.text);
```
### Client-side (handling sampling)
On the client side, implement `ClientHandler::create_message()`. This is where you'd call your actual LLM:
```rust
use rmcp::{ClientHandler, model::*, service::{RequestContext, RoleClient}};
#[derive(Clone, Default)]
struct MyClient;
impl ClientHandler for MyClient {
async fn create_message(
&self,
params: CreateMessageRequestParams,
_context: RequestContext<RoleClient>,
) -> Result<CreateMessageResult, ErrorData> {
// Forward to your LLM, or return a mock response:
let response_text = call_your_llm(¶ms.messages).await;
Ok(CreateMessageResult::new(
SamplingMessage::assistant_text(response_text),
"my-model".into(),
)
.with_stop_reason(CreateMessageResult::STOP_REASON_END_TURN))
}
}
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/sampling_stdio.rs`](examples/servers/src/sampling_stdio.rs) (server), [`examples/clients/src/sampling_stdio.rs`](examples/clients/src/sampling_stdio.rs) (client)
---
## Elicitation
Elicitation lets a server pause mid-operation to ask the user for input, in one
of two modes: **form mode** (structured fields with a JSON Schema) or **URL
mode** (send the user to a web page and wait for completion).
**MCP Spec:** [Elicitation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/client/elicitation)
### Server-side (form mode)
Define a struct deriving `JsonSchema`, mark it `elicit_safe!`, and call
`elicit::<T>()` on the peer. Schema validation, defaults, and enum choices all
come from the type.
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::{elicit_safe, model::*, service::{RequestContext, RoleServer}};
use schemars::JsonSchema;
use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
#[schemars(description = "User information")]
pub struct UserInfo {
#[schemars(description = "User's name")]
pub name: String,
// Optional field; omitted if the user doesn't provide it.
#[serde(default)]
#[schemars(description = "Preferred greeting")]
pub greeting: Option<String>,
}
// Whitelist the type for elicitation (schema-validated on both ends).
elicit_safe!(UserInfo);
#[tool(description = "Greet the user")]
async fn greet(&self, ctx: RequestContext<RoleServer>) -> Result<CallToolResult, McpError> {
// Returns Ok(Some(UserInfo)) if the user accepts.
// Decline and cancel are returned as ElicitationError variants.
match ctx.peer.elicit::<UserInfo>("Please provide your name").await {
Ok(Some(info)) => Ok(CallToolResult::success(vec![ContentBlock::text(
format!("Hello, {}!", info.name),
)])),
Ok(None) => Ok(CallToolResult::success(vec![ContentBlock::text(
"No name provided.",
)])),
Err(e) => Ok(CallToolResult::error(vec![ContentBlock::text(
format!("Elicitation failed: {e}"),
)])),
}
}
```
#### Enum values
Enum fields become a choice list. `schemars` needs two hints to inline and type
the enum correctly:
```rust,ignore
#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema, Default)]
#[schemars(inline)] // inline the enum into the parent schema
#[schemars(extend("type" = "string"))] // schemars omits `type` for enums; add it
enum Priority {
#[schemars(title = "Low priority")]
#[default]
Low,
#[schemars(title = "High priority")]
High,
}
```
See [`examples/servers/src/elicitation_enum_inference.rs`](examples/servers/src/elicitation_enum_inference.rs)
for single-select, multi-select, titled, and defaulted enum forms.
### Server-side (URL mode)
For flows a form can't capture (OAuth consent, a payment page), send the user to
a URL. `elicit_url` returns the user's `ElicitationAction` rather than typed data:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::ElicitationAction;
use url::Url;
let action = ctx.peer.elicit_url(
"Please complete setup in your browser",
Url::parse("https://example.com/setup").unwrap(),
"setup-123", // a unique elicitation id
).await?;
match action {
ElicitationAction::Accept => { /* user consented */ }
ElicitationAction::Decline => { /* user declined */ }
ElicitationAction::Cancel => { /* user aborted */ }
}
```
### Client-side
Implement `ClientHandler::create_elicitation()`, matching on the request variant
to handle form vs. URL mode:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::{ClientHandler, model::*, service::{RequestContext, RoleClient}};
impl ClientHandler for MyClient {
async fn create_elicitation(
&self,
request: ElicitRequestParams,
_context: RequestContext<RoleClient>,
) -> Result<ElicitResult, ErrorData> {
match request {
ElicitRequestParams::FormElicitationParams { message, .. } => {
// Show `message` + the requested schema, collect input, then:
Ok(ElicitResult {
action: ElicitationAction::Accept,
content: Some(rmcp::object!({ "name": "Ada" })),
meta: None,
})
}
ElicitRequestParams::UrlElicitationParams { url, .. } => {
// Open `url`, wait for the user, then report the action.
let _ = url;
Ok(ElicitResult { action: ElicitationAction::Accept, content: None, meta: None })
}
}
}
}
```
On completion the client sends a `notifications/elicitation/response`
notification to release the waiting server-side `elicit_url` call.
