MCP Server Hosting & Integration
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets AI assistants connect to external tools and data sources. But running MCP servers locally with Claude Desktop has limitations – they only work when your computer is on, and setting them up requires technical knowledge.
Zo gives you a better way to work with MCP: a cloud server where MCP tools run 24/7.
Beyond Claude Desktop MCP
Claude Desktop's MCP integration is powerful but constrained:
- Local only: MCP servers stop when your computer sleeps
- Manual setup: Editing config files, managing dependencies
- Single user: No way to share or collaborate
- No persistence: Context resets between sessions
On Zo, MCP servers run on your cloud computer:
- Always on: Your MCP tools work 24/7, even when your laptop is closed
- Easy setup: Ask Zo to set up any MCP server – it handles dependencies
- Shareable: Expose MCP endpoints for team use
- Persistent: Your data and context stay between sessions
MCP Server Tutorial: The Zo Way
Setting up an MCP server on Zo is simple:
- Tell Zo what MCP server you want to run
- Zo installs dependencies and configures the server
- The server runs as a service with a public endpoint
No manual config editing. No dependency management. No "it works on my machine" problems.
Common MCP Use Cases on Zo
File system MCP: Give AI access to your entire Zo workspace – documents, code, data files. Already built in.
Database MCP: Connect to SQLite, Postgres, or any database on your server. Query your data through natural language.
API MCP servers: Run MCP servers that connect to external services – GitHub, Notion, custom APIs.
Custom MCP tools: Build your own MCP servers and host them on your Zo.
MCP Gateway Capabilities
Zo acts as an MCP gateway – a central hub for your AI tools:
- Multiple servers: Run many MCP servers on one Zo
- Unified access: All your tools available through one interface
- Security: MCP servers run on your infrastructure, not third-party services
- Monitoring: See what your MCP tools are doing
n8n MCP Integration
Already using n8n for automation? You can self-host n8n on your Zo and connect it with MCP servers for powerful automation workflows.
The combination gives you:
- Visual workflow building (n8n)
- AI tool access (MCP)
- Natural language automation (Zo)
MCP Inspector Alternative
Debugging MCP servers locally with the MCP inspector requires running everything on your machine. On Zo:
- Test MCP servers in a real cloud environment
- See logs and debug output in real-time
- No local setup required
- Share debugging sessions with collaborators
The Infrastructure Advantage
MCP is designed for local development, but real applications need infrastructure:
- Uptime: MCP servers that stay running
- Scaling: Handle more requests than your laptop can
- Integration: Connect MCP with your existing systems
- Deployment: Move from prototype to production
Zo gives you that infrastructure out of the box.
Get Started
Ready to run MCP servers in the cloud? Try Zo Computer and set up your first MCP server in minutes.