{"id":3774,"date":"2026-04-24T13:32:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T20:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/?p=3774"},"modified":"2026-04-24T13:32:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T20:32:49","slug":"azure-mcp-server-mcpb-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/azure-mcp-server-mcpb-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Azure MCP Server now available as an MCP Bundle (.mcpb)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;re excited to announce that the <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/azmcp\">Azure MCP Server<\/a> is now available as an <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/modelcontextprotocol\/mcpb\">MCP Bundle<\/a> (<code>.mcpb<\/code>). This means you can install the Azure MCP Server into <a href=\"https:\/\/claude.com\/download\">Claude Desktop<\/a> and other MCP-compatible clients with minimum setup\u2014no Node.js, Python, or .NET runtime required.<\/p>\n<h2>What are MCP Bundles?<\/h2>\n<p>MCP Bundles are a portable packaging format for MCP servers. Think of them like browser extensions (<code>.crx<\/code>) or VS Code extensions (<code>.vsix<\/code>), but for <a href=\"https:\/\/modelcontextprotocol.io\">Model Context Protocol<\/a> servers. Each bundle is a ZIP archive containing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <code>manifest.json<\/code> file describing the server&#8217;s metadata, tools, and runtime requirements.<\/li>\n<li>The server binary and all of its dependencies\u2014everything needed to run the server on a specific platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The key benefit is simplicity. End users don&#8217;t need to install any runtimes, manage dependencies, or write configuration files. You download a <code>.mcpb<\/code> file, open it in a supported client, and the server is ready to use.<\/p>\n<h2>Why MCP Bundles matter for Azure MCP Server users<\/h2>\n<p>Until now, using the Azure MCP Server required one of the following runtimes:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Method<\/th>\n<th>Runtime required<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>npm\/npx<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Node.js<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>pip\/uvx<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Python<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>dotnet<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>.NET SDK<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Docker<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Docker Engine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>MCP Bundles change this paradigm by providing a self-contained binary that <strong>doesn&#8217;t require any additional runtime<\/strong>. This format is one of the easiest ways to get started with the Azure MCP Server, especially for users who aren&#8217;t developers or don&#8217;t want to manage runtimes.<\/p>\n<h2>Get started in three steps<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Download the MCP Bundle for your platform<\/h3>\n<p>Go to the <strong>MCP Bundles<\/strong> section of the latest release post <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/microsoft\/mcp\/releases?q=Azure.Mcp.Server\">on GitHub<\/a> page. To download the corresponding <code>.mcpb<\/code> file, select the link that matches your operating system and architecture.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-download.png\" alt=\"Download page\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>2. Install in Claude Desktop<\/h3>\n<h4>Drag and drop installation (recommended)<\/h4>\n<p>The easiest way to install is to <strong>drag and drop the <code>.mcpb<\/code> file into the Claude Desktop window<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the hamburger menu (\u2630) in the top left of Claude Desktop.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-hamburger.png\" alt=\"Hamburger menu\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Go to <strong>File<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Settings<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Extensions<\/strong>.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-file-settings.png\" alt=\"File and settings\" \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-extensions.png\" alt=\"Extensions page\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Drag and drop the downloaded bundle into the <strong>Extensions<\/strong> page to install.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-drag-drop.png\" alt=\"Drag and drop\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Review the server details and select <strong>Install<\/strong>.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-review.png\" alt=\"Review server details\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Install<\/strong> again in the pop-up dialog.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-install.png\" alt=\"Install dialog\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Once the server is installed, the <strong>Install<\/strong> button in the details pane changes to <strong>Uninstall<\/strong> and the server shows as enabled.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-success.png\" alt=\"Installation successful\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Manual installation<\/h4>\n<p>If you prefer a manual installation, follow these steps instead:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>From the <strong>Extensions<\/strong> page, go to <strong>Advanced Settings<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Install Extension<\/strong>.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-advanced-settings.png\" alt=\"Advanced Settings\" \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-install-extension.png\" alt=\"Install Extension button\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Select the downloaded <code>.mcpb<\/code> file and select <strong>Preview<\/strong>.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-select-file.png\" alt=\"Select file\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Review the server details and select <strong>Install<\/strong>.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-review.png\" alt=\"Review server details\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Install<\/strong> again in the pop-up dialogue.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-install.png\" alt=\"Install dialogue\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Once the server is installed, the <strong>Install<\/strong> button in the details pane changes to <strong>Uninstall<\/strong> and the server shows as enabled.