Mcp C

Overview

Mcp‑C is a lightweight, C‑based framework that turns ordinary C code into a fully‑functional Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. It addresses the common pain point of manually wiring up tool definitions, JSON serialization, and type bridging for AI assistants. By annotating structs and functions with simple macros (, ), developers can generate the boilerplate code that MCP requires—tool signatures, JSON schema definitions, and parsing logic—in a single build step. This eliminates repetitive code writing and keeps the core business logic clean, allowing teams to focus on the unique behavior of their tools rather than infrastructure.

At its core, the server exposes a dynamic registry of “tools” that an AI assistant can invoke. When a tool is annotated, Mcp‑C automatically creates a JSON schema that describes the tool’s input and output types. It also produces C functions to serialize and deserialize these structures using cJSON, ensuring that the data exchanged between the assistant and the server is both type‑safe and self‑documenting. The generated function aggregates all tool definitions into a single JSON payload, which the MCP client can query to discover available capabilities on demand.

Key features include:

• Automatic schema generation – From annotated enums and structs, Mcp‑C builds a comprehensive JSON schema that captures types, required fields, and descriptions.
• Zero‑boilerplate serialization – The framework emits C code that marshals structs to JSON and back, relieving developers from hand‑crafting tedious parsing logic.
• Tool registration via macros – Functions can be exposed as MCP tools with a single annotation, simplifying the integration process.
• Cross‑platform build support – The project relies on standard tools (CMake, Clang) and optional Vcpkg for Windows, making it straightforward to compile on Linux, macOS, or Windows.

Real‑world scenarios for Mcp‑C include building custom data pipelines where an AI assistant needs to query or update structured datasets, creating domain‑specific reasoning engines that expose complex operations as MCP tools, and rapidly prototyping new services for chatbots that must adhere to a strict type contract. Because the server generates JSON schemas automatically, developers can immediately share tool definitions with AI clients without manual documentation.

By abstracting away the repetitive parts of MCP server development, Mcp‑C empowers C developers to deliver robust, type‑safe AI integrations faster and with fewer errors. The result is a scalable server that can grow alongside an organization’s evolving AI workflows while keeping the codebase maintainable and developer‑friendly.