Understanding MCP Servers: What They Are and Why They Matter
Model Context Protocol servers are the backbone of Claude's extensibility. Here's everything you need to know about how they work.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is what makes Claude truly extensible. But what exactly are MCP servers, and why should you care?
What is MCP?
MCP is an open protocol that allows Claude to connect to external tools and data sources. Think of it like USB ports for AI — a standardized way to plug in new capabilities.
How MCP Servers Work
An MCP server exposes "tools" that Claude can call. For example:
- A PostgreSQL MCP server lets Claude query your database
- A GitHub MCP server lets Claude manage repos and PRs
- A Slack MCP server lets Claude send messages
The key insight: Claude doesn't need custom integrations for each service. Any tool that speaks MCP can connect.
The Numbers
As of March 2026:
- 500+ MCP servers in the ecosystem
- Official servers from GitHub, Cloudflare, AWS, Stripe, and more
- Community servers covering databases, browsers, DevOps, AI, and more
Getting Started
- Browse MCP servers at skiln.co/mcps
- Find one you need
- Copy the install command
- Add it to your Claude configuration
The MCP ecosystem is growing fast. New servers are added daily, and Skiln tracks them all automatically.
Browse all MCP servers at skiln.co/mcps.