Question 1

What is an MCP server?

Accepted Answer

MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers are packages that expose tools, resources, and prompts to AI assistants. They let an AI agent actually do things — read files, query databases, call APIs — instead of just generating text.

Question 2

How do I install an MCP server?

Accepted Answer

Run pharos install <server-name> in your terminal. The CLI downloads the server, verifies its integrity hash, and wires it into your MCP config.

Question 3

Are these MCP packages free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every package in the Pharos registry is free to install and use. Most are MIT-licensed.

Question 4

Do I need to install Pharos to use MCP servers?

Accepted Answer

No. But Pharos makes it easier — version control, integrity verification, search, and audit.

Question 5

How do I publish my MCP server to Pharos?

Accepted Answer

Run pharos publish ./my-server from your package directory. You need a GitHub-linked account.

Question 6

What does pharos audit do?

Accepted Answer

It checks installed packages against the registry for known issues — deprecated versions, broken dependencies, hash mismatches.

Question 7

How do AI agents discover MCP services?

Accepted Answer

Through the Pharos Agent SDK. An agent calls agent.search(query), gets ranked results, and can install and connect in code.

Question 8

What is the embedded OAuth flow?

Accepted Answer

When an MCP server requires authentication, the agent handles the OAuth flow inline. The user sees a consent prompt in their chat interface.

Question 9

What does the verified badge mean?

Accepted Answer

A verified package has a namespace backed by a GitHub account. The publisher proved ownership of their GitHub identity.

Question 10

How does Pharos handle package security?

Accepted Answer

Every package version has a SHA-512 integrity hash. Artifacts are object-locked in storage. The CLI binary is signed.

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