MCP

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MCP (Model Context Protocol)

Summary

  • model: means machine learning models

  • model context protocol: the standard to adding more context ability for ai model. It’s an open-source standard for connecting AI applications to external systems.

  • the protocol contains:

    • specification (schema) of client/server implementation requirements:

      • JSON-RPC: as the main communication media type

      • lifecyce management

      • authorization

      • transports: how client & server communicate

      • server features

      • client features: this makes the server can be interactive with the client side.

      • other utilities

    • sdks

    • tools

    • etc.

Architecture

Architecture overview - Model Context Protocol

Architecture - Model Context Protocol

  • It’s a client-host-server architecture. Host can coordinate and run mutliple client instances. And each client instance can connect with server to use external abilities.

  • The whole communication is based on json messages.

  • The key concepts are the primitives provided by both client & server. Those primitives enable the client to send request to be finished by server, and server can send request to client for further information from user

Key Notes

MCP_Key_Notes.png

workflow examples

example workflow - Model Context Protocol

1. initialization

client request:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "initialize",
  "params": {
    "protocolVersion": "2025-06-18",
    "capabilities": {
      "elicitation": {}
    },
    "clientInfo": {
      "name": "example-client",
      "version": "1.0.0"
    }
  }
}

server response:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "result": {
    "protocolVersion": "2025-06-18",
    "capabilities": {
      "tools": {
        "listChanged": true
      },
      "resources": {}
    },
    "serverInfo": {
      "name": "example-server",
      "version": "1.0.0"
    }
  }
}

2. primitive discovery

client request:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 2,
  "method": "tools/list"
}

server response:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 2,
  "result": {
    "tools": [
      {
        "name": "calculator_arithmetic",
        "title": "Calculator",
        "description": "Perform mathematical calculations including basic arithmetic, trigonometric functions, and algebraic operations",
        "inputSchema": {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "expression": {
              "type": "string",
              "description": "Mathematical expression to evaluate (e.g., '2 + 3 * 4', 'sin(30)', 'sqrt(16)')"
            }
          },
          "required": ["expression"]
        }
      },
      {
        "name": "weather_current",
        "title": "Weather Information",
        "description": "Get current weather information for any location worldwide",
        "inputSchema": {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "location": {
              "type": "string",
              "description": "City name, address, or coordinates (latitude,longitude)"
            },
            "units": {
              "type": "string",
              "enum": ["metric", "imperial", "kelvin"],
              "description": "Temperature units to use in response",
              "default": "metric"
            }
          },
          "required": ["location"]
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

primitive execution

client request:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 3,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "weather_current",
    "arguments": {
      "location": "San Francisco",
      "units": "imperial"
    }
  }
}

server response:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 3,
  "result": {
    "content": [
      {
        "type": "text",
        "text": "Current weather in San Francisco: 68°F, partly cloudy with light winds from the west at 8 mph. Humidity: 65%"
      }
    ]
  }
}

4. notifications

server notification:

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{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "notifications/tools/list_changed"
}

Primitives examples

Understanding MCP servers - Model Context Protocol

Understanding MCP clients - Model Context Protocol

tools

example server tool definition response:

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{
  name: "searchFlights",
  description: "Search for available flights",
  inputSchema: {
    type: "object",
    properties: {
      origin: { type: "string", description: "Departure city" },
      destination: { type: "string", description: "Arrival city" },
      date: { type: "string", format: "date", description: "Travel date" }
    },
    required: ["origin", "destination", "date"]
  }
}

resources

example server resource definition response:

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{
  "uriTemplate": "weather://forecast/{city}/{date}",
  "name": "weather-forecast",
  "title": "Weather Forecast",
  "description": "Get weather forecast for any city and date",
  "mimeType": "application/json"
}

{
  "uriTemplate": "travel://flights/{origin}/{destination}",
  "name": "flight-search",
  "title": "Flight Search",
  "description": "Search available flights between cities",
  "mimeType": "application/json"
}

prompt

example server prompt definition response:

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{
  "name": "plan-vacation",
  "title": "Plan a vacation",
  "description": "Guide through vacation planning process",
  "arguments": [
    { "name": "destination", "type": "string", "required": true },
    { "name": "duration", "type": "number", "description": "days" },
    { "name": "budget", "type": "number", "required": false },
    { "name": "interests", "type": "array", "items": { "type": "string" } }
  ]
}

elicitation

example client elicitation definition response:

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{
  method: "elicitation/requestInput",
  params: {
    message: "Please confirm your Barcelona vacation booking details:",
    schema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        confirmBooking: {
          type: "boolean",
          description: "Confirm the booking (Flights + Hotel = $3,000)"
        },
        seatPreference: {
          type: "string",
          enum: ["window", "aisle", "no preference"],
          description: "Preferred seat type for flights"
        },
        roomType: {
          type: "string",
          enum: ["sea view", "city view", "garden view"],
          description: "Preferred room type at hotel"
        },
        travelInsurance: {
          type: "boolean",
          default: false,
          description: "Add travel insurance ($150)"
        }
      },
      required: ["confirmBooking"]
    }
  }
}

root

example client response to a server root request:

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{
  "uri": "file:///Users/agent/travel-planning",
  "name": "Travel Planning Workspace"
}

sampling

example server request to client for model support:

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{
  messages: [
    {
      role: "user",
      content: "Analyze these flight options and recommend the best choice:\n" +
               "[47 flights with prices, times, airlines, and layovers]\n" +
               "User preferences: morning departure, max 1 layover"
    }
  ],
  modelPreferences: {
    hints: [{
      name: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514"  // Suggested model
    }],
    costPriority: 0.3,      // Less concerned about API cost
    speedPriority: 0.2,     // Can wait for thorough analysis
    intelligencePriority: 0.9  // Need complex trade-off evaluation
  },
  systemPrompt: "You are a travel expert helping users find the best flights based on their preferences",
  maxTokens: 1500
}