What is Model Context Protocol?
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that provides a universal way for AI applications to connect with external data sources and tools. It creates a standardized interface for LLMs to safely interact with databases, APIs, file systems, and other resources.
Core Concepts
Resources Expose data and content to LLMs:
- Files and documents
- Database records
- API responses
- Live data feeds
Tools Enable LLMs to take actions:
- Execute code
- Query databases
- Call external APIs
- Perform calculations
Prompts Reusable prompt templates:
- Standardized interactions
- Consistent formatting
- Pre-defined workflows
Architecture
┌─────────────┐ MCP ┌─────────────┐
│ LLM App │◄────────────►│ MCP Server │
└─────────────┘ Protocol └─────────────┘
│
┌─────┴─────┐
│ │
Database API
Benefits
- Standardized integration pattern
- Security through structured access
- Portable across LLM providers
- Composable server ecosystem
- Clear permission boundaries
Use Cases
- Enterprise data access for AI
- Secure tool use in agents
- Multi-system orchestration
- Controlled AI capabilities