Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Build advanced applications using the Model Context Protocol for enhanced AI workflows

Last updated: May 2025

Universal AI Integration Standard

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables seamless integration between AI applications and external data sources, providing a unified way to connect AI models with the tools and information they need.

๐Ÿ”Œ Resources

Data sources that AI can read from - databases, APIs, file systems

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Tools

Actions AI can perform - create files, run queries, send messages

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prompts

Pre-built templates for common workflows and interactions

๐Ÿš€ Why MCP Matters

  • โ€ข Standardization: One protocol for all AI integrations
  • โ€ข Security: User-controlled permissions and data access
  • โ€ข Composability: Mix and match servers for powerful workflows
  • โ€ข Open Source: Community-driven, vendor-neutral standard

Popular MCP Servers

Filesystem

Read, write, and navigate local file systems

Capabilities:

File operationsDirectory traversalSearch

Use Case: Local development, file management, documentation

Supabase

Query and manage PostgreSQL databases

Capabilities:

SQL queriesSchema inspectionData operations

Use Case: Database development, data analysis, backend integration

GitHub

Interact with GitHub repositories and issues

Capabilities:

Repository accessIssue managementPR operations

Use Case: Code review, project management, CI/CD workflows

Brave Search

Web search with privacy-focused results

Capabilities:

Web searchReal-time infoFact checking

Use Case: Research, fact verification, current events

Puppeteer

Browser automation and web scraping

Capabilities:

Page navigationScreenshotsForm interaction

Use Case: Testing, automation, data extraction

Context7

Access up-to-date library documentation

Capabilities:

API docsCode examplesFramework guides

Use Case: Development, learning, troubleshooting

MCP Composition Patterns

The real power of MCP emerges when you combine multiple servers together. Here are proven patterns that unlock exponential capabilities through composition.

๐Ÿ—๏ธ Full-Stack Development Stack

Filesystem + Supabase + GitHub + Context7

  • โ€ข Filesystem: Read/write project files, create components
  • โ€ข Supabase: Query database, update schemas, test queries
  • โ€ข GitHub: Create PRs, manage issues, review code
  • โ€ข Context7: Access latest Next.js/React documentation

Example workflow: Claude reads your database schema (Supabase), references latest Next.js docs (Context7), creates components (Filesystem), and opens a PR (GitHub) - all autonomously.

๐Ÿ” Research & Fact Verification Stack

Brave Search + Puppeteer + Filesystem

  • โ€ข Brave Search: Find sources and recent information
  • โ€ข Puppeteer: Navigate sites, extract data, take screenshots
  • โ€ข Filesystem: Save findings, create reports

Example workflow: Claude searches for sources (Brave), visits and extracts specific data (Puppeteer), then compiles a verified report with citations (Filesystem).

๐Ÿ“Š Data Pipeline Stack

Puppeteer + Supabase + Filesystem

  • โ€ข Puppeteer: Extract data from websites
  • โ€ข Supabase: Store structured data in database
  • โ€ข Filesystem: Export reports and analytics

Example workflow: Claude scrapes competitor pricing (Puppeteer), stores in normalized tables (Supabase), and generates comparison reports (Filesystem).

๐Ÿงช Testing & QA Stack

Puppeteer + Filesystem + GitHub + Supabase

  • โ€ข Puppeteer: Run E2E tests, capture screenshots
  • โ€ข Supabase: Verify database state after operations
  • โ€ข Filesystem: Generate test reports, update snapshots
  • โ€ข GitHub: Create issues for failures, comment on PRs

Example workflow: Claude runs UI tests (Puppeteer), verifies data integrity (Supabase), generates coverage reports (Filesystem), and files issues for regressions (GitHub).

๐Ÿ’ก Composition Pro Tip

Start with one MCP server, master its capabilities, then gradually add complementary servers. The most powerful workflows emerge from 3-4 well-chosen servers working together, not from trying to connect everything at once.

Getting Started with MCP

Installation

1. Install Claude Desktop or Claude Code CLI

npm install -g claude-cli

2. Add an MCP server (example: Supabase)

claude mcp add supabase -s project \ -e SUPABASE_ACCESS_TOKEN=your_token \ -- npx -y @supabase/mcp-server-supabase \ --project-ref=your_project_ref --read-only

3. Verify installation

claude mcp list

โš ๏ธ Security Best Practices

  • โ€ข Start with --read-only flags when possible
  • โ€ข Use project-level scoping (-s project) for database servers
  • โ€ข Never commit access tokens to version control
  • โ€ข Regularly audit MCP server permissions with claude mcp list

Resources & Community