Virtual MCP Server
Introduction
Virtual MCP Server (vMCP) is ToolHive's MCP gateway. It aggregates multiple backend MCP servers into a single endpoint, giving clients unified tool access, centralized authentication, and multi-step workflows — all through one connection.
Where to start
- Evaluating vMCP? Read Understanding Virtual MCP Server for the full picture of what it does and when it's the right fit.
- Ready to try it? Follow the Quickstart to deploy your first vMCP on a Kubernetes cluster.
- Already running vMCP? Jump to Configuration or Authentication.
Contents
📄️ Introduction to vMCP
Understand what Virtual MCP Server (vMCP) does and when to use it.
📄️ Quickstart
Learn how to aggregate multiple MCP servers into a single endpoint using Virtual MCP Server.
📄️ Configure vMCP servers
How to configure a Virtual MCP Server for common scenarios.
📄️ Backend discovery modes
Choose between discovered and inline backend discovery for Virtual MCP Server.
📄️ Authentication
Configure client and backend authentication for vMCP.
📄️ Tool aggregation and conflict resolution
How vMCP aggregates tools from multiple backend MCP servers and resolves naming conflicts.
📄️ Composite tools and workflows
Create multi-step workflows that span multiple backend MCP servers.
📄️ Optimize tool discovery
Enable the optimizer in vMCP to reduce token usage and improve tool selection across aggregated backends.
📄️ Failure handling
Configure circuit breaker and partial failure modes to handle backend failures gracefully.
📄️ Telemetry and metrics
How to enable OpenTelemetry traces and metrics for Virtual MCP Server.
📄️ Audit logging
Configure audit logging for Virtual MCP Server to meet security compliance requirements and track MCP operations.
📄️ Scaling and Performance
How to scale Virtual MCP Server deployments vertically and horizontally.