What is MCP? Model Context Protocol Explained

TL;DR: MCP is an open standard by Anthropic that lets AI assistants connect to external tools like databases, GitHub, and Slack. One protocol, any AI, any tool. Think USB-C for AI integrations.

Imagine asking your AI assistant: "What's the status of my GitHub PRs?" — and actually getting an answer. Not a generic explanation of how to check GitHub, but your real data from your real repositories.

That's what Model Context Protocol makes possible.

MCP is an open standard created by Anthropic that lets AI assistants connect to external tools — databases, APIs, file systems, and more. Instead of being isolated and "dumb," your AI becomes genuinely useful.

The Problem MCP Solves#

Before MCP, AI assistants lived in a bubble. They could only work with what you copy-pasted into the chat window.

Before MCP:

You: "What's in my database?" AI: "I can't access your database. Please share the data you'd like me to analyze."

After MCP:

You: "What's in my database?" AI: "You have 3,847 users. The top 10 by revenue are..."

The difference? MCP creates a standard way for AI to talk to external systems — securely and with your permission.

How MCP Works#

Think of MCP like USB for AI. Before USB, every device needed its own special cable. After USB, everything just works with one standard connector.

MCP does the same for AI integrations:

The Three Players#

MCP Host — Your AI application (Claude, Cursor, VS Code). It's the brain that wants to use tools.

MCP Client — The connection manager inside the host. One client per tool connection.

MCP Server — The tool itself (GitHub, PostgreSQL, Slack). It exposes capabilities to AI.

When you tell Claude "connect to my GitHub," Claude creates a client that talks to the GitHub MCP server. They exchange messages using a simple protocol, and suddenly your AI can create issues, review PRs, and manage repositories.

The MCP Ecosystem in Numbers#

The protocol launched in November 2024. Here's how fast it's grown:

Who's Using MCP#

• Anthropic — Created MCP, built into Claude Desktop and Claude Code
• OpenAI — Adopted for ChatGPT desktop (March 2025)
• Google — Managed servers for Maps, BigQuery, Cloud
• Microsoft — VS Code Copilot and Windows 11 integration
• Linux Foundation — Now governs MCP as open standard

Popular MCP Servers#

The ecosystem has servers for almost everything:

Most Popular:

• Context7 — Get up-to-date library docs (39K+ stars)
• GitHub — Manage repos, issues, PRs through conversation
• Playwright — Automate browsers, take screenshots
• PostgreSQL — Query databases with natural language
• Slack — Send messages, manage channels

Getting Started in 2 Minutes#

Want to try MCP? Here's the quickest path:

Step 1: Install Claude Desktop from claude.com/download

Step 2: Add a server to your config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "context7": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@upstash/context7-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Restart Claude and ask: "Show me the latest React hooks documentation"

That's it. Claude now gets up-to-date library docs. Try the same with GitHub, Playwright, or any of the 6,800+ servers.

Security: You're in Control#

Connecting AI to real systems sounds scary. MCP addresses this:

Permission-based — Servers declare what they can do. You approve what's allowed.

Local by default — Most servers run on your machine. Your data doesn't leave your computer.

OAuth for remote — Cloud servers require proper authentication.

Auditable — Every action is logged. You can see exactly what AI did.

The key principle: AI can only access what you explicitly allow.

MCP vs Traditional APIs#

Why not just let AI call REST APIs directly?

The Model Context Protocol treats AI as a first-class citizen that can discover and use tools autonomously — not as a programmer who needs to read documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions#

What does MCP stand for?#

Model Context Protocol. It's an open standard for connecting AI applications to external tools and data.

Is MCP only for Claude/Anthropic?#

No. OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft all support MCP. It's governed by the Linux Foundation as an open standard.

Is it safe to connect AI to my tools?#

Yes, with proper precautions. MCP includes permission scoping, and you control what each server can access. Start with read-only servers if you're cautious.

How is MCP different from plugins?#

Plugins are proprietary and platform-specific. MCP is an open protocol — build once, works everywhere.

Can I build my own MCP server?#

Absolutely. Python and TypeScript SDKs make it straightforward. Check our Build MCP Server guide.

What's Next?#

MCP is how AI connects to the real world. The protocol is stable, the ecosystem is thriving, and getting started takes minutes.

Your next steps:

1. Try it — Add Context7 to Claude for up-to-date docs
2. Explore — Browse 6,800+ servers for your favorite tools
3. Build — Create a server for your unique workflow

Want deeper technical details? Read the MCP Protocol Deep Dive.