Official Swift SDK for the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Overview
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) defines a standardized way for applications to communicate with AI and ML models. This Swift SDK implements both client and server components according to the 2025-11-25 (latest) version of the MCP specification.
Table of contents
- Requirements
- Installation
- Client Usage
- Server Usage
- Transports
- Platform Availability
- Debugging and Logging
- Additional Resources
- Changelog
- License
Requirements
- Swift 6.0+ (Xcode 16+)
See the Platform Availability section below for platform-specific requirements.
Installation
Swift Package Manager
Add the following to your Package.swift file:
dependencies: [ .package(url: "https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/swift-sdk.git", from: "0.11.0") ]
Then add the dependency to your target:
.target( name: "YourTarget", dependencies: [ .product(name: "MCP", package: "swift-sdk") ] )
Client Usage
The client component allows your application to connect to MCP servers.
Basic Client Setup
import MCP // Initialize the client let client = Client(name: "MyApp", version: "1.0.0") // Create a transport and connect let transport = StdioTransport() let result = try await client.connect(transport: transport) // Check server capabilities if result.capabilities.tools != nil { // Server supports tools (implicitly including tool calling if the 'tools' capability object is present) }
Note
The Client.connect(transport:) method returns the initialization result.
This return value is discardable,
so you can ignore it if you don't need to check server capabilities.
Transport Options for Clients
Stdio Transport
For local subprocess communication:
// Create a stdio transport (simplest option) let transport = StdioTransport() try await client.connect(transport: transport)
HTTP Transport
For remote server communication:
// Create a streaming HTTP transport let transport = HTTPClientTransport( endpoint: URL(string: "http://localhost:8080")!, streaming: true // Enable Server-Sent Events for real-time updates ) try await client.connect(transport: transport)
Tools
Tools represent functions that can be called by the client:
// List available tools let (tools, cursor) = try await client.listTools() print("Available tools: \(tools.map { $0.name }.joined(separator: ", "))") // Call a tool with arguments and get the result let (content, isError) = try await client.callTool( name: "image-generator", arguments: [ "prompt": "A serene mountain landscape at sunset", "style": "photorealistic", "width": 1024, "height": 768 ] ) // Handle tool content for item in content { switch item { case .text(let text): print("Generated text: \(text)") case .image(let data, let mimeType, let metadata): if let width = metadata?["width"] as? Int, let height = metadata?["height"] as? Int { print("Generated \(width)x\(height) image of type \(mimeType)") // Save or display the image data } case .audio(let data, let mimeType): print("Received audio data of type \(mimeType)") case .resource(let resource, _, _): print("Received embedded resource: \(resource)") case .resourceLink(let uri, let name, _, _, let mimeType, _): print("Resource link: \(name) at \(uri), type: \(mimeType ?? "unknown")") } }
Resources
Resources represent data that can be accessed and potentially subscribed to:
// List available resources let (resources, nextCursor) = try await client.listResources() print("Available resources: \(resources.map { $0.uri }.joined(separator: ", "))") // Read a resource let contents = try await client.readResource(uri: "resource://example") print("Resource content: \(contents)") // Subscribe to resource updates if supported if result.capabilities.resources?.subscribe == true { try await client.subscribeToResource(uri: "resource://example") // Register notification handler await client.onNotification(ResourceUpdatedNotification.self) { message in let uri = message.params.uri print("Resource \(uri) updated with new content") // Fetch the updated resource content let updatedContents = try await client.readResource(uri: uri) print("Updated resource content received") } }
Prompts
Prompts represent templated conversation starters:
// List available prompts let (prompts, nextCursor) = try await client.listPrompts() print("Available prompts: \(prompts.map { $0.name }.joined(separator: ", "))") // Get a prompt with arguments let (description, messages) = try await client.getPrompt( name: "customer-service", arguments: [ "customerName": "Alice", "orderNumber": "ORD-12345", "issue": "delivery delay" ] ) // Use the prompt messages in your application print("Prompt description: \(description)") for message in messages { if case .text(text: let text) = message.content { print("\(message.role): \(text)") } }
Completions
Completions allow servers to provide autocompletion suggestions for prompt and resource template arguments as users type:
// Request completions for a prompt argument let completion = try await client.complete( promptName: "code_review", argumentName: "language", argumentValue: "py" ) // Display suggestions to the user for value in completion.values { print("Suggestion: \(value)") } if completion.hasMore == true { print("More suggestions available (total: \(completion.total ?? 0))") }
You can also provide context with already-resolved arguments:
// First, user selects a language let languageCompletion = try await client.complete( promptName: "code_review", argumentName: "language", argumentValue: "py" ) // User selects "python" // Then get framework suggestions based on the selected language let frameworkCompletion = try await client.complete( promptName: "code_review", argumentName: "framework", argumentValue: "fla", context: ["language": .string("python")] ) // Returns: ["flask"]
Completions work for resource templates as well:
// Get path completions for a resource URI template let pathCompletion = try await client.complete( resourceURI: "file:///{path}", argumentName: "path", argumentValue: "/usr/" ) // Returns: ["/usr/bin", "/usr/lib", "/usr/local"]
Sampling
Sampling allows servers to request LLM completions through the client, enabling agentic behaviors while maintaining human-in-the-loop control. Clients register a handler to process incoming sampling requests from servers.
