Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT to external data sources, tools, and systems. It provides a unified way for AI applications to read files, query databases, call APIs, and perform actions through a standardized protocol.
itArtificial intelligence and machine learning | OpenSkills.info
Intro
Introduction to Model Context Protocol
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that standardizes how AI applications connect to external systems. Released by Anthropic in November 2024 and now supported by OpenAI, Microsoft, and other major AI providers, MCP solves a fundamental problem: giving AI assistants safe, standardized access to your data and tools.
The Problem MCP Solves
Before MCP, connecting an AI assistant to your company's database, your local files, or your development tools required custom integrations for each combination. Each AI application needed its own adapter for each external system. This created a multiplication problem: M AI applications times N external systems equals M×N integrations to build and maintain.
MCP inverts this. Build one MCP server for your data source. Any MCP-compatible AI application can now use it. This transforms M×N into M+N.
Think of MCP like USB-C for AI applications. USB-C provides a standardized way to connect devices to peripherals. MCP provides a standardized way to connect AI models to data sources and tools.
How MCP Works
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Sources
- https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction
Supports
- MCP is an open protocol that standardizes connections between AI applications and external context providers.
- https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-11-25
Supports
- The MCP specification defines hosts, clients, servers, capability negotiation, and protocol messages.
- https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/learn/architecture
Supports
- MCP uses a host-client-server architecture to isolate tool and data integrations from the AI application.
- https://developers.openai.com/codex/mcp
Supports
- Codex can be configured to use MCP servers as external tool providers.
- https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/agents-and-tools/mcp
Supports
- Anthropic documents MCP as a way to connect Claude applications to external tools and data.
- https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers
Supports
- The repository lists reference and community MCP server implementations.
- https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/inspector
Supports
- MCP Inspector is a developer tool for testing and debugging MCP servers.
- https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/mcp-servers
Supports
- Visual Studio Code documents MCP server configuration for Copilot Chat.