Many teams assume that simply running an MCP server on Google Cloud automatically gives them a complete audit trail, but without session recording they only see what the process writes, and any client that talks to it does so with a static credential that is often embedded in code or CI pipelines. That approach leaves every command and response invisible to security and compliance owners.
When engineers connect directly to an MCP endpoint, they typically use a service account key that lives in a secret manager or on a developer workstation. The connection bypasses any central control point, so there is no way to know who ran which query, what data was returned, or whether a privileged operation was performed. The lack of a unified record makes forensic analysis painful and opens the door for silent abuse.
Adding session recording to this picture solves the visibility gap. A complete replay of each client interaction lets auditors verify that only authorized actions occurred, and it gives incident responders the exact command sequence to investigate. However, session recording only works if the recording component sits on the data path between the identity holder and the MCP server.
Why the data path matters for session recording
Identity verification is handled before any traffic reaches the server. By configuring OIDC or SAML with your identity provider, each user receives a short‑lived token that proves who they are. That token is presented to the gateway, which then decides whether the request may proceed. The token alone does not enforce any guardrails; it merely authenticates the caller.
The enforcement point must be the gateway that proxies the connection. When the request passes through the gateway, the gateway can inspect the wire‑protocol, apply inline masking, block dangerous commands, and crucially, record the full session. Because the gateway sits between the client and the MCP server, it sees every byte that flows in both directions.
How hoop.dev provides session recording for GCP MCP servers
hoop.dev implements the required gateway. It runs a network‑resident agent inside the same VPC as the MCP service. The agent holds the service‑account credential that the MCP server expects, so users never see the credential themselves. When a user authenticates via OIDC, hoop.dev validates the token, extracts group membership, and then creates a short‑lived, scoped identity for the session.
During the session hoop.dev records every request and response. hoop.dev stores the recorded data in a location that is separate from the MCP server, creating an audit trail that is independent of the server's own storage. Because the recording happens at Layer 7, the replay includes the exact protocol messages, making it possible to reconstruct the interaction in a sandbox for analysis.
All of this occurs without changing the client code. Engineers continue to use their familiar MCP client libraries, and the only difference is that the connection is routed through hoop.dev’s proxy endpoint.
Conceptual walkthrough of a first‑time connection
- Deploy the hoop.dev gateway in the GCP project that contains the MCP server. The quick‑start guide shows a Docker Compose deployment that automatically configures OIDC validation and enables session recording.
- Register the MCP server as a connection in hoop.dev. Provide the host name, port, and the service‑account credential that the server requires. hoop.dev stores this credential securely; it never leaks to the client.
- Configure your identity provider (for example, Google Workspace) to issue OIDC tokens to your engineers. Ensure the token contains the group that maps to the MCP access policy.
- When an engineer runs the MCP client, they point it at the hoop.dev proxy address. The client presents the OIDC token, hoop.dev validates it, and then forwards the traffic to the MCP server.
- As the session proceeds, hoop.dev records every command and response. After the session ends, the recording is available in the hoop.dev UI for replay, export, or audit.
This flow satisfies the three‑beat arc: it replaces the insecure direct connection with a gateway that authenticates users, it still requires the request to reach the MCP server (the server itself is unchanged), and hoop.dev sits on the data path to provide session recording.
Benefits of gateway‑based session recording
- Full visibility into every client interaction, enabling precise forensic analysis.
- Separation of credential storage from the client, reducing the risk of secret leakage.
- Just‑in‑time access that expires when the session ends, limiting the window for abuse.
- Compliance‑ready audit evidence that can be exported for SOC 2, ISO 27001, or internal policies.
Because hoop.dev is open source and MIT licensed, you retain full control over the deployment and can extend the recording pipeline to feed SIEMs or custom dashboards.
Getting started
For a step‑by‑step guide, follow the getting‑started documentation. It walks you through deploying the gateway, registering an MCP connection, and enabling session recording. For deeper details on policy configuration, see the learn section. The source code and deployment manifests are available in the hoop.dev GitHub repository.
FAQ
- Do I need to modify my MCP client? No. The client continues to use its standard connection string; you only change the host to point at the hoop.dev proxy.
- Can I view recordings in real time? Recordings are stored after the session completes, but the UI lets you stream the data as it is written, giving near‑real‑time visibility.
- Is session recording optional? Yes. You can enable or disable it per connection in the gateway configuration, giving you flexibility for low‑risk workloads.
