AI engineering glossary · Agents tools MCP

What is MCP host?

MCP host: The AI application that the user interacts with and that runs one or more MCP clients, such as a chat desktop app or code editor. It decides which servers to connect to and manages user permissions.

Level: intermediateTopic: Agents tools MCP

MCP host: an example

A desktop assistant is the host that connects to a filesystem server and a calendar server.

Related terms

More Agents tools MCP terms

Where you learn it

MCP host is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.

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