Backport: Support for Resource and ResourceTemplate metadata (#1928)

Co-authored-by: Jacem Elwaar <jacem@mcpappsbuilders.com>

src/mcp/server/fastmcp/resources/base.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """Base classes and interfaces for FastMCP resources."""
 
 import abc
-from typing import Annotated
+from typing import Annotated, Any
 
 from pydantic import (
     AnyUrl,
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class Resource(BaseModel, abc.ABC):
     )
     icons: list[Icon] | None = Field(default=None, description="Optional list of icons for this resource")
     annotations: Annotations | None = Field(default=None, description="Optional annotations for the resource")
+    meta: dict[str, Any] | None = Field(default=None, description="Optional metadata for this resource")
 
     @field_validator("name", mode="before")
     @classmethod

src/mcp/server/fastmcp/resources/resource_manager.py

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ class ResourceManager:
         mime_type: str | None = None,
         icons: list[Icon] | None = None,
         annotations: Annotations | None = None,
+        meta: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     ) -> ResourceTemplate:
         """Add a template from a function."""
         template = ResourceTemplate.from_function(
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ class ResourceManager:
             mime_type=mime_type,
             icons=icons,
             annotations=annotations,
+            meta=meta,
         )
         self._templates[template.uri_template] = template
         return template

src/mcp/server/fastmcp/resources/templates.py

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class ResourceTemplate(BaseModel):
     mime_type: str = Field(default="text/plain", description="MIME type of the resource content")
     icons: list[Icon] | None = Field(default=None, description="Optional list of icons for the resource template")
     annotations: Annotations | None = Field(default=None, description="Optional annotations for the resource template")
+    meta: dict[str, Any] | None = Field(default=None, description="Optional metadata for this resource template")
     fn: Callable[..., Any] = Field(exclude=True)
     parameters: dict[str, Any] = Field(description="JSON schema for function parameters")
     context_kwarg: str | None = Field(None, description="Name of the kwarg that should receive context")
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ class ResourceTemplate(BaseModel):
         mime_type: str | None = None,
         icons: list[Icon] | None = None,
         annotations: Annotations | None = None,
+        meta: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
         context_kwarg: str | None = None,
     ) -> ResourceTemplate:
         """Create a template from a function."""
@@ -74,6 +76,7 @@ class ResourceTemplate(BaseModel):
             mime_type=mime_type or "text/plain",
             icons=icons,
             annotations=annotations,
+            meta=meta,
             fn=fn,
             parameters=parameters,
             context_kwarg=context_kwarg,
@@ -112,6 +115,7 @@ class ResourceTemplate(BaseModel):
                 mime_type=self.mime_type,
                 icons=self.icons,
                 annotations=self.annotations,
+                meta=self.meta,
                 fn=lambda: result,  # Capture result in closure
             )
         except Exception as e:

src/mcp/server/fastmcp/resources/types.py

@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ class FunctionResource(Resource):
         mime_type: str | None = None,
         icons: list[Icon] | None = None,
         annotations: Annotations | None = None,
+        meta: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     ) -> "FunctionResource":
         """Create a FunctionResource from a function."""
         func_name = name or fn.__name__
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ class FunctionResource(Resource):
             fn=fn,
             icons=icons,
             annotations=annotations,
+            meta=meta,
         )
 
 

src/mcp/server/fastmcp/server.py

@@ -358,6 +358,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
                 mimeType=resource.mime_type,
                 icons=resource.icons,
                 annotations=resource.annotations,
+                _meta=resource.meta,
             )
             for resource in resources
         ]
@@ -373,6 +374,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
                 mimeType=template.mime_type,
                 icons=template.icons,
                 annotations=template.annotations,
+                _meta=template.meta,
             )
             for template in templates
         ]
@@ -387,7 +389,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
 
         try:
             content = await resource.read()
-            return [ReadResourceContents(content=content, mime_type=resource.mime_type)]
+            return [ReadResourceContents(content=content, mime_type=resource.mime_type, meta=resource.meta)]
         except Exception as e:  # pragma: no cover
             logger.exception(f"Error reading resource {uri}")
             raise ResourceError(str(e))
@@ -539,6 +541,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
         mime_type: str | None = None,
         icons: list[Icon] | None = None,
         annotations: Annotations | None = None,
+        meta: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     ) -> Callable[[AnyFunction], AnyFunction]:
         """Decorator to register a function as a resource.
 
