# MCP Overview

* *MCP* (Model Context Protocol): A unified protocol to expose external tools and data sources to models/Agents, enabling dynamic discovery and invocation.
* **How it works**: A client (model/Agent runtime) connects to an MCP server which exposes `Tools / Resources / Prompts` and an event stream.
* **Industry context**: Since its release in 2024-11, MCP has grown rapidly and been called the “USB‑C for AI.” The ecosystem is expanding fast, though remote orchestration, auditability, and incentive mechanisms are still maturing.