Tip
Sampling requests flow from server to client, not client to server. This enables servers to request AI assistance while clients maintain control over model access and user approval.
// Register a sampling handler in the client await client.withSamplingHandler { parameters in // Review the sampling request (human-in-the-loop step 1) print("Server requests completion for: \(parameters.messages)") // Optionally modify the request based on user input var messages = parameters.messages if let systemPrompt = parameters.systemPrompt { print("System prompt: \(systemPrompt)") } // Sample from your LLM (this is where you'd call your AI service) let completion = try await callYourLLMService( messages: messages, maxTokens: parameters.maxTokens, temperature: parameters.temperature ) // Review the completion (human-in-the-loop step 2) print("LLM generated: \(completion)") // User can approve, modify, or reject the completion here // Return the result to the server return CreateSamplingMessage.Result( model: "your-model-name", stopReason: .endTurn, role: .assistant, content: .text(completion) ) }
Elicitation
Elicitation allows servers to request structured information directly from users through the client. This is useful when servers need user input that wasn't provided in the original request, such as credentials, configuration choices, or approval for sensitive operations.
Tip
Elicitation requests flow from server to client, similar to sampling. Clients must register a handler to respond to elicitation requests from servers.
Client-Side: Handling Elicitation Requests
Register an elicitation handler to respond to server requests:
// Register an elicitation handler in the client await client.withElicitationHandler { parameters in switch parameters { case .form(let form): // Display the request to the user print("Server requests: \(form.message)") // If a schema was provided, inspect it if let schema = form.requestedSchema { print("Required fields: \(schema.required ?? [])") print("Schema: \(schema.properties)") } // Present UI to collect user input let userResponse = presentElicitationUI(form) // Return the user's response if userResponse.accepted { return CreateElicitation.Result( action: .accept, content: userResponse.data ) } else if userResponse.canceled { return CreateElicitation.Result(action: .cancel) } else { return CreateElicitation.Result(action: .decline) } case .url(let url): // Direct the user to an external URL (e.g., for OAuth) openURL(url.url) return CreateElicitation.Result(action: .accept) } }
Common use cases for elicitation:
- Authentication: Request credentials when needed rather than upfront
- Confirmation: Ask for user approval before sensitive operations
- Configuration: Collect preferences or settings during operation
- Missing information: Request additional details not provided initially
Roots
Roots define the filesystem boundaries that a client exposes to servers. Servers discover roots by sending a roots/list request to the client; clients notify servers when the list changes.
Tip
To use roots, declare the roots capability when creating the client.