@@ -557,6 +560,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
             title: Optional human-readable title for the resource
             description: Optional description of the resource
             mime_type: Optional MIME type for the resource
+            meta: Optional metadata dictionary for the resource
 
         Example:
             @server.resource("resource://my-resource")
@@ -615,6 +619,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
                     mime_type=mime_type,
                     icons=icons,
                     annotations=annotations,
+                    meta=meta,
                 )
             else:
                 # Register as regular resource
@@ -627,6 +632,7 @@ class FastMCP(Generic[LifespanResultT]):
                     mime_type=mime_type,
                     icons=icons,
                     annotations=annotations,
+                    meta=meta,
                 )
                 self.add_resource(resource)
             return fn

src/mcp/server/lowlevel/helper_types.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Any
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -7,3 +8,4 @@ class ReadResourceContents:
 
     content: str | bytes
     mime_type: str | None = None
+    meta: dict[str, Any] | None = None

src/mcp/server/lowlevel/server.py

@@ -338,19 +338,23 @@ class Server(Generic[LifespanResultT, RequestT]):
             async def handler(req: types.ReadResourceRequest):
                 result = await func(req.params.uri)
 
-                def create_content(data: str | bytes, mime_type: str | None):
+                def create_content(data: str | bytes, mime_type: str | None, meta: dict[str, Any] | None = None):
+                    # Note: ResourceContents uses Field(alias="_meta"), so we must use the alias key
+                    meta_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {"_meta": meta} if meta is not None else {}
                     match data:
                         case str() as data:
                             return types.TextResourceContents(
                                 uri=req.params.uri,
                                 text=data,
                                 mimeType=mime_type or "text/plain",
+                                **meta_kwargs,
                             )
                         case bytes() as data:  # pragma: no cover
                             return types.BlobResourceContents(
                                 uri=req.params.uri,
                                 blob=base64.b64encode(data).decode(),
                                 mimeType=mime_type or "application/octet-stream",
+                                **meta_kwargs,
                             )
 
                 match result:
@@ -364,7 +368,10 @@ class Server(Generic[LifespanResultT, RequestT]):
                         content = create_content(data, None)
                     case Iterable() as contents:
                         contents_list = [
-                            create_content(content_item.content, content_item.mime_type) for content_item in contents
+                            create_content(
+                                content_item.content, content_item.mime_type, getattr(content_item, "meta", None)
+                            )
+                            for content_item in contents
                         ]
                         return types.ServerResult(
                             types.ReadResourceResult(

tests/server/fastmcp/resources/test_function_resources.py

@@ -155,3 +155,38 @@ class TestFunctionResource:
         assert resource.mime_type == "text/plain"
         assert resource.name == "test"
         assert resource.uri == AnyUrl("function://test")
+
+
+class TestFunctionResourceMetadata:
+    def test_from_function_with_metadata(self):
+        # from_function() accepts meta dict and stores it on the resource for static resources
+
+        def get_data() -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return "test data"
+
+        metadata = {"cache_ttl": 300, "tags": ["data", "readonly"]}
+
+        resource = FunctionResource.from_function(
+            fn=get_data,
+            uri="resource://data",
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        assert resource.meta is not None
+        assert resource.meta == metadata
+        assert resource.meta["cache_ttl"] == 300
+        assert "data" in resource.meta["tags"]
+        assert "readonly" in resource.meta["tags"]
+
+    def test_from_function_without_metadata(self):
+        # meta parameter is optional and defaults to None for backward compatibility
+
+        def get_data() -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return "test data"
+
+        resource = FunctionResource.from_function(
+            fn=get_data,
+            uri="resource://data",
+        )
+
+        assert resource.meta is None

