MCP Servers - Claude Code
Connect external tools and data sources via the open MCP standard.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers are how Claude Code reaches anything outside the repo - databases, APIs, internal services, file systems, you name it.
What it does
An MCP server exposes tools, resources, and prompts over a standard protocol. Claude Code connects to the server, loads the available capabilities, and makes them available as tools within the session. MCP is open and multi-vendor, so the same server works with different clients.
When to use it
- Wiring up databases, issue trackers, dashboards, or internal APIs.
- Exposing legacy systems to Claude Code without writing custom integrations.
- Sharing integrations across the team via
.mcp.jsonin the repo. - Building your own domain-specific tools that feel native.
Gotchas
- MCP servers run with their own auth. Misconfig means you silently lose access.
- Loaded MCP tools count against context and can slow tool selection. Use tool search for large suites.
- Remote MCP servers introduce network dependency. Plan for offline or fallback behavior.
Official docs: https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp.md
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