Before MCP, developers could connect models to tools. Each connection simply spoke its own language.

MCP standardizes the meeting. A host creates clients. Servers describe tools, resources, and prompts. Stdio carries messages to local programs. Streamable HTTP carries them to remote ones.

The tiny clock server contains the whole shape. Identify, describe, perform, connect.

A model still cannot reach into the world. MCP gives the programs around it an agreed way to help.