MCP resource
An MCP resource is a URI-addressable source of data or content that a server exposes through the Model Context Protocol for clients to access.
Spring AI in Action
An MCP resource is a named, described, URI-addressable source of contextual content exposed through the Model Context Protocol.
- How it is used
- Supplies predefined domain context to applications that use structured interfaces, prompts, and generative AI.
- How deep it goes
- Explains metadata, repository-backed content, synchronous reads, inspection, and annotation alternatives without detailing the protocol internals.
- Examples
- Uses a repository-backed game list with a games://game-list URI and displays it through MCP Inspector.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch as a Spring MCP resource backed by repository data or an annotated provider method.
Hugging Face in Action
An MCP resource is a server-provided data source that an MCP client can inspect or access through the Model Context Protocol.
- How it is used
- Supplies external data that Tools or AI assistants can retrieve through the Model Context Protocol.
- How deep it goes
- Explains resource roles, URI-like registration, path validation, file and PDF extraction, and Inspector testing without detailing protocol internals.
- Examples
- Demonstrates text-file retrieval, static configuration, PDF extraction, URI templates, and MCP Inspector reads.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch by registering Python functions as resources and validating them with the MCP Inspector.
AI Agents in Action, Second Edition
An MCP resource is a data-bearing capability that an MCP server exposes for a client, agent, or language model to read.
- How it is used
- Supplies user- or application-selected data to an agent conversation through an MCP server.
- How deep it goes
- Defines resources, contrasts them with tools and prompts, and stops short of detailed resource implementation.
- Examples
- Uses databases, files, configurations, web APIs, and service integrations as resource examples.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate whether data access belongs in a resource, tool, or prompt and understand its place in MCP architecture.
Read how AI Agents in Action, Second Edition explains MCP resource →
Build AI-Enhanced Web Apps
An MCP resource is a uniquely identified piece of data or content that an MCP server exposes for clients to retrieve and interact with.
- How it is used
- Provides reusable context and reference material to AI applications through an MCP server.
- How deep it goes
- Defines registration, identifiers, URIs, structured responses, and operational concerns without detailing resource implementation code.
- Examples
- Uses MCP Inspector and a local MCP server to explore available resources interactively.
- What you can do after
- Operate/configure MCP resources with unique URIs, predictable responses, and inspectable client-server integration.
Related concepts
- toolcontrasts with · A tool is an instrument or software capability that enables a person or system to perform a task, obtain information, or interact with resources.
- MCP serverpart of · An MCP server is software that implements the Model Context Protocol to expose capabilities or information to compatible clients.
- MCPused by · The Model Context Protocol is an open standard protocol that defines how AI applications connect with external tools, data sources, and other contextual resources.
- mcp clientused by · An MCP client is a software component that connects a host application to an MCP server to discover and invoke capabilities exposed through the Model Context Protocol.
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