Support default-disabled MCP servers in plugins

[michael-wojcik]

Summary

Plugins that ship a .mcp.json file get their MCP servers auto-enabled on install. There's currently no way to ship an MCP server that appears in the /plugin UI as a toggleable sub-item but defaults to disabled.

Use Case

The PACT plugin includes an optional Telegram notification bridge as an MCP server. It's useful for users who want it, but most users don't need it. Today the options are:

1. Include .mcp.json — Server appears in /plugin UI (great for discoverability), but auto-enables on install (unwanted overhead for non-users)
2. Omit .mcp.json — Server is invisible in /plugin UI (poor discoverability), but doesn't auto-enable (correct default)

Neither option gives the ideal UX: visible in the UI, toggleable, but off by default.

Proposal

Support a defaultEnabled (or enabled) field in .mcp.json server entries:

{
  "pact-telegram": {
    "command": "python3",
    "args": ["-m", "telegram"],
    "cwd": "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}",
    "defaultEnabled": false
  }
}

When defaultEnabled: false:

• Server appears in /plugin UI as a toggleable sub-item
• Server does not auto-start on install or session start
• User can enable it via Space toggle in /plugin
• Once toggled on, the user's preference persists across sessions

Related

• Add enabled parameter to disable MCP servers by default in Claude Desktop config modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol#1580
• [FEATURE] Disabling MCP tool context in default, but enabling for subagents #7289

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. Support per-MCP-server startDisabled option #23411
2. Feature Request: disabled option for MCP servers in .mcp.json #17921
3. disabled: true flag in mcpServers should set default state for new projects #15159

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[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically closed as a duplicate of #23411.

If this is incorrect, please re-open this issue or create a new one.

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.