What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
A complete guide to understanding Model Context Protocol, how it works, and why it's transforming how AI agents interact with external tools and data.
Introduction to Model Context Protocol
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed to enable AI models to securely connect to external APIs, tools, and data sources. Think of it as a universal adapter that allows AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor to interact with any external service or tool.
Before MCP, each AI platform had to build custom integrations for every tool or service. This created fragmentation, security concerns, and maintenance overhead. MCP solves this by providing a standardized protocol that any AI client and any service can implement.
How MCP Works
MCP uses a client-server architecture where:
- MCP Clients are AI assistants (like Cursor, Claude Desktop) that need to access external tools
- MCP Servers expose tools, resources, and prompts from external services
- The Protocol defines how clients and servers communicate securely
When you install an MCP server, your AI client can discover and use the tools it provides. For example, installing the GitHub MCP server allows your AI assistant to search repositories, read files, and create issues—all through natural language requests.
Key Benefits of MCP
Standardization
One protocol works across all MCP-compatible clients and servers, reducing integration complexity.
Security
Built-in authentication, authorization, and secure communication protocols protect your data and API keys.
Extensibility
Easy to add new tools and capabilities without modifying the AI client or core protocol.
Vendor Support
Official MCP servers are maintained by vendors, ensuring reliability and long-term support.
Official vs Unofficial MCP Servers
Official MCP servers are provided and maintained by the vendor themselves. They're hosted on the vendor's official domain, come with comprehensive documentation, and are production-ready. Examples include GitHub, Notion, and Linear.
Unofficial servers are community-maintained and may not have the same level of support, security, or reliability. While some are excellent, they can pose risks and may not be updated regularly.
This directory focuses exclusively on official MCP servers to ensure you're using trusted, vendor-supported integrations.
Getting Started with MCP
To start using MCP servers:
- Choose an MCP-compatible client (Cursor, Claude Desktop, Cline, etc.)
- Browse our directory of official MCP servers
- Follow the installation instructions for your chosen server and client
- Configure any required API keys or authentication
- Restart your client and start using the new capabilities
Common Use Cases
MCP servers enable AI agents to:
- Access and query databases (Neon, Supabase, Prisma)
- Interact with project management tools (Linear, Asana, Notion)
- Perform web scraping and data extraction (Firecrawl, Apify)
- Search and retrieve information (Exa, Tavily, Perplexity)
- Manage cloud infrastructure (Google Cloud, AWS, Cloudflare)
- Process payments (Stripe, PayPal, Square)
- And much more...
Next Steps
Ready to start using MCP servers? Browse our directory of official MCP servers, read our installation guides, or check out our FAQ for common questions.