{
 "id": "mcp-dns-discovery",
 "name": "Discovery of Model Context Protocol Servers via DNS TXT Records",
 "acronym": "",
 "aliases": [
  "MCP DNS Discovery",
  "draft-morrison-mcp-dns-discovery"
 ],
 "collisions": [],
 "step": "discover",
 "parties": [
  "agent-site",
  "agent-registry"
 ],
 "form": "dns-record",
 "track": "ietf",
 "scope": "general",
 "question": "How can a client discover an MCP server's endpoint, the operating organisation's identity, and a signed ~handle identity envelope using DNS TXT records under a domain?",
 "analog": "DKIM/DMARC-style underscore-labelled TXT records for MCP server discovery",
 "origin": {
  "org": "Alter Meridian Pty Ltd (B. Morrison)",
  "date": null
 },
 "governance": "Individual Internet-Draft by a single author; not adopted by an IETF working group per the page text (Network Working Group, Intended Status: Informational).",
 "native_status": "Internet-Draft, Intended Status: Informational; expires 12 April 2027",
 "phase": "draft",
 "implementation": "unknown",
 "adoption": {
  "level": "unmeasured",
  "by": null,
  "probe_run": null
 },
 "version": {
  "label": "draft-morrison-mcp-dns-discovery-08",
  "date": "2026-10-09"
 },
 "spec_url": "https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-morrison-mcp-dns-discovery-08",
 "discovery": {
  "mechanism": "DNS TXT records at _mcp.<domain>, _org-alter.<domain> and _alter.<domain>; DNSSEC required for the envelope record, DANE TLSA pin on the MCP endpoint where required",
  "path": "_mcp.<domain>"
 },
 "probe": {
  "method": "DNS TXT query",
  "path": "_mcp.<domain>",
  "parse": "Parse the semicolon-delimited key=value TXT record (endpoint URL, protocol family, transport, key, capability profile); optionally query _org-alter.<domain> and _alter.<domain>",
  "on_absent": "Treat the domain as not advertising MCP discovery via DNS (NXDOMAIN or no TXT record)"
 },
 "evidence": [
  {
   "claim": "The Internet-Draft defines three DNS TXT records (_mcp, _org-alter, _alter) for MCP server discovery, organisational identity, and a signed Ed25519 handle envelope, with Informational intended status and expiry on 12 April 2027.",
   "label": "REPORTED",
   "url": "https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-morrison-mcp-dns-discovery-08",
   "date": "2026-10-09"
  }
 ],
 "summary_md": "This Internet-Draft defines three DNS TXT records: `_mcp.<domain>` for MCP server endpoint, transport, key and capability profile; `_org-alter.<domain>` for operator organisational identity; and `_alter.<domain>` for an Ed25519-signed ~handle envelope. DNSSEC validation is required for the envelope record, and a DANE TLSA pin is required on the MCP endpoint in some cases. It follows the DKIM, SPF, DMARC and MTA-STS precedent and discusses related DNS-based discovery drafts (AGENT-AID, DNS-AID, MDNS-AGENT).",
 "part_of": null,
 "group": null,
 "candidate": true,
 "confidence": 0.8,
 "use_cases": [
  "discover-my-api",
  "expose-tools-to-agents",
  "prove-agent-identity"
 ],
 "audience": [
  "agent-builder",
  "platform",
  "standards-body"
 ],
 "pairs_with": [
  "mcp",
  "dns-aid",
  "aid"
 ],
 "prerequisites": [
  "mcp"
 ],
 "dispute": null,
 "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
 "history": [
  {
   "date": "2026-10-16",
   "note": "auto-drafted candidate from exa (https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-morrison-mcp-dns-discovery-08)"
  }
 ],
 "watch": [
  {
   "type": "page",
   "url": "https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-morrison-mcp-dns-discovery-08"
  }
 ],
 "freshness": "current"
}