MCP

Agents Intermediate Also called: Model Context Protocol

Definition

A shared standard for plugging AI apps into other systems: your files, calendar, email, databases, and business tools. Build a connector once and any AI app that supports MCP can use it, like a USB-C port for AI. Anthropic released it as an open standard in November 2024; Claude, ChatGPT, and others support it.

In plain English

Before USB, every device had its own cable. MCP is the one cable shape for AI: build the connector once and any AI app that speaks MCP can plug in.¹ Your calendar, your files, your customer database.

In the real world

The “connectors” or “integrations” page in Claude or ChatGPT.
An agent that can read your Google Calendar and create events.
The reason the same Slack connector works in three different AI tools.

When to use it

You want the AI to work with your actual data instead of pasted copies.
You’re choosing tools. “Supports MCP” means it will connect to things you haven’t thought of yet.

When not to use it

A one-time task. Paste the data. Connectors are for repeated work.
Connecting anything you’d be uncomfortable giving a new hire access to on day one. Each connector is a door.

Good, bad, ugly

Good: connect once, use everywhere.
Bad: every connection is a permission you now have to think about.
Ugly: an AI with a connector to your email reading a message that tells it what to do. See prompt injection.

Key facts

Stands for: Model Context Protocol
Released: November 2024, by Anthropic, as an open standard
The analogy: USB-C for AI. One plug shape, many devices.

Common questions

What does MCP actually let me do?

Connect your AI app to things you already use, such as your calendar, your files, Slack, or a database, so it can read from and act on them.

Do I need to be technical to use it?

To use a connector someone else built, no. Most apps have a settings page for it. To build one, yes.

Is it only for Claude?

No. It started at Anthropic but is an open standard. The MCP docs name Claude and ChatGPT among the apps that use it.

References

What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)?Model Context Protocol documentationView source
Introducing the Model Context ProtocolAnthropic · 2024-11-25View source