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What does MCP actually connect?
A common plug for AI apps, tools, and information.
By Tony Yu / tkal · October 31, 2026 · One-minute visual guide
The connection, in one picture
Your AI appMCP
one shared standard Keep this bitMCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that helps AI applications connect to external tools and information.
Why care?
An assistant can work with your files or tools to help with an actual task.
Check first
What can this connection read or change? Look at the permissions.
Open the original sources
Source links open separately. Mochi’s pictures simplify the idea; the original documents carry the detail.
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