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MCP Server and Client Basics

Beginner explanation​

MCP is a protocol for exposing capabilities like tools, prompts, and resources to compatible clients. It helps agent clients connect to external systems through a standard interface.

Production explanation​

The value of MCP in production is consistency. Instead of every client inventing a custom integration shape, MCP lets platform teams expose stable capability contracts and centralize policy, auth, and observability.

Real-world enterprise example​

A company exposes an internal knowledge search tool, deployment status resource, and incident template through one MCP server so different AI clients can use the same trusted interfaces.

Mermaid diagram​

TypeScript example​

export const serverCapabilities = {
  tools: ['search_incidents', 'read_change_request'],
  resources: ['deployment://latest', 'runbook://incident-sev1'],
  prompts: ['incident-summary'],
};

Python example​

def resource_uri(kind: str, identifier: str) -> str:
    return f"{kind}://{identifier}"

Common mistakes​

  • exposing transport details instead of clean business capabilities
  • not distinguishing tools from static resources
  • assuming protocol standardization removes the need for auth and approvals
  • publishing tools without documentation for consumers

Mini exercise​

Design one MCP server for a support ops domain. List two tools, one resource, and one prompt template.

Project assignment​

Create the initial capability map for Project: MCP Enterprise Toolkit.

Interview questions​

  • What problem does MCP solve for agent platforms?
  • When should something be exposed as a resource instead of a tool?
  • Why does standardization not eliminate governance concerns?

Monetization angle​

Standardized enterprise integrations are highly reusable. An MCP capability layer can become a strategic internal platform and a repeatable service offering.