Free External MCP Options

Purpose

This guide explains the free external MCP options that can help users understand this framework more easily.

It focuses on one core distinction:

• free external repo-context MCP
• local operational sdd-mcp

Quick answer

If you want a free external MCP today, the simplest option is:

• GitMCP

Use it for:

• public repository understanding
• documentation discovery
• diffusion and demos

Do not use it as a replacement for:

• local SDD operations
• project file writes
• your own framework behavior

Comparison map

flowchart LR
  A["Need free external MCP"] --> B["Use GitMCP"]
  A --> C["Need real SDD operations"]
  C --> D["Use local sdd-mcp"]
  B --> E["Remote repo understanding"]
  D --> F["Local guided execution"]

Option 1: GitMCP

What it is:

• a free repo-context MCP for public GitHub repositories

What it is good for:

• letting AI read and understand this repository remotely
• helping the AI understand public docs and templates
• giving you a fast external MCP story for adoption

What it is not for:

• writing files inside the user’s local project
• replacing sdd-mcp
• exposing your own custom tool contracts as a hosted product

For this repository, the idea is:

• GitHub repo: https://github.com/juanklagos/spec-driven-development-template
• GitMCP version: https://gitmcp.io/juanklagos/spec-driven-development-template

Option 2: Your own hosted onboarding MCP

What it is:

• a future external MCP you control
• focused on prompts, docs, structure, and onboarding

What it is good for:

• your own product surface
• your own prompts and resources
• a branded onboarding experience

What it still should not replace:

• local operational writes in the user’s project

Recommended use by audience

For public discovery

• use GitMCP

For framework onboarding

• use this repository docs + GitMCP

For real work on a project

• use local sdd-mcp

For future product maturity

• combine GitMCP or similar with your own hosted onboarding MCP and local sdd-mcp

User-friendly explanation

If you only need the AI to understand this public repository better, a free external MCP like GitMCP is enough.
If you need the AI to guide the real SDD workflow and work with project files, you still need the framework's own MCP behavior.

Next guide

If you want the exact step-by-step connection flow for this repository, continue with How to Connect This Repository with GitMCP.