2026-10-17
From Tool Calling to an Open Ecosystem: MCP Fundamentals, Background, and Evolution
Starting with MCP’s role as a protocol, how it works, and how it has evolved, this article explores how it connects AI applications with external tools and how it is used by coding agents and in a range of workflows. It also explains the difference between MCP and Skills, key security configuration considerations, and how to choose a client and start integrating servers with low-risk tasks.
