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What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and what problem does it solve?

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01

Understand the problem

A USB port for AI tools: one open protocol connecting any model client to any tool server.

mcpprotocoltoolsintegration
02

Attempt it yourself

Sketch your approach before reading the solution — that's what interviews test.

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03

Study the solution

The solution is waiting

Give it an honest attempt first — then compare your thinking with the full walkthrough.

04

Read the code

Minimal MCP server (TypeScript SDK)
import { McpServer } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/mcp.js";
import { StdioServerTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/stdio.js";
import { z } from "zod";

const server = new McpServer({ name: "orders", version: "1.0.0" });

server.tool(
  "search_orders",
  "Search orders by customer and status.",
  { customerId: z.string(), status: z.enum(["open", "shipped", "returned"]) },
  async ({ customerId, status }) => ({
    content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(await findOrders(customerId, status)) }],
  }),
);

await server.connect(new StdioServerTransport());
// any MCP client (Claude Code, IDE, custom host) can now discover + call it
05

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