---
name: preferred-mcp-instance
description: "Names which MCP connector instance this project should default to when more than one of the same kind is installed, so parallel conversations don't collide — a plain preference, not a management system; commands: \"show me the MCPs\" and \"prefer [name]\". Use when a person asks to install or apply \"Preferred MCP Instance\" (FTR-31) in a project, or when working in a project that has it installed."
---

# Preferred MCP Instance (FTR-31, version 1.0)

> Generated from library record FTR-31 version 1.0, publish 20261102a. Review status: unreviewed. The complete specification is in references/spec.md and is the authority; this file is the operating procedure drawn from it.

## What this does

Names which MCP connector instance this project should default to when more than one of the same kind is installed, so parallel conversations don't collide — a plain preference, not a management system; commands: "show me the MCPs" and "prefer [name]"

## When to use this skill

- A person asks to install, apply or update "Preferred MCP Instance" (FTR-31) in a project.
- A project's agent instructions list preferred-mcp-instance as installed and the task touches what it covers.
- No other feature is required first.

## Install procedure

Steps run in order. Assess comes first, every question in the Ask step is answered by the person before anything is written, and every write merges additively into the existing project files (read the file first, update an existing section in place, never overwrite).

### Assess first
- Note which MCP connectors are currently visible in this session and, where the name doesn't already make it obvious, what kind of capability each one offers (filesystem access, desktop automation, or something else).
- Note whether more than one instance of the same kind is visible.
- Check whether `admin\AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` already has a `◆ PREFERRED MCP INSTANCE` section from a prior install.

### Ask, only if needed
- If two or more instances of the same kind are currently visible: mention it, and ask whether the person wants to set a preference now or skip it and set one later.
- If only zero or one instance is visible: nothing to ask — install the capability anyway (so it's ready once more instances exist) and note that there's currently nothing to prefer between.

### Write

The full Write payload is in references/write-payload.md. It is applied exactly as written, with the merge rule above.

### Confirm
Confirm: Preferred MCP Instance is set up. Say "show me the MCPs" anytime to see what's currently available, or "prefer [name]" to pin one for this project going forward. If a preference was set during this install, name it back: "This project currently prefers `[name]` for [kind] tasks."

## Files in this skill

- references/spec.md: the complete specification, unabridged.
- references/write-payload.md: the Write step on its own.