Canonical: https://composio.dev/glossary/model-context-protocol
Markdown: https://composio.dev/glossary/model-context-protocol.md

# Model Context Protocol

Model Context Protocol, or MCP, is an open protocol that lets AI applications connect to servers exposing tools, resources, and prompts.

An AI application acts as a host and uses MCP clients to communicate with MCP servers. A server publishes capabilities, such as tool definitions, that the application can discover and use through the protocol.

MCP defines how participants communicate. An integration still needs authentication, authorization, and code that performs the requested action. In Composio, a session can expose an MCP endpoint for compatible clients.

## Related terms

- [MCP gateway](https://composio.dev/glossary/mcp-gateway)

- [Tool](https://composio.dev/glossary/tool)

- [Session](https://composio.dev/glossary/session)

## Sources and implementation

- Technical reference: [MCP architecture](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/learn/architecture)

- Implementation guide: [Using sessions via MCP](https://docs.composio.dev/docs/sessions-via-mcp)

- On this site: [Developer platform](https://composio.dev/developers)

[All glossary terms](https://composio.dev/glossary)

Reviewed: 2026-10-29
Next review: 2027-01-29
Owner: Brendan O'Leary / Developer Marketing