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/elicitation_stdio.rs`](examples/servers/src/elicitation_stdio.rs) (form + URL), [`examples/servers/src/elicitation_enum_inference.rs`](examples/servers/src/elicitation_enum_inference.rs) (enum forms)
---
## Roots
> **Deprecated (SEP-2577):** Roots is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. It remains fully functional for now. See [SEP-2577](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol/pull/2577).
Roots tell servers which directories or projects the client is working in. A root is a URI (typically `file://`) pointing to a workspace or repository. Servers can query roots to know where to look for files and how to scope their work.
**MCP Spec:** [Roots](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/client/roots)
### Server-side
Ask the client for its root list, and handle change notifications:
```rust
use rmcp::{ServerHandler, model::*, service::{NotificationContext, RoleServer}};
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
// Query the client for its roots
async fn call_tool(
&self,
request: CallToolRequestParams,
context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<CallToolResult, ErrorData> {
let roots = context.peer.list_roots().await?;
// Use roots.roots to understand workspace boundaries
// ...
}
// Called when the client's root list changes
async fn on_roots_list_changed(
&self,
_context: NotificationContext<RoleServer>,
) {
// Re-fetch roots to stay current
}
}
```
### Client-side
Clients declare roots capability and implement `list_roots()`:
```rust
use rmcp::{ClientHandler, model::*};
impl ClientHandler for MyClient {
async fn list_roots(
&self,
_context: RequestContext<RoleClient>,
) -> Result<ListRootsResult, ErrorData> {
Ok(ListRootsResult::new(vec![
Root::new("file:///home/user/project").with_name("My Project"),
]))
}
}
```
Clients notify the server when roots change:
```rust
// After adding or removing a workspace root:
client.notify_roots_list_changed().await?;
```
---
## Logging
> **Deprecated (SEP-2577):** Logging is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. It remains fully functional for now. See [SEP-2577](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol/pull/2577).
Servers can send structured log messages to clients. The client sets a minimum severity level, and the server sends messages through the peer notification interface.
**MCP Spec:** [Logging](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/utilities/logging)
### Server-side
Enable the logging capability, handle level changes from the client, and send log messages via the peer:
```rust
use rmcp::{ServerHandler, model::*, service::RequestContext};
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
fn get_info(&self) -> ServerConfig {
ServerConfig::new(
ServerCapabilities::builder()
.enable_logging()
.build(),
)
}
// Client sets the minimum log level
async fn set_level(
&self,
request: SetLevelRequestParams,
_context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<(), ErrorData> {
// Store request.level and filter future log messages accordingly
Ok(())
}
}
// Send a log message from any handler with access to the peer:
context.peer.notify_logging_message(
LoggingMessageNotificationParam::new(
LoggingLevel::Info,
serde_json::json!({
"message": "Processing completed",
"items_processed": 42
}),
)
.with_logger("my-server"),
).await?;
```
Available log levels (from least to most severe): `Debug`, `Info`, `Notice`, `Warning`, `Error`, `Critical`, `Alert`, `Emergency`.
### Client-side
Clients handle incoming log messages via `ClientHandler`:
```rust
impl ClientHandler for MyClient {
async fn on_logging_message(
&self,
params: LoggingMessageNotificationParam,
_context: NotificationContext<RoleClient>,
) {
println!("[{}] {}: {}", params.level,
params.logger.unwrap_or_default(), params.data);
}
}
```
Clients can also set the server's log level:
```rust
client.set_level(SetLevelRequestParams::new(LoggingLevel::Warning)).await?;
```
---
## Completions
Completions give auto-completion suggestions for prompt or resource template arguments. As a user fills in arguments, the client can ask the server for suggestions based on what's already been entered.
**MCP Spec:** [Completions](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/utilities/completion)
### Server-side
Enable the completions capability and implement the `complete()` handler. Use `request.context` to inspect previously filled arguments:
```rust
use rmcp::{ErrorData as McpError, ServerHandler, model::*, service::RequestContext, RoleServer};
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
fn get_info(&self) -> ServerConfig {
ServerConfig::new(
ServerCapabilities::builder()
.enable_completions()
.enable_prompts()
.build(),
)
}
async fn complete(
&self,
request: CompleteRequestParams,
_context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<CompleteResult, McpError> {
let values = match &request.r#ref {
// Completion for a prompt argument (`ref/prompt`).
Reference::Prompt(prompt_ref) if prompt_ref.name == "sql_query" => {
match request.argument.name.as_str() {
"operation" => vec!["SELECT", "INSERT", "UPDATE", "DELETE"],
"table" => vec!["users", "orders", "products"],
"columns" => {
// Adapt suggestions based on previously filled arguments
if let Some(ctx) = &request.context {
if let Some(op) = ctx.get_argument("operation") {
match op.to_uppercase().as_str() {
"SELECT" | "UPDATE" => {
vec!["id", "name", "email", "created_at"]
}
_ => vec![],
}
} else { vec![] }
} else { vec![] }
}
_ => vec![],
}
}
// Completion for a resource-template argument (`ref/resource`). The
// `uri` identifies the template (e.g. `users://{user_id}/profile`)
// and `argument.name` is the template variable being completed.
