Introduction to Model Context Protocol

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The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol in Cursor that allows users to provide custom tools to agentic language models, primarily used with the Agent in Composer feature. This guide will help you understand what MCP is, how it works, and why it's transforming the way developers interact with AI.

What is Model Context Protocol?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that allows you to provide custom tools to agentic language models in Cursor. It enables the Agent to access and utilize these tools when relevant to user queries, creating a more powerful development experience.

Key Benefits of MCP

  • 1
    Enhanced Context Awareness

    MCP servers understand your codebase structure, dependencies, and patterns, providing more accurate and relevant assistance.

  • 2
    Specialized Capabilities

    Different MCP servers can specialize in specific languages, frameworks, or tasks, offering deeper expertise than general-purpose AI.

  • 3
    Extensible Ecosystem

    The open protocol allows developers to create and share specialized MCP servers, continuously expanding the capabilities available to Cursor users.

  • 4
    Seamless Integration

    MCP integrates directly with Cursor IDE, providing a smooth, unified experience without requiring constant context switching.

How MCP Works

MCP operates on a client-server model where Cursor implements an MCP client that supports multiple MCP servers:

  1. Context Collection

    Cursor gathers relevant context from your workspace, including file contents, project structure, and cursor position.

  2. Server Communication

    This context is sent to the appropriate MCP server along with your query or request using supported transports (stdio or sse).

  3. Intelligent Processing

    The MCP server processes the context and request using specialized AI models and tools.

  4. Response Integration

    Cursor receives the response and integrates it seamlessly into your workflow, whether as code suggestions, explanations, or actions.

Getting Started with MCP

Ready to enhance your development experience with MCP? Follow these steps:

1. Install Cursor IDE

If you haven't already, download and install the latest version of Cursor IDE, which includes MCP support.

2. Configure MCP in Cursor

Go to Cursor Settings > Features > MCP and use the "+ Add New MCP Server" button to add new servers. You can select the transport type (stdio or sse), provide a name, and specify either a command or URL.

3. Browse Available MCP Servers

Explore our directory of community-contributed MCP servers to find ones that match your development needs.

View MCP Servers
4. Project-Specific Configuration

For project-specific MCP configurations, create a .cursor/mcp.json file in your project directory to define custom MCP servers for individual projects.

5. Start Using Enhanced AI Features

The Agent will automatically use available MCP tools when relevant. You can prompt specific tool usage by mentioning the tool by name or description.

Ready to Explore MCP Servers?

Browse our community-contributed directory of MCP servers to find the perfect tools for your development needs.

Explore MCP Servers