The Stack Overflow Model Context Protocol Server (“MCP Service,” “MCP,” or the “Service”) is owned and operated by Stack Exchange, Inc. (“Stack Overflow”, “Stack,” or “we/us”), a Delaware corporation. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, all access and use of the MCP Service is governed exclusively by these Stack Overflow MCP Terms of Use (the “Terms”). By accessing or using MCP, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read these Terms carefully before proceeding. If you do not agree, or do not have the authority to agree to these Terms, do not access or use the MCP Service.

The Stack Overflow MCP Service allows users to programmatically connect to and query the Stack Exchange Network, including Stack Overflow posts, user-generated content, and metadata. We are always improving our products and services, and may add or remove features, products, or functionalities at any time. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the MCP Service, with or without notice, in whole or in part, at any time, with no liability to you or any third party. All future releases and updates to the Service will be subject to these Terms, which we may update from time to time, in our sole discretion. You agree to check back here periodically to make sure you have read and understand the current version of the Terms in effect.

Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms, “Applications” are code, programs, or other interfaces which connect to the MCP Service. All other defined terms, including “Stack Overflow Content,” have the same meaning as they do in the Stack Overflow Public Network Terms of Service.

Accessing & Using MCP

While accessing and/or using the MCP Service, you must comply with the following restrictions and obligations at all times. Stack Overflow may monitor or audit your access to ensure compliance with these Terms. Failure to comply may result in repercussions ranging from suspension or termination of your access to MCP and other Stack products and services, to legal action.

• No Direct or Indirect Model Training
  You may not use the MCP Service to train, fine-tune, or improve machine-learning models, including large language models (LLMs), without separate written permission from Stack Overflow. Furthermore, you will not permit any tools or platforms that access MCP —such as IDEs, extensions, or AI agents— to use the Service to train or improve their own models, products, or services.

• No Persistent or Competitive Usage
  The MCP Service is for realtime access to Stack Overflow Content only. You may not use the MCP Service for the long-term or programmatic storage, indexing, or caching of Stack Overflow Content, or to create any solution, service, product, or application that competes with, or could act as a substitute or replacement for, the MCP Service, the Stack Overflow Content, and/or the Stack Overflow Network.

• Rate Limitation
  Access to the MCP Service is limited to 100 requests per user per day. Any technical attempts to exceed or subvert this rate limit will be considered a willful breach of these governing Terms and may result in suspension, termination, and/or legal action against you. Stack Overflow may monitor and modify this rate limit at any time, in our sole discretion, to ensure fair use and system performance.

• Attribution
  All Applications you create using or for use with the MCP Service must visually indicate that the Stack Exchange Network is the source of any Stack Overflow Content provided through the MCP Service. Applications which may in any way be indexed by search engines must adhere to all Attribution rules defined in the Stack Overflow Public Network Terms of Service. For applications that lack access to web browsing services, simple text versions of URLs (instead of hyperlinks) will be sufficient. Exceptions to these attribution rules must be requested in advance of deploying any Applications.

Stack Overflow Trademark and Brand Guidelines

Stack Overflow logos, branding, and other copyrighted content returned by the API may be used unmodified for the purposes of identification (i.e., identifying content on Stack Overflow with the Stack Overflow logo). Other uses of Stack Overflow marks are subject to the Stack Exchange Trademark Guidelines.

Termination

Stack Overflow may terminate or suspend any and all access to the MCP Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, if you breach any part of these Terms, in the sole discretion of Stack Overflow. Upon termination of access, your right to use the MCP Service will immediately cease.