Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers are reshaping how AI systems interact with the world. Think of them as standardized “ports” that let AI tools securely and intelligently plug into other systems, whether it’s file storage, databases, productivity tools, or developer environments. As the AI ecosystem matures, these servers are becoming critical infrastructure, quietly powering some of the most advanced capabilities in tools like Claude, Copilot, and Replit’s Ghostwriter.

This post digs into the Model Context Protocol (MCP), how servers implement it, why it’s becoming the USB‑C of AI, and what it means for developers building the next generation of intelligent apps.