let client = Client( name: "MyApp", version: "1.0.0", capabilities: .init( roots: .init(listChanged: true) ) ) // Register a handler for roots/list requests from servers await client.withRootsHandler { return [ Root(uri: "file:///Users/user/projects", name: "Projects"), Root(uri: "file:///Users/user/documents", name: "Documents") ] } // Notify connected servers whenever roots change try await client.notifyRootsChanged()
Logging
Clients can control server logging levels and receive structured log messages:
// Set the minimum logging level try await client.setLoggingLevel(.warning) // Register a handler for log messages from the server await client.onNotification(LogMessageNotification.self) { message in let level = message.params.level // LogLevel (debug, info, warning, etc.) let logger = message.params.logger // Optional logger name let data = message.params.data // Arbitrary JSON data // Display log message based on level switch level { case .error, .critical, .alert, .emergency: print("❌ [\(logger ?? "server")] \(data)") case .warning: print("⚠️ [\(logger ?? "server")] \(data)") default: print("ℹ️ [\(logger ?? "server")] \(data)") } }
Log levels follow the standard syslog severity levels (RFC 5424):
- debug: Detailed debugging information
- info: General informational messages
- notice: Normal but significant events
- warning: Warning conditions
- error: Error conditions
- critical: Critical conditions
- alert: Action must be taken immediately
- emergency: System is unusable
Error Handling
Handle common client errors:
do { try await client.connect(transport: transport) // Success } catch let error as MCPError { print("MCP Error: \(error.localizedDescription)") } catch { print("Unexpected error: \(error)") }
Cancellation
Either side can cancel an in-progress request and handle incoming cancellations gracefully:
Option 1: Convenience Methods with RequestContext Overload
For common operations like tool calls, use the overloaded method that returns RequestContext:
// Call a tool and get a context for cancellation let context = try client.callTool( name: "long-running-analysis", arguments: ["data": largeDataset] ) // You can cancel the request at any time try await client.cancelRequest(context.requestID, reason: "User cancelled") // Await the result (will throw CancellationError if cancelled) do { let result = try await context.value print("Result: \(result.content)") } catch is CancellationError { print("Request was cancelled") }
Option 2: Direct send() for Maximum Flexibility
For full control or custom requests, use send() directly:
// Create any request type let request = CallTool.request(.init( name: "long-running-analysis", arguments: ["data": largeDataset] )) // Send and get a context for cancellation tracking let context: RequestContext<CallTool.Result> = try client.send(request) // Cancel when needed try await client.cancelRequest(context.requestID, reason: "Timeout") // Get the result let result = try await context.value let content = result.content let isError = result.isError
Progress tracking
Clients can attach a progress token to a request and receive incremental progress updates for long-running operations:
// Call a tool with progress tracking let progressToken = ProgressToken.unique() // Register a notification handler to receive progress updates await client.onNotification(ProgressNotification.self) { message in let params = message.params // Filter by your progress token if params.progressToken == progressToken { print("Progress: \(params.progress)/\(params.total ?? 0)") if let message = params.message { print("Status: \(message)") } } } // Make the request with the progress token let (content, isError) = try await client.callTool( name: "long-running-tool", arguments: ["input": "value"], meta: Metadata(progressToken: progressToken) )
Advanced Client Features
Strict vs Non-Strict Configuration
Configure client behavior for capability checking:
// Strict configuration - fail fast if a capability is missing let strictClient = Client( name: "StrictClient", version: "1.0.0", configuration: .strict ) // With strict configuration, calling a method for an unsupported capability // will throw an error immediately without sending a request do { // This will throw an error if resources.list capability is not available let resources = try await strictClient.listResources() } catch let error as MCPError { print("Capability not available: \(error.localizedDescription)") } // Default (non-strict) configuration - attempt the request anyway let client = Client( name: "FlexibleClient", version: "1.0.0", configuration: .default ) // With default configuration, the client will attempt the request // even if the capability wasn't advertised by the server do { let resources = try await client.listResources() } catch let error as MCPError { // Still handle the error if the server rejects the request print("Server rejected request: \(error.localizedDescription)") }
Request Batching
Improve performance by sending multiple requests in a single batch:
// Array to hold tool call tasks var toolTasks: [Task<CallTool.Result, Swift.Error>] = [] // Send a batch of requests try await client.withBatch { batch in // Add multiple tool calls to the batch for i in 0..<10 { toolTasks.append( try await batch.addRequest( CallTool.request(.init(name: "square", arguments: ["n": Value(i)])) ) ) } } // Process results after the batch is sent print("Processing \(toolTasks.count) tool results...") for (index, task) in toolTasks.enumerated() { do { let result = try await task.value print("\(index): \(result.content)") } catch { print("\(index) failed: \(error)") } }
You can also batch different types of requests:
// Declare task variables var pingTask: Task<Ping.Result, Error>? var promptTask: Task<GetPrompt.Result, Error>? // Send a batch with different request types try await client.withBatch { batch in pingTask = try await batch.addRequest(Ping.request()) promptTask = try await batch.addRequest( GetPrompt.request(.init(name: "greeting")) ) } // Process individual results do { if let pingTask = pingTask { try await pingTask.value print("Ping successful") } if let promptTask = promptTask { let promptResult = try await promptTask.value print("Prompt: \(promptResult.description ?? "None")") } } catch { print("Error processing batch results: \(error)") }
Note
Server automatically handles batch requests from MCP clients.