\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2026\/04\/05-04-azure-mcp-server-support-mcpb-success.png\" alt=\"Installation successful\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> You can also set Claude Desktop as the default app for <code>.mcpb<\/code> files, then simply double-click the bundle to install it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>3. Authenticate to Azure<\/h3>\n<p>The Azure MCP Server uses your Azure credentials, so make sure you&#8217;re signed in before using Azure tools. The easiest way is to run the following <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/cli\/azure\/get-started-with-azure-cli?view=azure-cli-latest\">Azure CLI<\/a> command in your terminal:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-bash\">az login<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>For more authentication options (managed identities, service principals, etc.), see the <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/microsoft\/mcp\/blob\/main\/docs\/Authentication.md\">Authentication guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>What you can do<\/h2>\n<p>Once installed, you have access to the full set of Azure MCP Server capabilities directly from your favorite client, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>100+ Azure service tools<\/strong>\u2014from Cosmos DB and Storage to Key Vault, App Service, and Microsoft Foundry<\/li>\n<li><strong>Azure CLI command generation<\/strong>\u2014get the right <code>az<\/code> commands for any task<\/li>\n<li><strong>Infrastructure guidance<\/strong>\u2014Bicep and Terraform template generation<\/li>\n<li><strong>Architecture design<\/strong>\u2014cloud architecture recommendations based on your requirements<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diagnostics<\/strong>\u2014resource health, monitoring, and troubleshooting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Try prompts like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;List all resource groups in my subscription&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Show me the secrets in my Key Vault named my-vault&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Generate a Bicep template for a web app with a SQL database&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;What Cosmos DB databases do I have?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How is the MCP Bundle different from the VS Code extension?<\/h2>\n<p>Both provide access to the same Azure MCP Server and its tools. The difference is the client:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Option<\/th>\n<th>Client<\/th>\n<th>Best for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>MCP Bundle<\/strong> (<code>.mcpb<\/code>)<\/td>\n<td>Claude Desktop<\/td>\n<td>Claude users who want a zero-config install<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>VS Code Extension<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>VS Code + GitHub Copilot<\/td>\n<td>Developers working in VS Code<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>npm\/npx<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Any MCP client<\/td>\n<td>Developers who already have Node.js<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>pip\/uvx<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Any MCP client<\/td>\n<td>Python developers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Docker<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Any MCP client<\/td>\n<td>CI\/CD pipelines and containerized environments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Choose whichever method fits your workflow. The same tools and capabilities are available regardless of how you install the server.<\/p>\n<h2>Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n<p>If you run into issues installing the bundle:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Make sure Claude Desktop is up to date<\/strong>\u2014download the latest version from <a href=\"https:\/\/claude.com\/download\">claude.com\/download<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verify you downloaded the correct platform<\/strong>\u2014for example, use the <code>osx-arm64<\/code> bundle on Apple Silicon Macs, not <code>osx-x64<\/code>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reinstall if needed<\/strong>\u2014in Claude Desktop, go to <strong>File<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Settings<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Extensions<\/strong>, uninstall the Azure MCP Server, and install the bundle again.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For more information, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/microsoft\/mcp\/blob\/main\/servers\/Azure.Mcp.Server\/TROUBLESHOOTING.md#mcpb-mcp-bundle-installation-issues\">Troubleshooting guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Get started today<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Download:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/microsoft\/mcp\/releases?q=Azure.Mcp.Server-\">GitHub Releases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>GitHub Repo:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/azmcp\">aka.ms\/azmcp<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Documentation:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/azmcp\/docs\">aka.ms\/azmcp\/docs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>VS Code Extension:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/azmcp\/download\/vscode\">aka.ms\/azmcp\/download\/vscode<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Create an Issue:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/azmcp\/issues\">aka.ms\/azmcp\/issues<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p>The Azure MCP Server is now available as an MCP Bundle, making it easier than ever to connect Claude Desktop to over 100 Azure services. Download the <code>.mcpb<\/code> for your platform, drag it into Claude Desktop, and start managing your Azure resources through natural language\u2014no runtimes, no configuration files, no friction. Try it out and <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/azmcp\/issues\">let us know what you think<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Azure MCP Server is now available as an MCP Bundle (.mcpb), enabling one-click installation into Claude Desktop and other MCP-compatible clients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":146282,"featured_media":3759,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[941,786,734,977,940,978],"class_list":["post-3774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-azure-sdk","tag-agents","tag-ai","tag-azure","tag-claude","tag-mcp","tag-mcpb"],"acf":[],"blog_post_summary":"<p>Azure MCP Server is now available as an MCP Bundle (.mcpb), enabling one-click installation into Claude Desktop and other MCP-compatible clients.<\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/146282"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3774"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3775,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3774\/revisions\/3775"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sdk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}