---
title: Introduction
description: 'Get started with the Model Context Protocol (MCP)'
---

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that enables seamless integration between LLM applications and external data sources and tools. Whether you're building an AI-powered IDE, enhancing a chat interface, or creating custom AI workflows, MCP provides a standardized way to connect LLMs with the context they need.

## Get started with MCP 

Choose the path that best fits your needs:

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card
    title="Quickstart"
    icon="bolt"
    href="/quickstart"
  >
    The fastest way to see MCP in action - connect example servers to Claude Desktop
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Build Your First Server (Python)"
    icon="python"
    href="/docs/first-server/python"
  >
    Create a simple MCP server in Python to understand the basics
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Build Your First Server (TypeScript)"
    icon="code"
    href="/docs/first-server/typescript"
  >
    Create a simple MCP server in TypeScript to understand the basics
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Explore MCP

Dive deeper into MCP's core concepts and capabilities:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Core Architecture"
    icon="sitemap"
    href="/docs/concepts/architecture"
  >
    Understand how MCP connects clients, servers, and LLMs
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Resources"
    icon="database"
    href="/docs/concepts/resources"
  >
    Expose data and content from your servers to LLMs
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Prompts"
    icon="message"
    href="/docs/concepts/prompts"
  >
    Create reusable prompt templates and workflows
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Tools"
    icon="wrench"
    href="/docs/concepts/tools"
  >
    Enable LLMs to perform actions through your server
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Sampling"
    icon="robot"
    href="/docs/concepts/sampling"
  >
    Let your servers request completions from LLMs
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Transport"
    icon="network-wired"
    href="/docs/concepts/transport"
  >
    Learn about MCP's communication mechanisms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Contributing

Want to contribute? Check out our [GitHub repository](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol) or join our growing community of developers building with MCP.