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The Model Context Protocol (MCP)
@ Anthropic
06/16/25
Takeaways
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
MCP is a way to integrate workflows into AI applications simply, providing context to applications that use large language models (LLMs).
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
MCP standardizes how data is taken from various sources, like APIs or internal data, and provided to the model, ensuring a consistent interaction pattern.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The main components of MCP include tools for actions the model can take, resources for raw data ingestion, and prompts for user-defined context input.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
Tools in MCP represent actions that the model can perform in the real world, while resources can include files and data that provide context to the model.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
Prompts in MCP are user-defined inputs that can be edited and placed into the context window, often implemented as slash commands for ease of use.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The origin of MCP stemmed from frustrations with copying data between applications, leading to the desire for a solution that simplifies data transfer between Claude desktop and IDEs.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
During an internal hackathon, the team organically gravitated towards building MCP servers, showcasing its versatility from standard integrations to controlling hardware like 3D printers.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
MCP's standardization allows server builders to create multiple servers that automatically work with the application, simplifying the development process.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
There's a magical moment when you teach Claude something new using an MCP server, and it takes action on something meaningful to you, creating excitement and engagement.
DS
David Soria Parra
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
MCP enables Claude to perform actions beyond just text output, such as interacting with other applications and even operating devices like 3D printers, enhancing its functionality.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
We launched the Model Context Protocol (MCP) around Thanksgiving in November 2024, and the initial reception was slow as many people were unsure about what MCP was.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The name 'Model Context Protocol' has caused some confusion, with people often mixing it up with other acronyms like MPC or NPC, leading to questions about its purpose.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The turning point for MCP's adoption came when more clients began to use it, particularly IDEs, which encouraged model providers to create servers that support MCP.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
MCP has become an industry standard for integration protocols, with many companies now adopting it into their products and creating servers to connect with various clients.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
Making MCP an open-source standard was a key decision to reduce friction for integration builders and encourage investment in AI applications.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The current state of MCP includes major players adopting it across their products, with over 10,000 MCP server builders contributing to a growing ecosystem.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
We're witnessing a shift where MCP servers are increasingly hosted in the cloud, allowing for easier integration into workflows, particularly with Claude AI.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The MCP community is expanding, with contributions from both large companies and open-source developers, enhancing the protocol's development and maintenance.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
There are ongoing conferences and partnerships focused on the evolution of MCP, addressing enterprise deployment needs and identity authorization challenges.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The hope is that MCP effectively addresses the need for providing context to large language models (LLMs) and that the community will help guide its future development. The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is designed to evolve with community input, ensuring it meets the needs of users.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
We need to create something that people genuinely want to use, collaborating with those who care about the project.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
For developers new to MCP, start by exploring an existing online server to understand the interaction patterns before building your own.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
Begin with simple projects, like a basic 'Hello world' response, to familiarize yourself with MCP before tackling more complex tasks.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
Using Claude Code, you can quickly create an MCP server in about 10 minutes, which demonstrates how accessible it is to get started.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
MCP servers can bridge the gap to the real world, allowing users to control physical devices, like synthesizers, through Claude.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The possibilities with MCP are vast; anything that can be accessed via an API can potentially be controlled through an MCP server.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
As AI models become more intelligent, they will be able to handle longer-running tasks, making certain MCP primitives more relevant.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
The upcoming registry API will enable models to search for additional servers, enhancing their capabilities and creating an agentic loop.
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Anthropic Cast
06/16/25
@ Anthropic
Future developments for MCP include facilitating long-running tasks and improving how servers can request more information from users.