Infrastructure Official term
MCP
Model Context Protocol, an open protocol for connecting models and AI apps to tools, resources, and context.
One-line definition
MCP is an open protocol for connecting models and AI applications to tools, data sources, and context.
Official name
Model Context Protocol
Common aliases
MCP
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You need a fast, source-backed explanation before jumping into deeper articles or official docs.
What it is
- + It is a protocol layer rather than one AI product.
- + It helps standardize how external capabilities are exposed to models and apps.
What it is not
- - It is not a plugin marketplace by itself.
- - It is not a vendor-exclusive private feature.
Why it matters now
- • It shows up often in tool integration, agent tooling, and context-sharing discussions.
Many people first mistake MCP for “plugins,” but it is more accurate to think of it as a connection standard.