MCP Servers: Your Next User Is An AI Agent

Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers are third-party extensions that connect AI assistants to external services, enabling cross-app workflows without manual data transfer. The post explains what MCP servers are, how to install them, how authentication via OAuth works, and why every software vendor should build one. It covers real-world workflow examples across industries, addresses the debate around Agent Skills vs MCP, and discusses tradeoffs including security risks (prompt injection), inflated LLM token costs, legal implications, and app store monetization restrictions. The author argues MCP servers are a must-have interface layer for any service, comparable in importance to having a mobile app or website.