What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that enables AI assistants to connect to external data sources and tools seamlessly. It transforms how AI models interact with real-world information.

What is MCP?

MCP is an open protocol by Anthropic designed to connect AI assistants to any data source or tool. It provides a standardized way for clients (AI assistants) to query servers (data sources) for resources and context.

How MCP Works

• Client/Server System: AI assistants (clients) talk to MCP servers hosting tools.
• Tool Registration: Developers build MCP servers that expose tools (e.g., APIs, databases).
• Dynamic Context: Users can ask for real-time context (e.g., 'What's my latest CRM data?') without manual prompting.

Why MCP Matters

MCP bridges AI models with real-world data, enabling more accurate, context-aware responses by accessing live information from any system.

Supported AI Assistants

• Claude (Anthropic's AI assistant)
• Cursor (AI-powered code editor)
• Cline (open-source MCP client)

Building an MCP Server

1. Implement the MCP protocol (standardized requests/responses)
2. Register tools (e.g., data sources, APIs)
3. Expose your server URL for clients to connect

MCP Ecosystem

• Anthropic MCP Tool
• Smithery: Registry for discovering MCP servers
• Community registries for tool discovery