Start with a truthful identity.
Choose a name, description, maintainer, package, endpoint, and capability summary that a reader can compare with the server they are about to run. Avoid generic descriptions such as execute or assistant. State the actual data sources, side effects, required credentials, and supported transports.
The metadata should help a client and a human distinguish the official server from similarly named packages. Link to the source repository, documentation, issue channel, and release history when those are available.
Treat the registry as discovery, not certification.
A registry can make metadata searchable and support package verification, but a listing does not remove the need for code review or permission review. Check the repository owner, release process, dependencies, credential handling, and tool behavior before installing or connecting a server.
The current registry is evolving, so label preview behavior and link to current documentation. Do not promise that a registry entry, package name, or verification mechanism will remain unchanged without checking the latest policy.
Version the capability contract, not only the package.
A change to a tool name, input schema, result shape, authentication flow, or write behavior can break a client even when the process still starts. Record these changes in release notes, test them with supported clients, and provide a migration path when the contract changes.
Keep a small compatibility matrix for transports, client configurations, credentials, and important tools. That matrix is more useful than a version number alone because it tells a maintainer what a reader can safely expect.
Publish a maintenance promise.
Tell users how security issues are reported, how releases are made, which dependencies are supported, and how an outdated client can recognize an incompatible server. A server that exposes a write-capable tool needs a faster and clearer response path than a static reference example.
Before publishing, run discovery, successful calls, denied calls, expired credentials, upstream failure, and rollback tests. Keep the source links and review date current so readers can see whether the instructions still match the server.
Related service for this problem
Agent-Readiness Review
Check discovery, schemas, authentication, errors, and maintenance before wider distribution.