MCP (Model Context Protocol)¶
What is MCP¶
MCP is a standardized protocol that connects AI agents with external tools and data sources. Think of it as the USB-C of the AI world—one protocol that's compatible with all services.
Instead of writing custom integrations for each tool, MCP allows you to connect once and use hundreds of services: databases, APIs, file systems, cloud platforms, and more.
Core Components¶
| Component | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Server | Provides tools and data | GitHub server provides repository operations |
| Tools | Actions the agent can execute | Search files, create issues, commit code |
| Resources | Data the agent can read | File contents, API responses, database records |
| Client | Connects servers to agents | Built into the MAG platform |
Why Use MCP¶
Extend Agent Capabilities Add tools without writing integration code. Connect file systems, databases, cloud services, or custom APIs.
Standardized Integration One protocol works with all MCP servers. Add new capabilities by installing servers, no integration code needed.
Community Ecosystem Use ready-made servers from the open-source community.
Learn More¶
- MCP Official Documentation - Anthropic's introduction to MCP
- MCP Specification - Technical details and standards
- Community Discussions - Join the conversation
- MCP.so - Comprehensive MCP hub
- ModelScope - ModelScope MCP hub
- FastMCP - Python framework and server examples