Reference::Resource(resource_ref)
if resource_ref.uri == "users://{user_id}/profile" =>
{
match request.argument.name.as_str() {
"user_id" => vec!["1", "2", "42"],
_ => vec![],
}
}
_ => vec![],
};
// Filter by the user's partial input
let filtered: Vec<String> = values.into_iter()
.map(String::from)
.filter(|v| v.to_lowercase().contains(&request.argument.value.to_lowercase()))
.collect();
let completion = CompletionInfo::with_pagination(filtered, None, false)
.map_err(|e| McpError::internal_error(e, None))?;
Ok(CompleteResult::new(completion))
}
}
```
### Client-side
```rust
use rmcp::model::*;
// Completion for a prompt argument.
let result = client.complete(CompleteRequestParams::new(
Reference::for_prompt("sql_query"),
ArgumentInfo::new("operation", "SEL"),
)).await?;
// result.completion.values contains suggestions like ["SELECT"]
// Completion for a resource-template argument: reference the template by URI
// and complete one of its variables (`user_id`).
let resource_completion = client.complete(CompleteRequestParams::new(
Reference::for_resource("users://{user_id}/profile"),
ArgumentInfo::new("user_id", "4"),
)).await?;
// resource_completion.completion.values contains suggestions like ["42"]
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/completion_stdio.rs`](examples/servers/src/completion_stdio.rs)
---
## Notifications
Notifications are fire-and-forget messages -- no response is expected. They cover progress updates, cancellation, and lifecycle events. Both sides can send and receive them.
**MCP Spec:** [Notifications](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic#notifications)
### Progress notifications
Servers can report progress during long-running operations:
```rust
use rmcp::model::*;
// Inside a tool handler:
for i in 0..total_items {
process_item(i).await;
context.peer.notify_progress(
ProgressNotificationParam::new(
ProgressToken(NumberOrString::Number(i as i64)),
i as f64,
)
.with_total(total_items as f64)
.with_message(format!("Processing item {}/{}", i + 1, total_items)),
).await?;
}
```
### Cancellation
Either side can cancel an in-progress request:
```rust
// Send a cancellation
context.peer.notify_cancelled(CancelledNotificationParam::new(
Some(the_request_id),
Some("User requested cancellation".into()),
)).await?;
```
Handle cancellation in `ServerHandler` or `ClientHandler`:
```rust
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
async fn on_cancelled(
&self,
params: CancelledNotificationParam,
_context: NotificationContext<RoleServer>,
) {
// Abort work for params.request_id
}
}
```
### Ping
Either side can send a `ping` request to check that its counterpart is still
responsive and the connection is alive. A ping carries no parameters and the
receiver replies with an empty result. Because pings can flow in both
directions, `rmcp` handles them symmetrically:
- **Sending a ping** — construct a `PingRequest` and send it over the peer.
A client pings the server with `ClientRequest::PingRequest`; a server pings
the client with `ServerRequest::PingRequest`. `send_request` resolves once the
empty response arrives, so a returned `Ok` confirms the peer is reachable:
```rust
use rmcp::model::{PingRequest, ServerRequest};
// From a server, ping the connected client to verify it is still alive.
context.peer
.send_request(ServerRequest::PingRequest(PingRequest::default()))
.await?;
```
```rust
use rmcp::model::{ClientRequest, PingRequest};
// From a client, ping the server. `running` is the value returned by serve().
running
.send_request(ClientRequest::PingRequest(PingRequest::default()))
.await?;
```
- **Responding to a ping** — `rmcp` answers incoming pings automatically. The
default `ping` method on `ServerHandler` and `ClientHandler` returns an empty
result, so no code is required. Override it only if you want to run custom
logic (for example, health checks) when a ping arrives:
```rust
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
async fn ping(
&self,
_context: RequestContext<RoleServer>,
) -> Result<(), McpError> {
// Custom liveness logic here, if any.
Ok(())
}
}
```
**MCP Spec:** [Ping](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-11-25/basic/utilities/ping)
### Initialized notification
Legacy clients send `initialized` after the `initialize` handshake completes.
Clients using `ClientLifecycleMode::Discover` do not send this notification:
```rust
// Sent automatically by rmcp during the legacy serve() handshake.
// Servers handle it via:
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
async fn on_initialized(
&self,
_context: NotificationContext<RoleServer>,
) {
// Server is ready to receive requests
}
}
```
### List-changed notifications
When available tools, prompts, or resources change, tell the client:
```rust
context.peer.notify_tool_list_changed().await?;
context.peer.notify_prompt_list_changed().await?;
context.peer.notify_resource_list_changed().await?;
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/common/progress_demo.rs`](examples/servers/src/common/progress_demo.rs)
---
## Subscriptions
Protocol `2026-07-28` replaces `resources/subscribe`, `resources/unsubscribe`, and
the standalone HTTP GET stream with the transport-neutral, long-lived
`subscriptions/listen` request. Each requested notification category is opt-in.
**MCP Spec:** [Subscriptions](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/patterns/subscriptions)
### Server-side
Declare the notification capabilities you serve, return the accepted subset,
and use the filter-enforcing subscription sink:
```rust
use rmcp::{
ErrorData, ServerHandler,
model::*,
service::SubscriptionContext,
};
impl ServerHandler for MyServer {
fn get_info(&self) -> ServerConfig {
ServerConfig::new(
ServerCapabilities::builder()
.enable_tools()
.enable_tool_list_changed()
.build(),
)
}
fn accepted_subscription_filter(
&self,
requested: &SubscriptionFilter,
) -> Option<SubscriptionFilter> {
Some(requested.clone())
}
async fn listen(&self, context: SubscriptionContext) -> Result<(), ErrorData> {
if context.accepted().tools_list_changed == Some(true) {
context.sink().notify_tool_list_changed().await
.map_err(|error| ErrorData::internal_error(error.to_string(), None))?;
}
context.cancelled().await;
Ok(())
}
}
```
The SDK intersects the handler's filter with the requested categories and the
capabilities advertised by `get_info()`. It sends the acknowledgment before
`listen`, tags every sink notification with the listen request ID, and rejects
categories or resource URIs outside the accepted filter.
### Client-side
```rust
use rmcp::model::*;
let mut subscription = client.listen(
SubscriptionFilter::builder()
.tools_list_changed()
.resource_subscription("file:///config.json")
.build(),
).await?;
println!("accepted: {:?}", subscription.acknowledged());
while let Some(notification) = subscription.next().await? {
println!("notification: {notification:?}");
}
subscription.cancel().await?;
```
`listen()` buffers up to 64 notifications per subscription. Use
`listen_with_capacity()` to choose a different non-zero capacity; if a consumer
falls behind, `Subscription::end()` reports `SubscriptionEnd::Lagged`.
For older negotiated protocol versions, the deprecated `subscribe()` and
`unsubscribe()` APIs retain their legacy wire behavior. Modern Streamable HTTP
uses the listen POST response stream directly and does not use sessions, GET,
DELETE, or `Last-Event-ID`. After an abrupt transport close, call `listen`
again; subscription state is not resumed across HTTP or stdio reconnects.
See the
[modern subscription server](examples/servers/src/subscriptions_streamhttp.rs)
and [client](examples/clients/src/subscriptions_streamhttp.rs) examples.
---
## Multi-Round-Trip Requests
Protocol `2026-07-28` adds Multi-Round-Trip Requests (MRTR, SEP-2322): a server
can answer a `tools/call`, `prompts/get`, or `resources/read` with an
`InputRequiredResult` instead of a final result, asking the client to fulfill
one or more embedded server requests (elicitation, sampling, or roots) and then
retry. The exchange is stateless — the server carries its progress in an opaque
`requestState` that the client echoes back verbatim.
**MCP Spec:** [Multiple Round-Trip Requests](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/tools#multiple-round-trip-requests)
### Server-side
Return an `InputRequiredResult` via the outcome enum for the method
(`CallToolResponse`, `GetPromptResponse`, or `ReadResourceResponse`). The SDK
only forwards it to peers that negotiated `2026-07-28` or newer — older peers
get a protocol error instead.
```rust, ignore
async fn call_tool(&self, request: CallToolRequestParams, _ctx: RequestContext<RoleServer>)
-> Result<CallToolResponse, ErrorData>
{
match request.request_state {
// First round: ask the client for input, seal progress into requestState.
None => {
let mut input_requests = InputRequests::new();
input_requests.insert("city".into(), InputRequest::Elicitation(elicit_city()));
let sealed = self.codec.seal_json(&json!({ "awaiting": "city" }))?;
Ok(InputRequiredResult::new(Some(input_requests), Some(sealed)).into())
}
// Retry round: verify the echoed state, read the responses, finish.
Some(sealed) => {
let _state = self.codec.open_json(&sealed)
.map_err(|_| ErrorData::invalid_params("tampered request state", None))?;
let city = request.input_responses.as_ref()
.and_then(|r| r.get("city"));
Ok(CallToolResult::success(vec![ContentBlock::text("It is sunny.")]).into())
}
}
}
```
> **`requestState` is untrusted.** [SEP-2322 requires servers to validate
> it](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/seps/2322-MRTR#protocol-requirements-for-ephemeral-workflow)
> because the client echoes it back verbatim. A stateless server that stores
> meaningful data in it MUST verify integrity first. Enable the `request-state`
> feature and use `RequestStateCodec` to seal and open it (HMAC-tagged), or keep
> state server-side and use `requestState` only as an opaque handle.
For multi-replica deployments, use `RequestStateCodec::new_with_keyring` to
rotate signing keys without invalidating in-flight requests:
1. Deploy the old and new keys everywhere, continuing to emit `rs1` with the
old key via `with_rs1_signing("old")`.
2. Start emitting `rs2` with the new key while retaining the old key via
`with_rs1_fallback("old")`.