Server Usage
The server component allows your application to host model capabilities and respond to client requests.
Basic Server Setup
import MCP // Create a server with given capabilities let server = Server( name: "MyModelServer", version: "1.0.0", capabilities: .init( completions: .init(), logging: .init(), prompts: .init(listChanged: true), resources: .init(subscribe: true, listChanged: true), tools: .init(listChanged: true) ) ) // Create transport and start server let transport = StdioTransport() try await server.start(transport: transport) // Now register handlers for the capabilities you've enabled
Tools
Register tool handlers to respond to client tool calls:
// Register a tool list handler await server.withMethodHandler(ListTools.self) { _ in let tools = [ Tool( name: "weather", description: "Get current weather for a location", inputSchema: .object([ "properties": .object([ "location": .string("City name or coordinates"), "units": .string("Units of measurement, e.g., metric, imperial") ]) ]) ), Tool( name: "calculator", description: "Perform calculations", inputSchema: .object([ "properties": .object([ "expression": .string("Mathematical expression to evaluate") ]) ]) ) ] return .init(tools: tools) } // Register a tool call handler await server.withMethodHandler(CallTool.self) { params in switch params.name { case "weather": let location = params.arguments?["location"]?.stringValue ?? "Unknown" let units = params.arguments?["units"]?.stringValue ?? "metric" let weatherData = getWeatherData(location: location, units: units) // Your implementation return .init( content: [.text("Weather for \(location): \(weatherData.temperature)°, \(weatherData.conditions)")], isError: false ) case "calculator": if let expression = params.arguments?["expression"]?.stringValue { let result = evaluateExpression(expression) // Your implementation return .init(content: [.text("\(result)")], isError: false) } else { return .init(content: [.text("Missing expression parameter")], isError: true) } default: return .init(content: [.text("Unknown tool")], isError: true) } }
Resources
Implement resource handlers for data access:
// Register a resource list handler await server.withMethodHandler(ListResources.self) { params in let resources = [ Resource( name: "Knowledge Base Articles", uri: "resource://knowledge-base/articles", description: "Collection of support articles and documentation" ), Resource( name: "System Status", uri: "resource://system/status", description: "Current system operational status" ) ] return .init(resources: resources, nextCursor: nil) } // Register a resource read handler await server.withMethodHandler(ReadResource.self) { params in switch params.uri { case "resource://knowledge-base/articles": return .init(contents: [Resource.Content.text("# Knowledge Base\n\nThis is the content of the knowledge base...", uri: params.uri)]) case "resource://system/status": let status = getCurrentSystemStatus() // Your implementation let statusJson = """ { "status": "\(status.overall)", "components": { "database": "\(status.database)", "api": "\(status.api)", "model": "\(status.model)" }, "lastUpdated": "\(status.timestamp)" } """ return .init(contents: [Resource.Content.text(statusJson, uri: params.uri, mimeType: "application/json")]) default: throw MCPError.invalidParams("Unknown resource URI: \(params.uri)") } } // Register a resource subscribe handler await server.withMethodHandler(ResourceSubscribe.self) { params in // Store subscription for later notifications. // Client identity for multi-client scenarios needs to be managed by the server application, // potentially using information from the initialize handshake if the server handles one client post-init. // addSubscription(clientID: /* some_client_identifier */, uri: params.uri) print("Client subscribed to \(params.uri). Server needs to implement logic to track this subscription.") return .init() }
Prompts
Implement prompt handlers:
