MCP servers and skills compared

MCP servers

An MCP server gives an agent tools through the Model Context Protocol. The agent calls these tools, for example to read an issue or run a database query.

A server runs on your machine over standard input and output, or on a remote host accessed by URL.

Skills

A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file. It holds instructions, and sometimes scripts, that teach an agent a task.

The agent reads the short description up front, then loads the rest when the task comes up.

Which one you need

Use an MCP server when the agent must reach an external system, such as an API or a database.

Use a skill when the agent can already do the work, but needs instructions on how you want it done.

The two work together: a skill can tell the agent which MCP tools to call.