{"version":"2.1.304","anchor":"plugin-mcp-servers-can-be-lazily-deferred-by-default-for-som","canonical_anchor":"plugin-mcp-servers-can-be-lazily-deferred-by-default-for-som","heading":"Plugin MCP servers can be loaded later by default in some cases","tier":"notice","area":"MCP","scope":"individual","heads_up":true,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.304\/e\/plugin-mcp-servers-can-be-lazily-deferred-by-default-for-som","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.304","markdown":"### Plugin MCP servers can be loaded later by default in some cases\n\nPlugin MCP servers that don't set alwaysLoad can now be deferred until needed in some cases, not only those with alwaysLoad set to false\n\n**Unclear.** Which entry points this applies to, and what the further check tests, is not known, so it is unclear whose sessions are affected.\n\n**What**\n\nMCP servers are add-on programs that give Claude extra tools. Claude Code can defer a server, meaning hold off loading its tools until they are needed. Before, only servers whose `alwaysLoad` was explicitly set to false could be deferred.\n\nNow a local MCP server from a plugin that does not set `alwaysLoad` at all can also be deferred. All of these must hold:\n\n- Claude Code was started from one of a set of entry points, which is the way Claude Code was launched and is recorded in `CLAUDE_CODE_ENTRYPOINT`.\n\n- `CLAUDE_CODE_SKIP_PLUGIN_MCP_SERVERS` is not set.\n\n- A further internal check passes.\n\nSetting `alwaysLoad` to true on a server keeps it loaded from the start.\n\n**Why**\n\nThis changes which MCP tools Claude can see at the start of a session. A tool from a deferred server may not be listed until it is loaded.\n\n- Area: MCP\n- Names: `alwaysLoad`\n- Tier: You'll notice\n- Useful: 2\/5\n- Signal: 2\/5\n- Scope: individual\n- Heads-up: yes"}