AI engineering glossary · Agents tools MCP
What is MCP capability negotiation?
MCP capability negotiation: The handshake at the start of an MCP session where client and server tell each other which features they support, such as tools, resources, prompts or sampling. Both sides then use only the features they have agreed on.
MCP capability negotiation: an example
During initialisation, the server declares it supports tools and resources but not prompts.
Related terms
More Agents tools MCP terms
Where you learn it
MCP capability negotiation is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.