3. After the maximum `requestState` lifetime has elapsed, remove the old key.
### Client-side
The high-level `call_tool`, `get_prompt`, and `read_resource` helpers drive MRTR
automatically: they fulfill each embedded request through the local
`ClientHandler` and retry, up to `DEFAULT_MRTR_MAX_ROUNDS` (10).
```rust, ignore
// Auto mode: the SDK fulfills embedded requests and retries for you.
let result = client.call_tool(CallToolRequestParams::new("weather")).await?;
// Choose a custom round cap.
let result = client
.call_tool_with_mrtr_max_rounds(CallToolRequestParams::new("weather"), 3)
.await?;
// Manual mode: get the intermediate InputRequiredResult and drive rounds yourself.
match client.call_tool_once(CallToolRequestParams::new("weather")).await? {
CallToolResponse::InputRequired(input_required) => { /* fulfill + retry */ }
CallToolResponse::Complete(result) => { /* done */ }
_ => {}
}
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/mrtr.rs`](examples/servers/src/mrtr.rs) (end-to-end server + client)
---
## Tasks (long-running tool invocations)
`rmcp` implements the [MCP Tasks extension](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/extensions/tasks/overview)
(SEP-2663, `io.modelcontextprotocol/tasks`). A client declares the extension in its
capabilities; the server then decides per request whether to materialize a `tools/call`
as a task, returning a `CreateTaskResult` (`resultType: "task"`). The client polls
`tasks/get`, answers in-task input requests via `tasks/update`, and may request
cooperative cancellation via `tasks/cancel`. Use `rmcp::task_manager::TaskManager`
to manage task lifecycles server-side.
```rust, ignore
// Client: declare the tasks extension capability.
let caps = ClientCapabilities::builder().enable_tasks().build();
// Server: decide per request whether to materialize a task.
async fn call_tool(&self, request: CallToolRequestParams, context: RequestContext<RoleServer>)
-> Result<CallToolResponse, McpError>
{
let client_supports_tasks = context
.client_capabilities()
.is_some_and(|caps| caps.supports_tasks());
if client_supports_tasks {
let task = self.tasks.spawn(TaskOptions::default(), move |_ctx| {
Box::pin(async move { /* long-running work -> Ok(CallToolResult) */ })
});
return Ok(CallToolResponse::Task(CreateTaskResult::new(task)));
}
// ... fall back to synchronous execution
}
```
See [`servers_task_stdio`](examples/servers/src/task_stdio.rs) and the matching
[`clients_task_stdio`](examples/clients/src/task_stdio.rs) for a runnable end-to-end example.
## Caching
`rmcp` clients transparently cache responses that carry the
[SEP-2549](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/utilities/caching)
caching hints (`ttlMs` / `cacheScope`) for `server/discover`, `tools/list`,
`prompts/list`, `resources/list`, `resources/templates/list`, and `resources/read`.
Caching is on by default but only stores a response when the server sends a
positive `ttlMs`, so servers that omit the hint behave exactly as before. Entries
expire after their TTL, are partitioned by cache scope, and are invalidated
automatically by the matching `list_changed` / `resource updated` notifications.
No call-site changes are needed — existing calls benefit automatically:
```rust, ignore
let tools = peer.list_tools(None).await?; // served from cache while fresh
let res = peer.read_resource(params).await?; // cached per-URI
```
Tune or disable it per connection via the `Peer`:
```rust, ignore
use std::time::Duration;
use rmcp::ClientCacheConfig;
// Customize behavior.
peer.set_response_cache_config(
ClientCacheConfig::default()
.with_default_ttl(Duration::from_secs(30)) // TTL for servers that omit ttlMs
.with_max_ttl(Duration::from_secs(3600)) // upper bound on any TTL
.with_max_entries(1024)
.with_private_partition(user_id) // separate private caches per principal
.with_serve_stale_on_error(false), // surface errors instead of stale data
).await;
// Or turn it off entirely.
peer.set_response_cache_config(ClientCacheConfig::disabled()).await;
// Manually flush.
peer.clear_response_cache().await;
```
> **Note:** with the default `serve_stale_on_error`, a failed re-fetch returns the
> last cached response (even if expired) as `Ok(..)` instead of an error. Set
> `with_serve_stale_on_error(false)` if callers must observe fetch failures.
## Standard HTTP Headers
Protocol `2026-07-28` standardizes a set of Streamable HTTP request headers
(SEP-2243) so proxies and gateways can route MCP traffic without parsing the
JSON body: `Mcp-Method`, `Mcp-Name`, and `Mcp-Param-*`. `rmcp` emits and
validates these automatically once a connection negotiates `2026-07-28` or
newer — no call-site changes are required, and older negotiated versions are
untouched.
**MCP Spec:** [Header standardization](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/transports#header)
- `Mcp-Method` — the JSON-RPC method (e.g. `tools/call`).
- `Mcp-Name` — the target name, sourced from `params.name` (`tools/call`,
`prompts/get`), `params.uri` (`resources/*`), or `params.taskId` (`tasks/*`).
