What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
MCP is an open-source standard for connecting AI applications to outside systems, such as files, databases, search engines and other tools. Its own documentation compares it to a USB-C port: one standard connection instead of a different one for every device. Claude, ChatGPT and Visual Studio Code are among the tools that support it.
With MCP, an AI application can reach data sources, tools and workflows through one common protocol. Developers can build servers that expose their data and tools, and clients that connect to those servers. The documentation says this reduces the work of connecting an AI application to other systems, and lets AI assistants and agents use more of the user's data and take actions for them when needed.
Background from ai notis, not part of the news. Checked against its sources on 4 Oct 2026.
Our sources
- What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)? · Model Context Protocol
- Glossary · Anthropic