// Register a prompt list handler await server.withMethodHandler(ListPrompts.self) { params in let prompts = [ Prompt( name: "interview", description: "Job interview conversation starter", arguments: [ .init(name: "position", description: "Job position", required: true), .init(name: "company", description: "Company name", required: true), .init(name: "interviewee", description: "Candidate name") ] ), Prompt( name: "customer-support", description: "Customer support conversation starter", arguments: [ .init(name: "issue", description: "Customer issue", required: true), .init(name: "product", description: "Product name", required: true) ] ) ] return .init(prompts: prompts, nextCursor: nil) } // Register a prompt get handler await server.withMethodHandler(GetPrompt.self) { params in switch params.name { case "interview": let position = params.arguments?["position"]?.stringValue ?? "Software Engineer" let company = params.arguments?["company"]?.stringValue ?? "Acme Corp" let interviewee = params.arguments?["interviewee"]?.stringValue ?? "Candidate" let description = "Job interview for \(position) position at \(company)" let messages: [Prompt.Message] = [ .user(.text(text: "You are an interviewer for the \(position) position at \(company).")), .user(.text(text: "Hello, I'm \(interviewee) and I'm here for the \(position) interview.")), .assistant(.text(text: "Hi \(interviewee), welcome to \(company)! I'd like to start by asking about your background and experience.")) ] return .init(description: description, messages: messages) case "customer-support": // Similar implementation for customer support prompt default: throw MCPError.invalidParams("Unknown prompt name: \(params.name)") } }
Completions
Servers can provide autocompletion suggestions for prompt and resource template arguments:
// Enable completions capability let server = Server( name: "MyServer", version: "1.0.0", capabilities: .init( completions: .init(), prompts: .init(listChanged: true) ) ) // Register a completion handler await server.withMethodHandler(Complete.self) { params in // Get the argument being completed let argumentName = params.argument.name let currentValue = params.argument.value // Check which prompt or resource is being completed switch params.ref { case .prompt(let promptRef): // Provide completions for a prompt argument if promptRef.name == "code_review" && argumentName == "language" { // Simple prefix matching let allLanguages = ["python", "perl", "php", "javascript", "java", "swift"] let matches = allLanguages.filter { $0.hasPrefix(currentValue.lowercased()) } return .init( completion: .init( values: Array(matches.prefix(100)), // Max 100 items total: matches.count, hasMore: matches.count > 100 ) ) } case .resource(let resourceRef): // Provide completions for a resource template argument if resourceRef.uri == "file:///{path}" && argumentName == "path" { // Return directory suggestions let suggestions = try getDirectoryCompletions(for: currentValue) return .init( completion: .init( values: suggestions, total: suggestions.count, hasMore: false ) ) } } // No completions available return .init(completion: .init(values: [], total: 0, hasMore: false)) }
You can also use context from already-resolved arguments:
await server.withMethodHandler(Complete.self) { params in // Access context from previous argument completions if let context = params.context, let language = context.arguments["language"]?.stringValue { // Provide framework suggestions based on selected language if language == "python" { let frameworks = ["flask", "django", "fastapi", "tornado"] let matches = frameworks.filter { $0.hasPrefix(params.argument.value.lowercased()) } return .init( completion: .init(values: matches, total: matches.count, hasMore: false) ) } } return .init(completion: .init(values: [], total: 0, hasMore: false)) }
Sampling
Servers can request LLM completions from clients through sampling. This enables agentic behaviors where servers can ask for AI assistance while maintaining human oversight.
// Enable sampling capability in server let server = Server( name: "MyModelServer", version: "1.0.0", capabilities: .init( sampling: .init(), // Enable sampling capability tools: .init(listChanged: true) ) ) // Request sampling from the connected client do { let result = try await server.requestSampling( messages: [ .user("Analyze this data and suggest next steps") ], systemPrompt: "You are a helpful data analyst", temperature: 0.7, maxTokens: 150 ) // Use the LLM completion in your server logic print("LLM suggested: \(result.content)") } catch { print("Sampling request failed: \(error)") }
Sampling enables powerful agentic workflows:
- Decision-making: Ask the LLM to choose between options
- Content generation: Request drafts for user approval
- Data analysis: Get AI insights on complex data
- Multi-step reasoning: Chain AI completions with tool calls
Elicitations
Servers can request information from users through elicitation:
