// Module included in the following assemblies:
//
// * ai_applications/mcp_server/mcp-server-overview.adoc

:_mod-docs-content-type: CONCEPT
[id="ai-app-mcp-server-model-context-protocol-overview_{context}"]
= Model Context Protocol overview

[role="_abstract"]
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open source standard for connecting AI applications to external systems.

Using MCP, AI applications, such as Claude Code or Cursor, can connect to the following items, enabling them to access key information and perform tasks:

* *Data sources*: for example, local files, databases

* *Tools*: for example, search engines, calculators

* *Workflows*: for example, specialized prompts

MCP works similarly to a USB-C port for AI applications. Just as USB-C provides a standardized way to connect electronic devices, MCP provides a standardized way to connect AI applications to external systems.
