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MCP Server

Summary

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI assistants to external tools, data sources, and systems. MCP servers provide the "hands" — the ability for agents to interact with the outside world.

How It Works

MCP servers expose tools and resources that AI agents can discover and call. The agent decides which tools to use based on the task at hand.

Role in Agent Architecture

Component Role Analogy
Model Processing power CPU
Agent runtime Orchestrates context OS
MCP servers Connection to outside world Network/IO
Skills Expertise and procedural knowledge Applications

"MCP is the hands. Skills are the experience." — Barry Zhang

MCP + Skills

Developers are building skills that orchestrate workflows of multiple MCP tools stitched together. MCP provides the connection to external data; skills provide the expertise for what to do with it.

Examples in the Wild

  • Tolgee — First localization platform with native MCP server at /mcp/developer; lets AI coding assistants manage translations directly (search keys, create translations, trigger MT)
  • Notion — MCP skills that help Claude understand workspaces and do deep research
  • Browserbase — MCP skill for Stagehand browser automation
  • GitHub — MCP tools for code search, PR management, issue creation

See Also