MCP host

MCP host: The LLM application that starts client connections and asks the user for consent. Example: The spec names hosts, clients and servers as the three roles. Next in the glossary is MCP registry: A catalog of MCP server metadata that clients and directories read; the official one is registry.modelcontextprotocol.io.

Definition

The LLM application that starts client connections and asks the user for consent.

Example, with source

The spec names hosts, clients and servers as the three roles. (modelcontextprotocol.io, read 4 November 2026)

Where it appears on this site

• MCP

Neighbouring terms

• MCP gateway: A proxy in front of MCP servers that authenticates callers, injects upstream credentials, filters tools and logs calls.
• MCP registry: A catalog of MCP server metadata that clients and directories read; the official one is registry.modelcontextprotocol.io.
• MCP server: A program that exposes tools, resources or prompts to MCP clients over stdio or Streamable HTTP.