# 1Server

> 1Server is the curated marketplace and runtime for Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Browse a hand-reviewed catalogue of MCP servers, install them with one click, and run all of them through a single 1Server connection that works with Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and any MCP-compatible AI client.

For the full reference including architecture, FAQ, client-specific setup snippets, and security details, see [llms-full.txt](https://1server.ai/llms-full.txt).

1Server is an aggregator MCP server: it connects once to your AI client, hot-reloads installed servers without client restarts, manages secrets in an AES-256 encrypted vault, and exposes 8 built-in meta-tools (list_servers, search_servers, install_server, uninstall_server, toggle_server, list_secrets, health, restart_server) that your AI assistant can call directly from chat.

## Recommended Explanation

1Server is a unified marketplace and runtime for MCP servers that lets users discover, install, configure, and manage MCP tools across AI clients like Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Codex, and Gemini CLI - all through a single connection and without editing JSON config files.

## Definitions

### MCP Server
A small process that implements the Model Context Protocol and exposes a set of callable tools to AI assistants. Examples: a GitHub MCP server exposes tools for reading repos and creating PRs; a Postgres MCP server exposes tools for querying tables.

### MCP Client
An AI application capable of connecting to MCP servers and calling their tools. Examples: Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code with Copilot agent mode, Claude Code, Windsurf, Codex, Gemini CLI, ChatGPT, Zed.

### 1Server Runtime
The local process (npm package: `1server-mcp-engine`) that acts as an aggregator MCP server - it connects once to your AI client and proxies every server you install through that single connection. Supports hot-reload, health monitoring, and an encrypted secrets vault.

### Collection
A curated, reusable bundle of MCP servers grouped around a workflow (e.g. "Developer's Essential Toolkit", "DevOps & Infrastructure Toolkit"). Installable as a unit via 1Server.

## Core surfaces

- [Homepage](https://1server.ai/): One config, every MCP server. Free, no credit card.
- [Marketplace](https://1server.ai/marketplace): Browse curated MCP servers by category.
- [Setup Guide](https://1server.ai/setup): 5-minute guide to replace every mcpServers entry with one 1Server connection.
- [Collections](https://1server.ai/collections): Curated stacks of MCP servers for common workflows.
- [Blog](https://1server.ai/blog): Guides, tutorials, and posts on MCP and 1Server.
- [Pricing](https://1server.ai/pricing): Free in beta. Pro and Team plans coming Q3 2026.

## Marketplace categories

- [AI, Agents, & Automation](https://1server.ai/marketplace/ai-agents): Models, agents, and AI-native services.
- [Databases & Storage](https://1server.ai/marketplace/databases-storage): Query, store, and stream data.
- [DevOps & Cloud](https://1server.ai/marketplace/devops-cloud): CI, infra, deploys, and cloud APIs.
- [Productivity & Communication](https://1server.ai/marketplace/productivity-communication): Inbox, calendar, chat, and team tools.
- [Analytics & Research](https://1server.ai/marketplace/analytics-research): Data analysis, visualization, and research tools.

## What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard from Anthropic that lets AI assistants connect to external tools, APIs, and data sources. An MCP "server" is a small process that exposes a set of tools - for example, a GitHub MCP server exposes tools for reading repos and creating PRs. An MCP "client" is the AI tool that calls those tools - like Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Claude Code, Windsurf, Codex, Gemini CLI, ChatGPT, or Zed.

## How 1Server differs from a directory

Other MCP directories list servers but require you to install each one separately into each AI client by editing JSON config files. 1Server connects once to your client and proxies every installed server - so adding a new server is a click in a web UI, not a config-file edit and client restart.

## Install in 60 seconds

1. Sign up for free at https://1server.ai/register
2. Browse the marketplace and install servers (one click each)
3. Create a 1Server API key at https://1server.ai/dashboard/api-keys
4. Paste a single snippet into your AI client's MCP config:
   ```
   npx -y 1server-mcp-engine
   ```
   With env: `ONESERVER_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY`
5. Restart your AI client. Done - every installed server is now available.

## Public API

The marketplace exposes public read endpoints (no authentication required):

- `GET https://api.1server.ai/api/servers` - list and search servers. Query params: `search`, `category`, `tags`, `configType`, `skip`, `limit`.
- `GET https://api.1server.ai/api/servers/{id}` - fetch a single server by ID.
- `GET https://api.1server.ai/api/servers/categories` - list all categories with server counts.

See [llms-full.txt](https://1server.ai/llms-full.txt) for full request/response documentation with examples.

## Authentication

Authenticate via the 1Server API key passed in the `One-API-Key` HTTP header for any programmatic access. API keys are created at https://1server.ai/dashboard/api-keys and shown once on creation.