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.
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.