> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://v2.dataos.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://v2.dataos.info/references/interfaces/ai-activation/mcp-components.md).

# MCP components

MCP uses a host-client-server model. In AI activation, these components let a model use Data Product capabilities safely.

## Core components

| Component | Meaning in MCP                                                                      | Example in AI activation                                                                        |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Host      | The application that provides the user experience and contains the model.           | Cursor, Claude, Copilot in VS Code, Codex Desktop, or a custom agentic application.             |
| Client    | The protocol connector created by the host for a specific MCP server.               | The MCP connection configured inside the assistant for Data Product MCP.                        |
| Server    | The endpoint that exposes MCP capabilities.                                         | Data Product MCP hosts tools for building, discovering, querying, and inspecting Data Products. |
| Tools     | Callable operations the model can request through the client.                       | `search`, `vulcan_about`, `vulcan_query`, `vulcan_quality`, `lineage`, and `table_profile`.     |
| Resources | Read-only context a server can expose when supported by the implementation.         | Documentation, metadata, examples, schema context, or other reference material.                 |
| Prompts   | Reusable prompt templates a server can expose when supported by the implementation. | Guided prompts for investigation, metric validation, or builder workflows.                      |

## Why the client matters

A host can connect to many MCP servers at once. Each connection uses its own client.

The client handles four jobs:

1. Connects to one MCP server.
2. Negotiates supported capabilities.
3. Lists the tools available to the model.
4. Sends tool calls when the model needs external context or action.

A host may connect to Data Product MCP and a separate code or ticketing server in the same session. The host chooses which connection to use based on the user's prompt and the model's plan.

## What stays authoritative

The assistant is the interaction surface. It is not the authority on the data.

Data Product MCP is the controlled bridge. The Data Product remains the system of record for semantics, contracts, policies, quality, lineage, ownership, and runtime access.


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