Build your first MCP Server: Hands-On Workshop 🛠️ @Brisbane
Details
Ever wondered how Claude AI accesses your files, searches your codebase, or connects to external services? The answer is Model Context Protocol (MCP) and you're going to build one yourself.
What you'll learn in this hands-on workshop:
- 💡 Understand what MCP is and why it's a game-changer for AI integration
- 🐍 Build a working MCP server from scratch using Python
- 🔌 Connect Claude AI to read local files and search through them
- 🔗 Learn patterns for integrating any API or data source with AI
- 🏠 Take home a fully functional project you can extend
We will be running a couple of demo, and hands-on sessions, more links / QR Codes for Github Repos will be provided while the workshop happens; The below is the agenda:
> 5:00 - 5:30p [30m]: Registration & Networking
> 5:30 - 5:40p [10m]: Pavel Introduction to Build Club and to ourselves
> 5:40 - 6:25p [45m]: Ella Presentation: Build Your First MCP Server: A Hands‑On Introduction
> 6:25 - 6:35p [10m]: Break
> 6:35 - 8:00p [1h 25m]: Michael Presentation: From Local to Production. Deploying an MCP Agent on AWS Bedrock AgentCore
> 8:00 - 8:05p [5m]: Feedback Form Filling
> 8:05 - 8:20p [15m]: Photo Session & Networking
> 8:20 - 8:30p [10m]: Wrap Up & Clean Up
But one thing that is very certain is, the speakers have already confirmed the dependencies and software accounts needed for this workshop, namely:
- For Ella: Python IDE; python pip uv; Flask server; Code Editor that supports MCP (Cursor, VS Code, etc...)
- For Michael: Same to the above, we will be running Jupyter Notebook so Python IDE is needed; aws account; run `aws configure` in your terminal, and make sure it is signed in with aws account
We know the installation process could be exhausting for you if you have no any prior experience, we have very kind volunteers that can provide support during the workshop session. So try your best, but be sure not to be overwhelmed!
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🤝 Who Should Attend?
This workshop is perfect for: Devs, engineers, tech enthusiasts or anyone curious about AI
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🤩 What to Bring:
- Laptop with Python 3.10+ installed (we'll use `uv` for easy setup)
- Curiosity and questions!
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🤩 We'll provide:
- Starter code repositories 🐙😺
- Step-by-step guidance 👨🏻🏫
- Snacks and drinks 🍕
- A supportive community to learn with 🤝
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🗓️ Workshop Format:
- Duration: 2 hours
- Style: Live coding together - we build, you build!
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🧱 What You'll Build:
A Local File Assistant MCP server that lets Claude AI:
- Read files from your computer
- Search through documents
- Answer questions about your local content
### 💥 Important
Spots are limited!
Meet the people behind this event:
Speakers
Michael Kingston - ML Engineer at Enigma Technology, PhD student at UNSW (computer science and engineering) and proud dad of two.
Ella Ferreira - Software Engineer delivering AI powered solutions, leading platform migrations at scale using React, TS, Node.js and LangChain and Community Organiser at Build Club Brisbane.
Tech Volunteers
Mehrnaz Hesari - Full stack developer across React, TS, Python and FastAPI with AWS experience in AI automation and blockchain, CS graduate from QUT.
Brent Tudas - Creator of [Pitchtalks.co](http://pitchtalks.co/), Community Organiser at Build Club Gold Coast and Software Engineer.
Duy Vu Ngo - Senior Data Engineer in Queensland Government with Power BI, Azure and Databricks expertise.
Jernej Kavka (JK) - Microsoft AI MVP, SSW Solution Architect specialising in Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services and Intelligent Agents.
👱🏻 Consent on Being Involved in Image or Recording
This session will be fully recorded with the online streaming recording platforms & photos/videos will be taken. Any attendee who has concern with being involved in the media taken from others shall raise out to any of the city leads (Pavel, Ella, Jax) in advance. Otherwise (if you do not explicitly talk about your concern to us), we will take this for granted while you register and show up on this event.
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🛠️ About Build Club
Build Club is a global community of makers, developers, and innovators who believe in the power of learning by building. From hackathons to weekly co-building sessions, we connect people who want to explore ideas, ship products fast, and grow their skills through hands-on collaboration.
We’re here to create an environment where experimentation meets community, helping each other go from “just an idea” to something real that works in the world.
Any questions? Send us a message!