Understand the Model Context Protocol
See how MCP connects AI applications to external capabilities through a shared protocol.
- Explain the roles of an MCP host, client, and server.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol for connecting AI applications to external data and capabilities. An MCP host is the application the person uses. The host creates an MCP client for each connection, and that client communicates with an MCP server that exposes capabilities. MCP standardizes the interaction; it does not dictate which model the host uses or guarantee that a connected server is trustworthy.
A small example
1host = "assistant application"
2client = "connection managed by the host"
3server = "calendar capability provider"
4print(f"{host} connects to {server} through a {client}")assistant application connects to calendar capability provider through a connection managed by the host
A server may run locally as a subprocess or remotely over a network transport. The host manages connections and presents available capabilities to the model or user. Treat each connected server as a separate integration with its own permissions and operational risks.
Key takeaways
Explain the roles of an MCP host, client, and server.
Keep capability access explicit and handle results as untrusted input.
Lesson quiz
5 questions · pass with 4 correct · up to 50 XP
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