Building your first MCP server: How to extend AI tools with custom capabilities

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) offers a standardized method for extending the capabilities of AI tools, allowing them to access external systems and perform actions on behalf of users. Chris Reddington explores MCP by creating a turn-based game server, demonstrating how MCP can integrate AI tools like GitHub Copilot with custom capabilities. The project, which involves a Next.js web app, an MCP server, and shared libraries, illustrates the MCP's client-server architecture and its three core components: tools, resources, and prompts. These components enable AI tools to execute actions, gather context, and provide user guidance, thus enhancing their functionality. MCP's potential applications range from gaming to integrating with GitHub and Playwright MCP servers, providing a foundation for developers to extend AI tools in a consistent and powerful manner. Reddington emphasizes the importance of security, due diligence when using third-party MCP servers, and the flexibility offered by MCP's SDKs, which support multiple programming languages.