What MCP actually is, and when you do not need an MCP server

MCP standardises how a model calls tools outside itself. Most teams asking "how do I connect MCP" first need a model endpoint, not a server.

• MCP solves calling external things: files, databases, internal APIs.
• Route one, and usually enough: change base_url, keep the tool-calling API.
• Route two: add an MCP server only when you must expose your own tools.