What is MCP Server?
A process that exposes tools, resources, and prompts to MCP-compatible AI clients.
Definition
An MCP server is a standalone process that implements the MCP server specification, exposing a set of tools (functions the AI can call), resources (data the AI can read), and optionally prompt templates. MCP servers can run locally via stdio or remotely over HTTP with Server-Sent Events. They handle authentication and API calls on behalf of the AI client.
Example
The PostgreSQL MCP server exposes tools like `postgres_query` and `postgres_list_tables`. When connected to a Shogo agent, the agent can query your database directly without any custom integration code.
MCP Server vs API: What's the difference?
A process that exposes tools, resources, and prompts to MCP-compatible AI clients.
An API requires custom integration code for each AI. An MCP server provides a standardized interface any MCP client can use immediately.