jcorpac MCP Server Foundations
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is the standard for connecting AI models to external tools and data.
Architecture
- Host: The application (like Claude Desktop) that initiates the connection.
- Server: The adapter providing tools, resources, or prompts.
- Client: The model's interface within the host.
Transports
- STDIO: Standard input/output for local processes.
- SSE (Server-Sent Events): For remote servers over HTTP.
Lifecycle
- Initialization: Capabilities negotiation.
- Interaction: Tool calls, resource reads.
- Shutdown: Cleanly closing connections.
Best Practices
- Graceful Error Handling: Returning clear error messages instead of crashing.
- Resource Management: Efficiently closing file handles and network sockets.