Understanding the Model Context Protocol (MCP): Complete Guide Anthropic has developed the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source protocol that enables AI models to directly access external systems such as databases, files, and internal tools for fresh and accurate context. The protocol uses JSON-RPC communication between MCP servers, which expose data and functionality, and MCP clients like Claude or Gemini that connect to retrieve information. This eliminates the need for manual data copying and reformatting by creating a standardized bridge between artificial intelligence and existing enterprise systems. Imagine being able to give your favorite AI direct and secure access to your databases, files, or internal systems. No more copying and pasting information or manually reformatting your data. This is exactly what the Model Context Protocol MCP developed by Anthropic offers. In my development practice with AI since the emergence of Claude, I’ve often been frustrated by the need to manually “feed” models with context. MCP is a game-changer by creating a real bridge between artificial intelligence and our existing systems. The Model Context Protocol MCP is an open-source protocol developed by Anthropic that allows AI models to directly access external systems to obtain fresh and accurate context. Think of it as an API specifically designed for artificial intelligence . To understand the value of MCP, imagine working in an international company. You need information stored in different departments accounting, HR, technical , but each department speaks a different language. MCP plays the role of a universal translator that: Before MCP, for an AI to access your data, you had to: With MCP, AI can: MCP is built around two main components that communicate via the JSON-RPC protocol: The MCP server is what you develop. It: Concrete example: An MCP server for the Montpellier tram network could expose: The MCP client is the artificial intelligence Claude, Gemini, VS Code Copilot that: MCP uses JSON-RPC as its communication protocol. Each exchange follows a simple structure: