MCP Server
A program that exposes tools, resources, and prompts to AI applications over the Model Context Protocol so a client can discover and use them.
Analogy
Like a power outlet on the wall: it offers capabilities in a standard shape that anything compatible can plug into.
Why it matters
Building or hosting an MCP server is how you make your own data and actions available to Claude in a reusable way.
In practice
A filesystem MCP server that exposes read_file and list_directory tools to Claude.