Model Context Protocol
An open standard for connecting AI models to tools and data through a common protocol.
Learn the idea How AI connects to company systems, and what MCP is on Horizon
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard, introduced by Anthropic, for how models talk to tools and data sources. Instead of a bespoke integration per app, a system exposes an MCP server once and any MCP-aware client can use it.
It has become a de facto standard: model vendors, IDEs, and agent frameworks all speak it. For integration work, MCP turns "N apps times M models" into "build the server once."
Where it fits
The right approach when a capability should be reusable across many models and clients, rather than wired into one app.
Where it does not fit
Extra indirection for a single, private integration that only one application will ever call: a direct API call is simpler.
Pairs with
Commonly used alongside it.