- `Mcp-Param-*` — selected `tools/call` arguments, promoted from the tool's
input schema.
To promote a tool argument into a routing header, annotate the top-level schema
property with `x-mcp-header`:
```rust, ignore
// A `region` argument surfaces as the `Mcp-Param-Region` request header.
let schema = serde_json::json!({
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"region": { "type": "string", "x-mcp-header": "Region" }
}
});
```
Annotations must be non-empty RFC 9110 tokens, case-insensitively unique, and
applied only to top-level primitive (`string`/`integer`/`boolean`) properties.
Values that cannot travel as a bare header (leading/trailing whitespace,
control/non-ASCII characters) are transparently Base64-wrapped as
`=?base64?<b64>?=`.
---
## Stateless Streamable HTTP
Per SEP-2567, `rmcp` serves the `2026-07-28` draft statelessly **automatically**:
no `Mcp-Session-Id`, no standalone GET/DELETE stream, and no `Last-Event-ID`
resumption. The `legacy_session_mode` flag below only controls behavior for
*legacy* protocol versions (`< 2026-07-28`).
**MCP Spec:** [Transports](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/transports)
### Server-side
A default server already serves `2026-07-28` clients statelessly. To also serve
*legacy* clients without sessions, disable `legacy_session_mode` (formerly
`stateful_mode`; builder `with_stateful_mode`). Optionally set
`with_json_response(true)` so simple request/response tools reply with a single
`application/json` body instead of an SSE stream (the server still falls back to
`text/event-stream` if a handler emits a notification or server request first):
```rust, ignore
use rmcp::transport::streamable_http_server::{
StreamableHttpService, StreamableHttpServerConfig,
session::local::LocalSessionManager,
};
let config = StreamableHttpServerConfig::default()
.with_legacy_session_mode(false) // stateless for legacy versions too
.with_json_response(true); // plain JSON replies for simple tools
let service = StreamableHttpService::new(
|| Ok(Counter::new()), // a fresh handler per request
LocalSessionManager::default().into(),
config,
);
// `StreamableHttpService` is a Tower service — mount it on any router.
let router = axum::Router::new().nest_service("/mcp", service);
```
> Because there is no per-session state, the `service_factory` runs per request.
> Keep shared state (DB pools, caches) in a `Clone` handle captured by the
> closure; don't rely on in-memory state surviving between requests.
>
> Modern-only servers can additionally call
> `with_stateless_protocol_metadata_required(true)` to reject the compatibility
> fallback for requests missing their per-request protocol signals. rmcp clients
> negotiated below `2026-07-28` do not attach that body metadata and will be
> rejected, so pair this option with a `supported_protocol_versions`
> implementation that advertises only `2026-07-28` and later.
### Client-side
The Streamable HTTP client transport allows stateless operation by default
(`allow_stateless: true`), so no configuration is needed to talk to a stateless
server — it simply omits the session header when the server doesn't issue one:
```rust, ignore
use rmcp::transport::StreamableHttpClientTransport;
// Defaults are stateless-friendly.
let transport = StreamableHttpClientTransport::from_uri("http://localhost:8000/mcp");
let client = ClientConfig::default().serve(transport).await?;
```
**Example:** [`examples/servers/src/counter_streamhttp.rs`](examples/servers/src/counter_streamhttp.rs) (server), [`examples/clients/src/streamable_http.rs`](examples/clients/src/streamable_http.rs) (client)
---
## Transports
A transport moves JSON-RPC messages between client and server. Any `Transport`
impl can be passed to `.serve(..)`; `rmcp` ships the common ones behind Cargo
features.
**MCP Spec:** [Transports](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/transports)
| Transport | Feature(s) | Notes |
| ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ----- |
| **stdio** | `transport-io` (client + server) | Communicate over `stdin`/`stdout`; the standard way to launch local MCP servers as child processes. |
| **Child process** (client) | `transport-child-process` | Spawn a server binary and talk to it over its stdio. |
| **Streamable HTTP** (server) | `transport-streamable-http-server` | The current HTTP transport. Exposes a Tower service you can mount on any router. |
| **Streamable HTTP** (client) | `transport-streamable-http-client-reqwest` | HTTP client transport built on `reqwest`. |
| **Worker / in-process** | `transport-worker` | For embedding or testing without real I/O. |
### stdio
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::{ServiceExt, transport::stdio};
// Server: serve over stdin/stdout.
let server = MyServer.serve(stdio()).await?;
server.waiting().await?;
```
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::{ServiceExt, transport::{TokioChildProcess, ConfigureCommandExt}};
use tokio::process::Command;
// Client: launch a server binary and talk to it over its stdio.
let transport = TokioChildProcess::new(Command::new("uvx").configure(|cmd| {
cmd.arg("mcp-server-git");
}))?;
let client = ().serve(transport).await?;
```
### Streamable HTTP
`StreamableHttpService` is a Tower service — mount it on any `axum`/`hyper`
router (see [Stateless Streamable HTTP](#stateless-streamable-http) for the full
server example). The client transport connects with a single URI:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::transport::StreamableHttpClientTransport;
let transport = StreamableHttpClientTransport::from_uri("http://localhost:8000/mcp");
let client = ClientConfig::default().serve(transport).await?;
```
The client allows up to 16 ordinary http POSTs at once. Configure this with
`StreamableHttpClientTransportConfig::with_uri(url).max_concurrent_requests(n)`;
`1` keeps ordinary POSTs serial, and `0` is treated as `1`. An open sse response
stream does not count against this limit. Cancellation and replies use a
separate queue with one extra POST slot. Configure their timeout with
`control_request_timeout` (default: five seconds). The timeout starts when the
POST starts, excluding time in the queue. Cancellation stops a queued or active
POST immediately.
