From: aidotengineer
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) ecosystem, while exciting, faces several challenges for its users, particularly regarding fragmentation and installation friction [02:47:04]. These are part of the broader problems faced by MCP developers and challenges in the MCP ecosystem identified by Henry, CEO of Smithery and a member of the MCP steering committee [00:23:38].
User Problems in the MCP Ecosystem
The MCP ecosystem, along with new services targeting AI agents, has introduced a range of new issues for users [02:34:00].
Fragmentation
One significant issue is fragmentation [02:48:06]. An increasing number of MCP servers are being deployed daily, making it difficult for users to locate high-quality ones [02:50:08]. The MCP committee is actively addressing this by developing an official registry [02:56:49]. However, merely having a registry does not fully resolve the problem; determining how to assign reputation to high-quality MCPs remains an open question [03:06:05].
High Friction Installation
Another problem encountered by MCP users is the high friction associated with installation [03:14:02]. Many MCP GitHub repositories feature a five-step installation process, which complicates setup [03:16:04]. Beyond the installation difficulty, there is also the risk of installing an insecure MCP [03:25:21].