# How to submit an MCP server to Claude Connectors Directory

By [Jonah Ease](https://manycp.com/about) Published 1 Oct 2026 Last checked 1 Oct 2026

A remote MCP server goes into the Claude Connectors Directory through a developer portal, and the first thing it does is connect to your server and read its tools[1]. Most rejections come from how the tools are shaped, not from the paperwork, so the review criteria matter as much as the form.

## Who can open the portal

- A paid Claude plan: Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise. Free accounts cannot submit[4].
- On Pro and Max you submit from your own account. On Team and Enterprise an Owner submits, and on Enterprise an Owner can grant the Directory permission to other members[4].
- Anthropic describes no partner programme to apply to first[4].

## The ten portal steps

At `claude.ai/directory/manage` you select Submit new and choose MCP connector. Progress saves in your browser as you move between steps[1] [5].

| Step | What it asks for |
| --- | --- |
| Connection | The server's `https://` URL, or a custom connector you already added |
| Tools | Nothing to type: tools, prompts and resources sync, and tools missing a title or annotation are flagged |
| Listing | Name (100 characters), one-liner (200), description (2,000), 1 to 5 categories, docs and privacy URLs, support contact, icon, URL slug (permanent) |
| Use cases | Main use cases, what users need first, read, write or both |
| Company | Company name, website, a primary contact |
| Authentication | OAuth (dynamic client registration, client ID metadata documents or an Anthropic-held client), a custom connection, or none |
| Data handling | Whose API it is; personal health data; sponsored content |
| Test & launch | Reviewer instructions and a fully populated test account; your confirmation that you ran every tool |
| Compliance | Seven acknowledgments, all required |
| Review and submit | A final look; quality warnings are shared with the review team |

Anthropic's submission page, read 1 Oct 2026 [1]

## What gets a connector rejected

- **One tool that both reads and writes.** A catch-all `api_request` with a `method` parameter is rejected; split it into read-only and write tools[2].
- **No annotation.** Every tool needs a `title` and a `readOnlyHint` or `destructiveHint` [2].
- **Generic errors.** "Internal Server Error" or "Bad Request" with no detail fails review[2].
- **Tool names over 64 characters**, or descriptions that tell Claude how to behave[2].
- **A local connector without a privacy policy** is rejected at once[1].

The shape reviewers look for on every tool

```
{
  "name": "get_order_status",
  "title": "Get order status",
  "annotations": { "readOnlyHint": true }
}
```

## Local servers go in a plugin

The directory no longer accepts local servers packaged as MCPB bundles; to distribute one, include it in a plugin[1]. Connectors that transfer money or generate images, video or audio with AI models are not accepted[2].

## After you submit

| Status | Who acts next |
| --- | --- |
| In review | Anthropic |
| Changes requested, Not approved | You: read the feedback, edit, resubmit |
| Approved | You click Publish |

Not every submission passes through every status: Anthropic scans each one automatically and by default lists it as a Community connector with no action from you; some also get a review by a person[3].

## By hand

All ten steps are yours: you sign in on a paid plan, you click Connect, you give the test account, and you tick the compliance boxes. OpenAI's directory has a similar but separate route; see [the OpenAI plugin directory](https://manycp.com/directories/openai-app-directory).

## Current status, 1 Oct 2026

Anthropic says review time is not fixed, and that the portal is always open for new submissions. For a connector that seems stuck, it gives one address: `mcp-review@anthropic.com` [3] [1].

## Sources

1. [Anthropic: Submit a connector to the directory](https://claude.com/docs/connectors/building/submission) · checked 1 Oct 2026
2. [Anthropic: Connector pre-submission checklist (review criteria)](https://claude.com/docs/connectors/building/review-criteria) · checked 1 Oct 2026
3. [Anthropic: Track your directory submission](https://claude.com/docs/directory/submission-status) · checked 1 Oct 2026
4. [Anthropic: Publish to the directory](https://claude.com/docs/directory/publish) · checked 1 Oct 2026
5. [Claude developer portal: manage submissions](https://claude.ai/directory/manage) · checked 1 Oct 2026

ManyCP is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any directory, Docker, OpenAI, Anthropic or GitHub named here. Names are used to say which service a fact is about.

---

Source: [ManyCP](https://manycp.com/directories/claude-connectors-directory)