---
id: "entity-mcp"
type: "entity"
entityType: "tool"
canonicalName: "MCP (Model Context Protocol)"
aliases: ["MCP", "Model Context Protocol"]
source_timestamps: ["§ Information Systems"]
tags: ["protocol", "api"]
related: ["concept-programmatic-agent-interfaces"]
canonical_url: "https://modelcontextprotocol.io"
sources: ["agentic"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-agentic"
originDay: 6
articleStem: "hbr-ext-17-workplace-set-up-for-agents"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/01/is-your-workplace-set-up-for-ai-agents"
sourceTitle: "Is Your Workplace Set Up for AI Agents?"
---
# MCP (Model Context Protocol)

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an emerging open protocol for connecting LLMs/agents to tools, data, and APIs in a standardized way. In the source it is cited as an early step toward standardizing [[concept-programmatic-agent-interfaces|agent-accessible interfaces]], letting legacy systems be wrapped so agents interact programmatically instead of through human UIs — the mechanism behind [[action-build-programmatic-interfaces]]. Its pace of adoption by major SaaS vendors is the subject of the [[question-legacy-vendor-adaptation|open question on legacy-vendor adaptation]]. Canonical reference: https://modelcontextprotocol.io


## Related across articles
- [[action-diversify-tech-stack]]