Why MCP exists
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI clients (Claude Desktop, Cursor, custom agents) to tools and data — files, databases, browsers, APIs — without one-off plugins for every app.
Think of MCP servers as USB ports for agents: install once, reuse across clients that speak the protocol.
Install your first server
- Open your client’s MCP / tools settings.
- Paste a config like:
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/folder"]
}
}
}- Restart the client and confirm tools appear.
- Browse our Skills & MCP directory for more configs.
Safety basics
- Prefer read-only scopes when exploring.
- Never point filesystem servers at your entire home directory.
- Review env vars and tokens before production.