Module · AI Engineer
Model Context Protocol
One protocol for exposing tools, resources and prompts to any model client.
TOPIC 01
Defining an MCP Server
What a server is, which transports it speaks and how its tools are described.
What you'll practice
- Declare an MCP Server Manifest — guided · beginner
- Describe the Tools a Server Exposes — practice · intermediate
A command you'll meet
cat ~/mcp/server.jsonA server is a capability with a contract. Open the task below for the full walkthrough.
Hands-On Tasks in This Topic (2)
Declare an MCP Server Manifest
Every MCP server starts with a manifest - who it is, which protocol version it speaks and how clients should reach it. Write one for a documentation server.
Describe the Tools a Server Exposes
A tool description is the model's only documentation. Write a search tool with a clear description and a JSON Schema for its arguments.
TOPIC 02
Clients, Resources & Discovery
Wiring a client to a server, and exposing documents as resources instead of tools.
What you'll practice
- Connect a Client to a Server — practice · intermediate
- Publish a Resource Catalog — challenge · advanced
A command you'll meet
cat ~/.config/mcp/clients.jsonResources are read, tools are acted with. Open the task below for the full walkthrough.
Hands-On Tasks in This Topic (2)
Connect a Client to a Server
Clients find servers through configuration. Write the client config that starts the documentation server and registers it under a stable alias.
Publish a Resource Catalog
Resources are read-only context - policies, schemas, runbooks. Publish a catalog so the model knows what it may read, and how each item is typed.