🗓️ 19092026 2037
An MCP prompt is a reusable message template supplied by a server. The user normally chooses it, often through a command or menu.
Why prompts exist
Prompts package a recurring interaction such as “review this change” or “summarize this report.” A server can define arguments for the template and return ready-to-use messages after those arguments are filled in.
Prompts differ from tools and resources in control:
| Capability | Main purpose | Usual control |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt | Reusable instruction | User |
| Resource | Context data | Host |
| Tool | Operation | Model, within host controls |
Use a prompt when users should explicitly start a known workflow. Use a tool when the model needs to choose an operation while working.