tests/server/fastmcp/resources/test_resource_manager.py

@@ -134,3 +134,43 @@ class TestResourceManager:
         resources = manager.list_resources()
         assert len(resources) == 2
         assert resources == [resource1, resource2]
+
+
+class TestResourceManagerMetadata:
+    """Test ResourceManager Metadata"""
+
+    def test_add_template_with_metadata(self):
+        """Test that ResourceManager.add_template() accepts and passes meta parameter."""
+
+        manager = ResourceManager()
+
+        def get_item(id: str) -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return f"Item {id}"
+
+        metadata = {"source": "database", "cached": True}
+
+        template = manager.add_template(
+            fn=get_item,
+            uri_template="resource://items/{id}",
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        assert template.meta is not None
+        assert template.meta == metadata
+        assert template.meta["source"] == "database"
+        assert template.meta["cached"] is True
+
+    def test_add_template_without_metadata(self):
+        """Test that ResourceManager.add_template() works without meta parameter."""
+
+        manager = ResourceManager()
+
+        def get_item(id: str) -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return f"Item {id}"
+
+        template = manager.add_template(
+            fn=get_item,
+            uri_template="resource://items/{id}",
+        )
+
+        assert template.meta is None

tests/server/fastmcp/resources/test_resource_template.py

@@ -258,3 +258,50 @@ class TestResourceTemplateAnnotations:
         # Verify the resource works correctly
         content = await resource.read()
         assert content == "Item 123"
+
+
+class TestResourceTemplateMetadata:
+    """Test ResourceTemplate meta handling."""
+
+    def test_template_from_function_with_metadata(self):
+        """Test that ResourceTemplate.from_function() accepts and stores meta parameter."""
+
+        def get_user(user_id: str) -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return f"User {user_id}"
+
+        metadata = {"requires_auth": True, "rate_limit": 100}
+
+        template = ResourceTemplate.from_function(
+            fn=get_user,
+            uri_template="resource://users/{user_id}",
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        assert template.meta is not None
+        assert template.meta == metadata
+        assert template.meta["requires_auth"] is True
+        assert template.meta["rate_limit"] == 100
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_template_created_resources_inherit_metadata(self):
+        """Test that resources created from templates inherit meta from template."""
+
+        def get_item(item_id: str) -> str:
+            return f"Item {item_id}"
+
+        metadata = {"category": "inventory", "cacheable": True}
+
+        template = ResourceTemplate.from_function(
+            fn=get_item,
+            uri_template="resource://items/{item_id}",
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        # Create a resource from the template
+        resource = await template.create_resource("resource://items/123", {"item_id": "123"})
+
+        # The resource should inherit the template's metadata
+        assert resource.meta is not None
+        assert resource.meta == metadata
+        assert resource.meta["category"] == "inventory"
+        assert resource.meta["cacheable"] is True

tests/server/fastmcp/resources/test_resources.py

@@ -193,3 +193,41 @@ class TestAnnotationsValidation:
         # Invalid roles should raise validation error
         with pytest.raises(Exception):  # Pydantic validation error
             Annotations(audience=["invalid_role"])  # type: ignore
+
+
+class TestResourceMetadata:
+    """Test metadata field on base Resource class."""
+
+    def test_resource_with_metadata(self):
+        """Test that Resource base class accepts meta parameter."""
+
+        def dummy_func() -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return "data"
+
+        metadata = {"version": "1.0", "category": "test"}
+
+        resource = FunctionResource(
+            uri=AnyUrl("resource://test"),
+            name="test",
+            fn=dummy_func,
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        assert resource.meta is not None
+        assert resource.meta == metadata
+        assert resource.meta["version"] == "1.0"
+        assert resource.meta["category"] == "test"
+
+    def test_resource_without_metadata(self):
+        """Test that meta field defaults to None."""
+
+        def dummy_func() -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return "data"
+
+        resource = FunctionResource(
+            uri=AnyUrl("resource://test"),
+            name="test",
+            fn=dummy_func,
+        )
+
+        assert resource.meta is None

tests/server/fastmcp/test_server.py

@@ -953,6 +953,74 @@ class TestServerResourceTemplates:
             assert result.contents[0].text == "csv for bob"
 
 
+class TestServerResourceMetadata:
+    """Test FastMCP @resource decorator meta parameter for list operations.
+
+    Meta flows: @resource decorator -> resource/template storage -> list_resources/list_resource_templates.
+    Note: read_resource does NOT pass meta to protocol response (lowlevel/server.py only extracts content/mime_type).
+    """
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_resource_decorator_with_metadata(self):
+        """Test that @resource decorator accepts and passes meta parameter."""
+        # Tests static resource flow: decorator -> FunctionResource -> list_resources (server.py:544,635,361)
+        mcp = FastMCP()
+
+        metadata = {"ui": {"component": "file-viewer"}, "priority": "high"}
+
+        @mcp.resource("resource://config", meta=metadata)
+        def get_config() -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return '{"debug": false}'
+
+        resources = await mcp.list_resources()
+        assert len(resources) == 1
+        assert resources[0].meta is not None
+        assert resources[0].meta == metadata
+        assert resources[0].meta["ui"]["component"] == "file-viewer"
+        assert resources[0].meta["priority"] == "high"
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_resource_template_decorator_with_metadata(self):
+        """Test that @resource decorator passes meta to templates."""
+        # Tests template resource flow: decorator -> add_template() -> list_resource_templates (server.py:544,622,377)
+        mcp = FastMCP()
+
+        metadata = {"api_version": "v2", "deprecated": False}
+
+        @mcp.resource("resource://{city}/weather", meta=metadata)
+        def get_weather(city: str) -> str:  # pragma: no cover
+            return f"Weather for {city}"
+
+        templates = await mcp.list_resource_templates()
+        assert len(templates) == 1
+        assert templates[0].meta is not None
+        assert templates[0].meta == metadata
+        assert templates[0].meta["api_version"] == "v2"
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_read_resource_returns_meta(self):
+        """Test that read_resource includes meta in response."""
+        # Tests end-to-end: Resource.meta -> ReadResourceContents.meta -> protocol _meta (lowlevel/server.py:341,371)
+        mcp = FastMCP()
+
+        metadata = {"version": "1.0", "category": "config"}
+
+        @mcp.resource("resource://data", meta=metadata)
+        def get_data() -> str:
+            return "test data"
+
+        async with client_session(mcp._mcp_server) as client:
+            result = await client.read_resource(AnyUrl("resource://data"))
+
+            # Verify content and metadata in protocol response
+            assert isinstance(result.contents[0], TextResourceContents)
+            assert result.contents[0].text == "test data"
+            assert result.contents[0].meta is not None
+            assert result.contents[0].meta == metadata
+            assert result.contents[0].meta["version"] == "1.0"
+            assert result.contents[0].meta["category"] == "config"
+
+
 class TestContextInjection:
     """Test context injection in tools, resources, and prompts."""
 

tests/server/lowlevel/test_helper_types.py

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+"""Test helper_types.py meta field.
+
+These tests verify the changes made to helper_types.py:11 where we added:
+    meta: dict[str, Any] | None = field(default=None)
+
+ReadResourceContents is the return type for resource read handlers. It's used internally
+by the low-level server to package resource content before sending it over the MCP protocol.
+"""
+
+from mcp.server.lowlevel.helper_types import ReadResourceContents
+
+
+class TestReadResourceContentsMetadata:
+    """Test ReadResourceContents meta field.
+
+    ReadResourceContents is an internal helper type used by the low-level MCP server.
+    When a resource is read, the server creates a ReadResourceContents instance that
+    contains the content, mime type, and now metadata. The low-level server then
+    extracts the meta field and includes it in the protocol response as _meta.
+    """
+
+    def test_read_resource_contents_with_metadata(self):
+        """Test that ReadResourceContents accepts meta parameter."""
+        # Bridge between Resource.meta and MCP protocol _meta field (helper_types.py:11)
+        metadata = {"version": "1.0", "cached": True}
+
+        contents = ReadResourceContents(
+            content="test content",
+            mime_type="text/plain",
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        assert contents.meta is not None
+        assert contents.meta == metadata
+        assert contents.meta["version"] == "1.0"
+        assert contents.meta["cached"] is True
+
+    def test_read_resource_contents_without_metadata(self):
+        """Test that ReadResourceContents meta defaults to None."""
+        # Ensures backward compatibility - meta defaults to None, _meta omitted from protocol (helper_types.py:11)
+        contents = ReadResourceContents(
+            content="test content",
+            mime_type="text/plain",
+        )
+
+        assert contents.meta is None
+
+    def test_read_resource_contents_with_bytes(self):
+        """Test that ReadResourceContents works with bytes content and meta."""
+        # Verifies meta works with both str and bytes content (binary resources like images, PDFs)
+        metadata = {"encoding": "utf-8"}
+
+        contents = ReadResourceContents(
+            content=b"binary content",
+            mime_type="application/octet-stream",
+            meta=metadata,
+        )
+
+        assert contents.content == b"binary content"
+        assert contents.meta == metadata