What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
An open protocol that standardizes how AI agents discover, connect to, and use external tools and data sources.
Detailed Explanation
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed to solve the fragmentation problem in AI tool integration. Instead of every agent framework implementing custom integrations for every tool, MCP defines a uniform way for agents to discover capabilities through schema introspection, authenticate connections, and invoke tools with structured inputs and outputs. An MCP server exposes a set of capabilities (tools, resources, prompts) through a well-defined interface. An MCP client (like Hermes Agent) connects to these servers, discovers what's available, and dynamically incorporates those capabilities into its decision-making. This enables an ecosystem where any tool that implements MCP is immediately usable by any compatible agent.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created MCP?
MCP was developed by Anthropic and released as an open protocol. It is designed to be implementation-agnostic, meaning any agent framework or tool vendor can adopt it.
How is MCP different from function calling?
Function calling is typically hardcoded — the developer defines available functions in code. MCP is dynamic — the agent discovers available tools at runtime by connecting to MCP servers, enabling new capabilities without code changes.
Can I build my own MCP server?
Yes. MCP servers can be built in any language. You define your capabilities in a schema, implement the protocol handlers, and any MCP-compatible agent can immediately use your tools.