// Ask the user to provide some additional information let schema = Elicitation.RequestSchema( title: "Additional Information Required", description: "Please provide the following details to continue", properties: [ "name": .object([ "type": .string("string"), "description": .string("Your full name") ]), "confirmed": .object([ "type": .string("boolean"), "description": .string("Do you confirm the provided information?") ]) ], required: ["name", "confirmed"] ) let result = try await server.requestElicitation( message: "Some details are needed before proceeding", requestedSchema: schema ) switch result.action { case .accept: if let content = result.content { let name = content["name"]?.stringValue let confirmed = content["confirmed"]?.boolValue // Use the collected data... } case .decline: throw MCPError.invalidRequest("User declined to provide information") case .cancel: throw MCPError.invalidRequest("Operation canceled by user") }
For URL-based elicitation (e.g., OAuth flows), use the URL overload:
let result = try await server.requestElicitation( message: "Please sign in to continue", url: "https://example.com/oauth/authorize?client_id=...", elicitationId: UUID().uuidString )
Roots
Servers can request the list of filesystem roots that the client has exposed:
// Request roots from the connected client // (requires the client to declare the roots capability) let roots = try await server.listRoots() for root in roots { print("Root: \(root.name ?? root.uri) at \(root.uri)") } // React to root list changes await server.onNotification(RootsListChangedNotification.self) { _ in let updatedRoots = try await server.listRoots() print("Roots updated: \(updatedRoots.map { $0.uri })") }
Logging
Servers can send structured log messages to clients:
// Enable logging capability let server = Server( name: "MyServer", version: "1.0.0", capabilities: .init( logging: .init(), tools: .init(listChanged: true) ) ) // Send log messages at different severity levels try await server.log( level: .info, logger: "database", data: Value.object([ "message": .string("Database connected successfully"), "host": .string("localhost"), "port": .int(5432) ]) ) try await server.log( level: .error, logger: "api", data: Value.object([ "message": .string("Request failed"), "statusCode": .int(500), "error": .string("Internal server error") ]) ) // You can also use codable types directly struct ErrorLog: Codable { let message: String let code: Int let timestamp: String } let errorLog = ErrorLog( message: "Operation failed", code: 500, timestamp: ISO8601DateFormatter().string(from: Date()) ) try await server.log(level: .error, logger: "operations", data: errorLog)
Clients can control which log levels they receive:
// Register a handler for client's logging level preferences await server.withMethodHandler(SetLoggingLevel.self) { params in let minimumLevel = params.level // Store the client's preference and filter log messages accordingly // (Implementation depends on your server architecture) storeLogLevel(minimumLevel) return Empty() }
Progress Tracking
Servers can send incremental progress notifications during long-running tool calls by reading the progressToken from the request metadata and sending ProgressNotification messages:
await server.withMethodHandler(CallTool.self) { params in // Read the progress token from request metadata guard let token = params._meta?.progressToken else { // No progress token provided — run without reporting progress return .init(content: [.text("Done")], isError: false) } // Report initial progress let started = ProgressNotification.message( .init(progressToken: token, progress: 0, total: 100) ) try await server.notify(started) // ... do work ... // Report intermediate progress let halfway = ProgressNotification.message( .init(progressToken: token, progress: 50, total: 100, message: "Halfway there") ) try await server.notify(halfway) // ... do more work ... // Report completion let done = ProgressNotification.message( .init(progressToken: token, progress: 100, total: 100, message: "Complete") ) try await server.notify(done) return .init(content: [.text("Done")], isError: false) }
Initialize Hook
Control client connections with an initialize hook:
// Start the server with an initialize hook try await server.start(transport: transport) { clientInfo, clientCapabilities in // Validate client info guard clientInfo.name != "BlockedClient" else { throw MCPError.invalidRequest("This client is not allowed") } // You can also inspect client capabilities if clientCapabilities.sampling == nil { print("Client does not support sampling") } // Perform any server-side setup based on client info print("Client \(clientInfo.name) v\(clientInfo.version) connected") // If the hook completes without throwing, initialization succeeds }
Graceful Shutdown
We recommend using Swift Service Lifecycle for managing startup and shutdown of services.
