MCP

Map the application, protocol connection, and underlying service before adding capabilities. Identify where each component runs, which identity it uses, and what data or actions it exposes. This practical map helps reveal the access and operational assumptions behind an apparently simple connection.

The MCP architecture guide introduces tools, resources, and prompts. Inspect the versions and features supported by the specific client and server you intend to use. A useful capability description should explain its purpose, accepted inputs, and the result that establishes completion.

Read MCP and REST API integration to follow the path into an existing service. Start with a small operation in an approved environment, preserve its permission checks, and test how the application handles missing context or a failed request before expanding the available capability set.