Table of Contents
What is MCP?
MCP is an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to LLMs. It is thought of as a USB-C type of connection for AI-based applications. It can connect to various data sources and tools.
MCP focuses on standardized data access for AI systems. MCP aims to create a universal protocol for connecting AI to data sources.
Why is MCP relevant?
MCP gives a universal control over all of one’s digital communications and services. In a scenario where N clients communicate directly with M applications scenario is reduced to N clients communicating only with MCP, and MCP communicates with respective MCP servers, which can be file systems, Web API’s, Databases, and other tools. N x M connections are reduced to N + M connections.
Impact on the application using MCP
There are multiple advantages of using MCP. Overall it has resulted in higher user satisfaction because of
- Reduced repititions
- Reduction in prompt tokens as they are more context aware.
- Get more personalized results
- Synchronizes tools and context. Has consistent up-to-date picture across all connected systems.
Key components of MCP
The key components of MCP
- MCP Hosts: Programs like Claude Desktop, IDEs, or AI tools that want to access data through MCP
- MCP Clients: Protocol clients that maintain 1:1 connections with servers
- MCP Servers: Lightweight programs that each expose specific capabilities through the standardized Model Context Protocol
- Local Data Sources: Your computer’s files, databases, and services that MCP servers can securely access
- Remote Services: External systems available over the internet (e.g., through APIs) that MCP servers can connect to
How does MCP work?
The hosts are programs like Claude desktop and Cursor that want to access MCP. The host creates an MCP client for each connection with the MCP server. It can have multiple MCP servers. The host communicates with the server using the MCP protocol.
MCP support ecosystem
MCP is developing a vast ecosystem. Google Drive, GitHub, git, Postgres, Slack. Typescript and Python have relevant SDK support.
You can get more details here.
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