First, add the dependency to your Package.swift:
.package(url: "https://github.com/swift-server/swift-service-lifecycle.git", from: "2.3.0"),
Then implement the MCP server as a Service:
import MCP import ServiceLifecycle import Logging struct MCPService: Service { let server: Server let transport: Transport init(server: Server, transport: Transport) { self.server = server self.transport = transport } func run() async throws { // Start the server try await server.start(transport: transport) // Keep running until external cancellation try await Task.sleep(for: .days(365 * 100)) // Effectively forever } func shutdown() async throws { // Gracefully shutdown the server await server.stop() } }
Then use it in your application:
import MCP import ServiceLifecycle import Logging let logger = Logger(label: "com.example.mcp-server") // Create the MCP server let server = Server( name: "MyModelServer", version: "1.0.0", capabilities: .init( prompts: .init(listChanged: true), resources: .init(subscribe: true, listChanged: true), tools: .init(listChanged: true) ) ) // Add handlers directly to the server await server.withMethodHandler(ListTools.self) { _ in // Your implementation return .init(tools: [ Tool(name: "example", description: "An example tool") ]) } await server.withMethodHandler(CallTool.self) { params in // Your implementation return .init(content: [.text("Tool result")], isError: false) } // Create MCP service and other services let transport = StdioTransport(logger: logger) let mcpService = MCPService(server: server, transport: transport) let databaseService = DatabaseService() // Your other services // Create service group with signal handling let serviceGroup = ServiceGroup( services: [mcpService, databaseService], configuration: .init( gracefulShutdownSignals: [.sigterm, .sigint] ), logger: logger ) // Run the service group - this blocks until shutdown try await serviceGroup.run()
This approach has several benefits:
- Signal handling: Automatically traps SIGINT, SIGTERM and triggers graceful shutdown
- Graceful shutdown: Properly shuts down your MCP server and other services
- Timeout-based shutdown: Configurable shutdown timeouts to prevent hanging processes
- Advanced service management:
[ServiceLifecycle](https://swiftpackageindex.com/swift-server/swift-service-lifecycle/documentation/servicelifecycle)also supports service dependencies, conditional services, and other useful features.
Transports
MCP's transport layer handles communication between clients and servers. The Swift SDK provides multiple built-in transports:
| Transport | Description | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
StdioTransport |
Implements stdio transport using standard input/output streams | Apple platforms, Linux with glibc | Local subprocesses, CLI tools |
HTTPClientTransport |
Implements Streamable HTTP transport using Foundation's URL Loading System | All platforms with Foundation | Remote servers, web applications |
StatelessHTTPServerTransport |
HTTP server transport with simple request-response semantics; no session management or SSE streaming | All platforms with Foundation | Simple HTTP servers, serverless/edge functions |
StatefulHTTPServerTransport |
HTTP server transport with full session management and SSE streaming for server-initiated messages | All platforms with Foundation | Full-featured HTTP servers, streaming notifications |
InMemoryTransport |
Custom in-memory transport for direct communication within the same process | All platforms | Testing, debugging, same-process client-server communication |
NetworkTransport |
Custom transport using Apple's Network framework for TCP/UDP connections | Apple platforms only | Low-level networking, custom protocols |
Custom Transport Implementation
You can implement a custom transport by conforming to the Transport protocol:
import MCP import Foundation public actor MyCustomTransport: Transport { public nonisolated let logger: Logger private var isConnected = false private let messageStream: AsyncThrowingStream<Data, any Swift.Error> private let messageContinuation: AsyncThrowingStream<Data, any Swift.Error>.Continuation public init(logger: Logger? = nil) { self.logger = logger ?? Logger(label: "my.custom.transport") var continuation: AsyncThrowingStream<Data, any Swift.Error>.Continuation! self.messageStream = AsyncThrowingStream { continuation = $0 } self.messageContinuation = continuation } public func connect() async throws { // Implement your connection logic isConnected = true } public func disconnect() async { // Implement your disconnection logic isConnected = false messageContinuation.finish() } public func send(_ data: Data) async throws { // Implement your message sending logic } public func receive() -> AsyncThrowingStream<Data, any Swift.Error> { return messageStream } }
Platform Availability
The Swift SDK has the following platform requirements:
| Platform | Minimum Version |
|---|---|
| macOS | 13.0+ |
| iOS / Mac Catalyst | 16.0+ |
| watchOS | 9.0+ |
| tvOS | 16.0+ |
| visionOS | 1.0+ |
| Linux | Distributions with glibc or musl, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Alpine Linux |
While the core library works on any platform supporting Swift 6 (including Linux), running a client or server requires a compatible transport.
Debugging and Logging
Enable logging to help troubleshoot issues:
import Logging import MCP // Configure Logger LoggingSystem.bootstrap { label in var handler = StreamLogHandler.standardOutput(label: label) handler.logLevel = .debug return handler } // Create logger let logger = Logger(label: "com.example.mcp") // Pass to client/server let client = Client(name: "MyApp", version: "1.0.0") // Pass to transport let transport = StdioTransport(logger: logger)
Additional Resources
Changelog
This project follows Semantic Versioning. For pre-1.0 releases, minor version increments (0.X.0) may contain breaking changes.
For details about changes in each release, see the GitHub Releases page.
License
This project is licensed under Apache 2.0 for new contributions, with existing code under MIT. See the LICENSE file for details.