MCP is standardizing how AI agents connect to tools and data, replacing custom integrations with reusable servers. Here's how it works, with code.

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The Model Context Protocol (MCP) standardizes how AI agents connect to external tools and data — replacing one-off custom integrations with reusable, portable servers. Any MCP-compatible client can plug into any MCP server, regardless of model or framework, turning tool integration into shared infrastructure rather than bespoke code. This piece breaks down the problem MCP solves, how its Host-Client-Server architecture works (with a runnable Python example), where it's already changing agent development, and the security, discovery, and versioning challenges still unresolved.