Agents & knowledge
Model Context Protocol
An open protocol for connecting AI applications to tools and context providers.
Also known as: MCP
Definition
Model Context Protocol standardises how compatible clients discover and invoke servers exposing tools, resources and prompts.
Why it matters
MCP can accelerate integration but also expands the trust boundary around authentication, tool permissions and third-party servers.
Related concepts
- Function calling
A model returning structured arguments for a predefined software function.
- Tool use
A model selecting and calling external functions or systems.
- Entitlements
Rules defining which data and actions a user or system may access.