diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8f8667b2..d91cf2a9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -155,11 +155,11 @@ You can use the `Server#handle_json` method to handle requests.
 
 ```ruby
 class ApplicationController < ActionController::Base
-
   def index
     server = MCP::Server.new(
       name: "my_server",
       version: "1.0.0",
+      instructions: "Use the tools of this server as a last resort",
       tools: [SomeTool, AnotherTool],
       prompts: [MyPrompt],
       server_context: { user_id: current_user.id },
diff --git a/lib/mcp/server.rb b/lib/mcp/server.rb
index df2a7e8a..e6c2684a 100644
--- a/lib/mcp/server.rb
+++ b/lib/mcp/server.rb
@@ -31,11 +31,12 @@ def initialize(method_name)
 
     include Instrumentation
 
-    attr_accessor :name, :version, :tools, :prompts, :resources, :server_context, :configuration, :capabilities, :transport
+    attr_accessor :name, :version, :instructions, :tools, :prompts, :resources, :server_context, :configuration, :capabilities, :transport
 
     def initialize(
       name: "model_context_protocol",
       version: DEFAULT_VERSION,
+      instructions: nil,
       tools: [],
       prompts: [],
       resources: [],
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ def initialize(
     )
       @name = name
       @version = version
+      @instructions = instructions
       @tools = tools.to_h { |t| [t.name_value, t] }
       @prompts = prompts.to_h { |p| [p.name_value, p] }
       @resources = resources
@@ -54,6 +56,12 @@ def initialize(
       @resource_index = index_resources_by_uri(resources)
       @server_context = server_context
       @configuration = MCP.configuration.merge(configuration)
+
+      if @configuration.protocol_version == "2024-11-05" && @instructions
+        message = "`instructions` supported by protocol version 2025-03-26 or higher"
+        raise ArgumentError, message
+      end
+
       @capabilities = capabilities || default_capabilities
 
       @handlers = {
@@ -218,7 +226,8 @@ def init(request)
         protocolVersion: configuration.protocol_version,
         capabilities: capabilities,
         serverInfo: server_info,
-      }
+        instructions: instructions,
+      }.compact
     end
 
     def list_tools(request)
diff --git a/test/mcp/server_test.rb b/test/mcp/server_test.rb
index ef966daa..b4089907 100644
--- a/test/mcp/server_test.rb
+++ b/test/mcp/server_test.rb
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ class ServerTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       @server = Server.new(
         name: @server_name,
         version: "1.2.3",
+        instructions: "Optional instructions for the client",
         tools: [@tool, @tool_that_raises],
         prompts: [@prompt],
         resources: [@resource],
@@ -135,6 +136,7 @@ class ServerTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
             name: @server_name,
             version: "1.2.3",
           },
+          instructions: "Optional instructions for the client",
         },
       }
 
@@ -750,6 +752,33 @@ def call(message:, server_context: nil)
       assert_equal Server::DEFAULT_VERSION, response[:result][:serverInfo][:version]
     end
 
+    test "server uses instructions when not configured" do
+      server = Server.new(name: "test_server")
+      request = {
+        jsonrpc: "2.0",
+        method: "initialize",
+        id: 1,
+      }
+
+      response = server.handle(request)
+      refute response[:result].key?(:instructions)
+    end
+
+    test "server uses instructions when configured with protocol version 2025-03-26" do
+      configuration = Configuration.new(protocol_version: "2025-03-26")
+      server = Server.new(name: "test_server", instructions: "The server instructions.", configuration: configuration)
+      assert_equal("The server instructions.", server.instructions)
+    end
+
+    test "raises error if instructions are used with protocol version 2024-11-05" do
+      configuration = Configuration.new(protocol_version: "2024-11-05")
+
+      exception = assert_raises(ArgumentError) do
+        Server.new(name: "test_server", instructions: "The server instructions.", configuration: configuration)
+      end
+      assert_equal("`instructions` supported by protocol version 2025-03-26 or higher", exception.message)
+    end
+
     test "#define_tool adds a tool to the server" do
       @server.define_tool(
         name: "defined_tool",