🗓️ 19092026 2037
An MCP resource is data a server makes available for an AI application to read, such as a file, database schema, or record. Resources provide context; they do not perform an action.
Mental model
server lists resources -> host chooses useful resource -> host reads it -> model receives selected context
The host controls when resources enter a conversation. A server can offer resource templates for parameterized data, such as a path-based file lookup.
Resources versus tools
Use a resource when the main need is to read context. Use a tool when the application needs to perform an operation or calculate a result. The distinction helps users and hosts understand the possible side effects.
Do not assume that a resource is harmless merely because it is read-only. Its contents can be private, stale, or untrusted.