Having recently ventured into publishing my MCP server to the newly launched official MCP Registry, I’m keen to share my observations and spark a discussion within the development community regarding the evolving landscape of MCP distribution.

My journey with the mcp-publisher command-line interface, while ultimately successful, highlighted areas for improvement. The tool, in its current iteration, felt somewhat unpolished, with instances of preview instability necessitating multiple attempts. It conveyed the impression of early-stage software, which is understandable given its recent introduction.

This experience, however, brought a larger question to the forefront: in an ecosystem increasingly populated by robust private MCP catalogs, what unique value does the official registry offer today? We’ve seen the emergence of sophisticated platforms like Docker’s MCP Catalog, along with various other marketplaces and private registries. These established alternatives often present a more mature environment, boasting superior discovery features and seamless integration with popular MCP clients. Their battle-tested nature often translates into a smoother, more reliable user experience.

My curiosity extends to fellow developers who have engaged with both the official and private registry avenues. I’m eager to understand:

• Are you observing a significant boost in adoption for components published through the official registry?
• Does the inherent ‘official’ designation genuinely translate into increased usage or perceived credibility?
• Considering the effort involved, is prioritizing the official registry a worthwhile endeavor at this stage, or is it more strategic to focus resources on the more refined private catalogs?

While I’ve documented a comprehensive technical walkthrough of the publishing process, my primary interest lies in gathering real-world insights and experiences. Your perspectives are invaluable in understanding the strategic implications of these different distribution channels.

What’s your assessment? Are you leaning towards leveraging the official registry’s potential, or are you currently finding greater success and efficiency with the more established private options?