5 Well-Known and 5 Less-Known MCP Concepts with Examples
Written by - Millan Kaul
Let’s dive in!
Well-Known MCP Concepts
| Concept | Definition | Example Use Case | Reference Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tool Invocation | AI agent calls external APIs or tools in a standardized way. | An agent fetches invoice details by calling an accounting API via MCP. | Merge.dev |
| Session Memory | Persistence of conversational context across steps or platforms. | User pauses a product return on mobile, resumes later on web with all context preserved. | ActivePieces |
| Cross-Platform Context Sharing | Transfer of history, context, and tasks across devices/apps. | User starts booking a flight in mobile, changes seat via voice assistant—context seamlessly moves. | AWS |
| Enterprise System Integration | Unified connectivity to ERPs, CRMs, HR, and more via MCP. | Sales agent merges account data from Salesforce and Oracle ERP in one query. | ActivePieces |
| Multi-Modal Decision Support | Combining real-time and historical data sources through MCP. | Factory sensors report vibration; MCP agent accesses machine data then schedules maintenance. | ActivePieces |
Less-Known MCP Concepts
| Concept | Definition | Example Use Case | Reference Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Client ID Metadata Documents | Document-based trust for clients and servers with no prior relationship. | A 3rd-party tool authenticates with a cloud service using a metadata document in the MCP handshake. | Descope |
| Secure Elicitation | Enhanced protocol for securely gathering sensitive info. | Payment provider linked via secure MCP authentication link, not exposed in chat. | Descope |
| Sampling Requests | Server requests client LLM to summarize or generate, not just call tools. | Code review server asks client LLM for summary of changes. | Descope |
| Ad Hoc Data Lookups | On-demand, live retrieval from diverse sources using MCP. | Agent instantly queries ERP if PO number exists before invoice approval. | Merge.dev |
| Registry and Trust Management | Centralized registration and discovery of MCP servers/tools. | Enterprise platform auto-verifies and lists new AI tools for integration, ensuring secure access. | ActivePieces |
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