What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?

Today, at the speed of AI, we often encounter a bottleneck: AI Assistant (e. g. Claude or GPT is knowledgeable, but they cannot directly access your private data, local files or specific API services. Model Context Protocol (MCP) It's the open agreement that Anthropic has launched to solve this problem.

Through MCP, you can provide AI's assistant with a standard interface that allows it to safely access your database and operate your own. GitHub warehouse, even control your local terminal. It's gonna be AI From a "pure chat robot" to a real "smart assistant."

Addressing specific issues: How can AI enhance efficiency through MCP?

Imagine the following specific scenes, if not MCP, you might need to copy the paste manually between multiple windows:

  • Scenario one: Local code review. You can just tell AI, "Read me." src All configuration files under the directory and check for security gaps. "AI will automatically scan local files through Filesystem MCP.
  • Scenario two: Mass Issue processing. "Search all the Issue styles in GitHub repository for me and summarize the first three core issues. "AI will pass GitHub MCP calls API automatically complete.
  • Scenario three: Real time Web data grab. “Get the latest in this technical article and translate it into a thought map. "AI will use Fetch MCP to retrieve and parse the web page.

Core structure: client and server

MCP uses the classic Clit-Server model. AI client (e. g. Claude Desktop or IDE plugin) connected to MCP Server. Servers expose "Tools" and "Resources" to AI by specific protocol.

How do you fit your MCP Servers?

Claude Desktop Configuration (Windows/macOS)

This is the most common configuration. You need to find the configuration file for Claude Desktop:

Profile Path
# macOS
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

# Windows
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Fill in the following configurations (for example, the usual Filesystem):

JSON Configuration Example 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/your/projects"]
    }
  }
}

List of recommended high-quality MCP servers

There are now a large number of excellent servers in the community, which are recommended for several developers:

📁 Filesystem

Function: Allows AI to read and write local filesystems. This is the most fundamental and powerful tool.

🔗 Fetch

Function: Fetches the content of the web page and optimizes it to a format suitable for LLM processing.

📂 GitHub

Function: Conducts deep integration of Issue management, PR review, warehouse search, etc.

🧠 Memory

Function: Based on knowledge mapping, provide an enduring memory of cross-session sessions for AI.

Common Question Answers (FAQ)

  • Q: Is there a security risk using MCP?
    A: MCP was designed to be safe. You need to specify clearly in the configuration file the directory or API that AI can access. AI Unauthorized operations cannot be performed.
  • Q: Do I need to pay for MCP?
    A: MCP Agreement is itself entirely open and free of charge. But some connected API services (e.g. Brave Seach) may require separate services API Key or the amount of the fee.
  • Q: How to develop your own MCP server?
    A: Officially provided by TypeScript and Python SDK。 If you have basic programming knowledge, you can quickly seal your own tool bank.