For an open legacy response stream, the client stops reading but keeps the stream
alive until the cancellation send finishes or is dropped. This lets custom http
adapters handle cancellation before their stream state is removed.
Session recovery waits up to five seconds for old POSTs, then stops any that
remain. Those POSTs are not retried because the server may have processed them.
Configure this wait and the separate
reinitialization timeout with `session_recovery_timeout`. Callers still decide
which tools may run at the same time and which need approval.
#### Server-Sent Events (SSE)
Streamable HTTP responses arrive as either a single `application/json` body or a
`text/event-stream` (Server-Sent Events) stream when the server pushes
notifications or requests before the result. `rmcp` handles both automatically
(SSE parsing lives behind the `client-side-sse` feature). There is no separate
"SSE transport" to configure — it's an implementation detail of Streamable HTTP.
#### Legacy HTTP+SSE transport (`2024-11-05`) — intentionally not provided
The standalone two-endpoint **HTTP+SSE transport** defined in protocol revision
`2024-11-05` (a separate `GET` SSE channel plus a `POST` message endpoint) is a
**deliberate non-goal** for `rmcp`. It was [replaced by Streamable HTTP in the
`2025-03-26` revision](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/transports),
and `rmcp` targets current spec revisions (`2025-11-25` and `2026-07-28`), so it
ships **no legacy HTTP+SSE client or server transport**.
What to use instead:
- **New client/server code** — use [Streamable HTTP](#streamable-http). It carries
the same SSE streaming semantics over a single endpoint and is the transport all
supported spec revisions expect.
- **Server-to-client streaming** (push notifications, resource updates) — this is
built into Streamable HTTP; see [Subscriptions](#subscriptions).
- **Talking to a legacy `2024-11-05`-only server** — front it with a proxy that
speaks Streamable HTTP, or pin a dependency to a release that predates the
transport's removal. `rmcp` will not add the legacy transport back.
This is a supported-surface decision, not a missing feature: every transport
`rmcp` implements is listed in the [Transports](#transports) table above.
---
## Pagination
List operations (`tools/list`, `prompts/list`, `resources/list`,
`resources/templates/list`) are paginated via a `next_cursor`. The `list_all_*`
helpers walk every page for you:
```rust,ignore
// Fetches all pages transparently.
let tools = client.list_all_tools().await?;
let prompts = client.list_all_prompts().await?;
let resources = client.list_all_resources().await?;
```
To page manually, call the single-page method and follow `next_cursor` until
it's `None`:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::PaginatedRequestParams;
let mut cursor = None;
loop {
let page = client
.list_tools(Some(PaginatedRequestParams { meta: None, cursor }))
.await?;
for tool in &page.tools {
// handle each tool
}
cursor = page.next_cursor;
if cursor.is_none() {
break;
}
}
```
On the server, return a `next_cursor` from your `list_*` handler when more pages
remain (`None` when complete).
**MCP Spec:** [Pagination](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/server/utilities/pagination)
---
## Capability & Protocol Version Negotiation
### Capabilities
At initialization, client and server exchange **capabilities** so each side
knows what the other supports. Declare yours with the `ServerCapabilities`
builder in `get_info()`:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::{ServerCapabilities, ServerConfig};
fn get_info(&self) -> ServerConfig {
ServerConfig::new(
ServerCapabilities::builder()
.enable_tools()
.enable_prompts()
.enable_resources()
.enable_resources_subscribe()
.enable_tool_list_changed()
.enable_logging()
.build(),
)
}
```
Clients do the same via `ClientCapabilities::builder()`. Macros like
`#[tool_handler]` / `#[prompt_handler]` set the relevant flags automatically.
After connecting, read the peer's capabilities via `peer.peer_info()`.
### Protocol version
MCP is versioned by date. `rmcp` negotiates automatically on connect — the
client offers a preferred `ProtocolVersion` and falls back to one the server
supports:
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::model::ProtocolVersion;
ProtocolVersion::LATEST; // newest stable version this SDK defaults to
ProtocolVersion::V_2026_07_28; // a specific version constant
ProtocolVersion::KNOWN_VERSIONS; // every version this SDK understands
```
Version-specific behavior (SEP-2243 headers, SEP-2567 stateless serving, the
SEP-2575 subscription model) is gated on the negotiated version, so older clients
keep working while newer ones opt in.
