What You'll Learn
- How to build an MCP server using .NET and expose tools for language models.
- How to integrate an MCP server with VS Code and GitHub Copilot for AI-assisted development.
- How to leverage prompts and resources to enhance the interaction between language models and MCP servers.
Video Breakdown
This video provides a comprehensive introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP), covering its purpose, implementation, and usage with tools like VS Code and GitHub Copilot. It demonstrates how to build an MCP server using .NET, integrate it with language models, and leverage features like prompts and resources to enhance AI-powered development workflows.
Key Topics
Model Context Protocol
MCP Server
Tool Integration
Language Model
Github Copilot
VS Code
Video Index
Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)
This module introduces the concept of MCP, its purpose, and its growing adoption in the AI community...
This module introduces the concept of MCP, its purpose, and its growing adoption in the AI community. It also sets the stage for building and using MCP servers.
What is MCP and Why is it Important?
0:00 - 0:28
Explains the core concept of MCP and its significance in streamlining AI interactions.
MCP Definition
AI Streamlining
Standardized Interaction
MCP Adoption and Examples
1:01 - 2:13
Demonstrates the widespread adoption of MCP and provides examples of its use in various applications.
MCP Servers List
Community Embrace
Vendor Adoption
Use Case: Tesco Order with Claude AI
2:13 - 3:59
Illustrates a practical use case of MCP with a hypothetical Tesco order scenario using Claude AI.
Integration Example
Prompt Context
Real-World Application
Building an MCP Server with .NET
This module guides you through the process of building an MCP server using .NET, focusing on project...
This module guides you through the process of building an MCP server using .NET, focusing on project setup, NuGet package installation, and tool definition.
Project Setup and NuGet Package Installation
3:59 - 4:36
Covers the initial steps of setting up a .NET project and installing the necessary NuGet package for MCP.
Console Application
Nuget Package
MCP Preview
MCP Server Configuration and Transport
5:00 - 6:06
Explains how to configure the MCP server, including selecting the appropriate transport mechanism for communication.
Standard IO
Server Transport
Local Execution
Defining Tools with McpToolAttribute
6:06 - 7:35
Details how to define tools within the MCP server using the `McpToolAttribute` and the importance of the description.
Tool Definition
Mcptoolattribute
Description Importance
Implementing Tool Logic and Data Handling
8:24 - 11:31
Demonstrates how to implement the logic for a tool, including handling arguments, accessing data, and returning results.
Argument Handling
Data Filtering
Return Types
Integrating MCP with VS Code and GitHub Copilot
This module demonstrates how to integrate the MCP server with VS Code and GitHub Copilot, enabling A...
This module demonstrates how to integrate the MCP server with VS Code and GitHub Copilot, enabling AI-assisted development workflows.
Configuring GitHub Copilot Agent Mode
11:31 - 12:32
Explains how to configure GitHub Copilot's agent mode to enable advanced AI-assisted development features.
Agent Mode
Model Selection
Configuration Options
Installing and Configuring MCP Servers in VS Code
12:32 - 14:36
Details the process of installing and configuring MCP servers in VS Code using `mcp.json` files.
Mcp.Json
Server Configuration
Standard IO
Running and Testing MCP Tools in VS Code
15:12 - 17:04
Demonstrates how to run and test MCP tools directly within VS Code using GitHub Copilot.
Tool Execution
Prompt Input
Output Analysis
Explicit Tool Calling
17:11 - 17:38
Explains how to explicitly call a tool, but that is not the typical use case.
Hash Symbol
Tool Reference
Context Sending
Consuming MCP Servers in Code
This module shows how to consume MCP servers in your own code, creating an MCP client, and making di...
This module shows how to consume MCP servers in your own code, creating an MCP client, and making direct calls to tools.
Creating an MCP Client
17:38 - 18:57
Explains how to create an MCP client in your code, similar to creating an HTTP client for web APIs.
Client Creation
MCP Server
HTTP Comparison
Direct Tool Calls for Debugging
21:30 - 22:03
Demonstrates how to make direct calls to MCP tools for debugging and investigation purposes.
Remote Procedure Call
Debugging Tool
Development Usage
Using Prompts to Interact with MCP Servers
18:57 - 21:30
Explains how to use prompts to interact with MCP servers, allowing language models to determine which tool to call.
Prompt Usage
Tool Selection
Language Model
Advanced MCP Concepts: Sampling, Prompts, and Resources
This module covers advanced MCP concepts such as sampling, prompts, and resources, enhancing the int...
This module covers advanced MCP concepts such as sampling, prompts, and resources, enhancing the interaction between language models and MCP servers.
Sampling: Leveraging Language Models on the Server Side
26:30 - 29:26
Explains how MCP service code can leverage language models to enhance its functionality.
Sampling Definition
Server-Side Prompting
Client Permission
Using Prompts for Common Queries and Commands
30:42 - 32:56
Details how to use prompts to provide users with common queries or commands for the MCP server.
Prompt Templates
Slash Commands
Parameter Handling
Attaching Resources for Additional Context
32:56 - 34:52
Explains how to attach resources to prompts to provide additional context to the language model.
Resource Attachment
Context Addition
File Types
MCP Server Design Principles
35:31 - 36:56
Discusses the design principles of MCP servers, emphasizing granularity and single responsibility.
Unix Principle
Tool Specificity
Language Model Power
Playwright Integration and Future of MCP
This module demonstrates the integration of Playwright with MCP and discusses the potential future o...
This module demonstrates the integration of Playwright with MCP and discusses the potential future of MCP and AI-assisted development.
Playwright Demo: Finding Bugs on a Website
36:56 - 39:31
Demonstrates how to use Playwright with MCP to automate browser actions, such as finding bugs on a website.
Playwright Integration
Bug Detection
Automated Testing
AI Orchestration and the Future of Development
38:53 - 40:33
Discusses the potential future of AI-assisted development and the role of developers as AI orchestrators.
AI Orchestration
Abstraction Level
User Interface Evolution
MCP Inspector and Docker Deployment
40:33 - 42:51
Introduces MCP Inspector for debugging and developing MCP servers and discusses Docker deployment.
MCP Inspector
Debugging Tool
Docker Deployment
Conclusion and Further Resources
42:51 - 44:21
Summarizes the key concepts covered in the video and provides further resources for learning more about MCP.
MCP Summary
Further Learning
Additional Resources
Questions This Video Answers
What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
MCP is a standardized protocol that allows language models to connect and interact with external tools and services, enabling AI to perform actions and access information in a structured way.
How do you create an MCP server in .NET?
You can create an MCP server in .NET by using the `ModelContextProtocol` NuGet package, defining tools with the `McpToolAttribute`, and configuring the server with standard IO transport.
How can you integrate an MCP server with VS Code?
You can integrate an MCP server with VS Code by creating an `mcp.json` file in your project or user settings, specifying the command to run the server, and then enabling the server in GitHub Copilot's agent mode.
What are prompts and resources in the context of MCP?
Prompts are pre-defined templates that provide users with common queries or commands for the MCP server. Resources are data or files that can be attached to prompts to provide additional context to the language model.
How does sampling work with MCP?
Sampling allows the MCP server code to leverage a language model to enhance its functionality, such as modifying text or generating content, with the client's permission.
How can Playwright be integrated with MCP?
Playwright can be integrated with MCP to automate browser actions, such as finding bugs on a website or interacting with UI elements, allowing language models to perform complex tasks in a web environment.
Related Videos
Want to break down another video?
Break down another video