**MCP Spec:** [Versioning and Compatibility](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28/basic/versioning)
---
## JSON Schema 2020-12
Deriving `schemars::JsonSchema` on your parameter and result types generates
[JSON Schema draft 2020-12](https://json-schema.org/) — the dialect the MCP spec
requires — for the tool's `inputSchema` and `outputSchema`.
```rust,ignore
use rmcp::schemars;
#[derive(Debug, serde::Deserialize, schemars::JsonSchema)]
struct SearchParams {
/// Full-text query.
query: String,
/// Maximum number of results.
#[serde(default)]
limit: Option<u32>,
}
```
Field names, types, and doc comments flow into the schema — no manual authoring
needed. As of `2026-07-28` (SEP-2106), `outputSchema` may be any JSON Schema type
(not only `object`) and `structuredContent` may be any JSON value.
---
## Examples
See [examples](examples/README.md).
## OAuth Support
See [Oauth_support](docs/OAUTH_SUPPORT.md) for details.
## Related Resources
- [MCP Specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2026-07-28)
- [Schema](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol/blob/main/schema/2026-07-28/schema.ts)
## Related Projects
### Extending `rmcp`
- [rmcp-actix-web](https://gitlab.com/lx-industries/rmcp-actix-web) - An `actix_web` backend for `rmcp`
- [rmcp-openapi](https://gitlab.com/lx-industries/rmcp-openapi) - Transform OpenAPI definition endpoints into MCP tools
### Built with `rmcp`
- [goose](https://github.com/block/goose) - An open-source, extensible AI agent that goes beyond code suggestions
- [apollo-mcp-server](https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-mcp-server) - MCP server that connects AI agents to GraphQL APIs via Apollo GraphOS
- [rustfs-mcp](https://github.com/rustfs/rustfs/tree/main/crates/mcp) - High-performance MCP server providing S3-compatible object storage operations for AI/LLM integration
- [containerd-mcp-server](https://github.com/jokemanfire/mcp-containerd) - A containerd-based MCP server implementation
- [rmcp-openapi-server](https://gitlab.com/lx-industries/rmcp-openapi/-/tree/main/crates/rmcp-openapi-server) - High-performance MCP server that exposes OpenAPI definition endpoints as MCP tools
- [nvim-mcp](https://github.com/linw1995/nvim-mcp) - A MCP server to interact with Neovim
- [terminator](https://github.com/mediar-ai/terminator) - AI-powered desktop automation MCP server with cross-platform support and >95% success rate
- [stakpak-agent](https://github.com/stakpak/agent) - Security-hardened terminal agent for DevOps with MCP over mTLS, streaming, secret tokenization, and async task management
- [video-transcriber-mcp-rs](https://github.com/nhatvu148/video-transcriber-mcp-rs) - High-performance MCP server for transcribing videos from 1000+ platforms using whisper.cpp
- [NexusCore MCP](https://github.com/sjkim1127/Nexuscore_MCP) - Advanced malware analysis & dynamic instrumentation MCP server with Frida integration and stealth unpacking capabilities
- [spreadsheet-mcp](https://github.com/PSU3D0/spreadsheet-mcp) - Token-efficient MCP server for spreadsheet analysis with automatic region detection, recalculation, screenshot, and editing support for LLM agents
- [hyper-mcp](https://github.com/hyper-mcp-rs/hyper-mcp) - A fast, secure MCP server that extends its capabilities through WebAssembly (WASM) plugins
- [rudof-mcp](https://github.com/rudof-project/rudof/tree/master/rudof_mcp) - RDF validation and data processing MCP server with ShEx/SHACL validation, SPARQL queries, and format conversion. Supports stdio and streamable HTTP transports with full MCP capabilities (tools, prompts, resources, logging, completions, tasks)
- [MCPMate](https://github.com/loocor/MCPMate) - Desktop app for progressive MCP management: start with guided server import, then grow into multi-client profiles and Unify meta tools to keep tool exposure, token use, and runtime state under control, with more options for efficiency, cost, and reliability
- [McpMux](https://github.com/mcpmux/mcp-mux) - Desktop app to configure MCP servers once at McpMux, connect every AI client (Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, Windsurf) through a single encrypted local gateway with Spaces for project organization, FeatureSets to switch toolsets per client, and a built-in server registry
- [systemprompt-template](https://github.com/systempromptio/systemprompt-template) - Single-binary Rust runtime providing MCP governance — authentication, authorisation, rate-limiting, audit trails, and cost tracking for AI agents. Self-hosted, air-gap capable, 3,300+ req/s with sub-5ms governance overhead
- [jilebi-mcp](https://github.com/datron/jilebi) - an extensible MCP server through plugins in Javascript with a secure permissions model
## Development
### Tips for Contributors
See [docs/CONTRIBUTE.MD](docs/CONTRIBUTE.MD) to get some tips for contributing.
### Using Dev Container
If you want to use dev container, see [docs/DEVCONTAINER.md](docs/DEVCONTAINER.md) for instructions on using Dev Container for development.
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