Level 1Lesson 9⏱️ 50 min

MCP — Connect AI to Your World

Let AI access your files, emails, calendar, and other apps. Connect your world to AI.

TeacherManagerDeveloperAnalystBusinessDoctor

What is MCP?

MCP stands for "Model Context Protocol." It's a standard way to connect AI systems to your tools, files, and apps so AI can access them directly.

ℹ️

The USB-C Analogy: MCP is like USB-C for AI. Just like USB-C is a standard connector that works with thousands of devices, MCP is a standard way to connect AI to any app, file system, or data source.

Before and After MCP

Before MCP (Isolated)

Problem: AI can only see what you copy/paste.

Want AI to read your emails? Copy/paste them manually.
Want AI to check your calendar? Tell it the events in text.
Want AI to access your files? Upload them one by one.

Result: Slow, error-prone, limited access.

With MCP (Connected)

Advantage: AI directly accesses your real apps and files.

AI can read your Gmail inbox in real-time.
AI can check your Google Calendar directly.
AI can browse your Google Drive and access any file.

Result: Fast, accurate, powerful automation.

How MCP Works: The 3 Roles

MCP has three components working together:

1. Host (AI Application)

The AI system that wants to access things. Example: Claude Desktop, or Claude in your IDE.

2. Server (MCP Server)

A small program that connects the Host to a Resource. Example: "Gmail MCP Server" or "GitHub MCP Server".

3. Resource (Data/Tools)

The actual app, file, or data. Example: your Gmail account, your Google Drive, your GitHub repos.

The Flow

AI Host↔ (MCP Protocol) ↔MCP Server↔ API ↔Resource (Gmail, Drive, etc.)

You ask the AI to do something. AI talks to the MCP Server. Server talks to the Resource. Done.

What Can You Connect? Popular MCP Servers

Here are the most useful MCP servers available today. You can add any of these to your AI setup.

MCP Server	What It Connects To	What AI Can Do
Gmail	Your Gmail inbox	Read emails, search, draft replies, manage labels
Google Calendar	Your calendar events	Check schedule, create events, find free time
Google Drive	Your files and folders	Read docs, spreadsheets, PDFs; search; organize
Slack	Your Slack workspace	Read messages, post to channels, search
GitHub	Your GitHub repos	Read code, check issues, create PRs, manage repos
Notion	Your Notion workspace	Read pages, search, query databases
Jira	Your Jira board	Read issues, create tickets, update status
Web Search	The internet	Search, browse, cite sources
Local Files	Your computer's files	Read any file, write files, organize
Databases	SQL/databases you have	Query data, run reports, analyze

New servers are added constantly. Check the MCP server directory for the latest options.

Setup in Claude Desktop: How to Connect

Claude Desktop is the easiest way to use MCP. Here's how to connect servers.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 1⏱ 5 min

Install Claude Desktop

Go to claude.ai/desktop (or search 'Claude Desktop').
Download for your OS (Mac, Windows, Linux).
Install and open the app.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 2⏱ 5 min

Find the Configuration File

Open your file explorer/Finder.
Navigate to your home directory.
Find the hidden folder '.claude' (it might be hidden — show hidden files if needed).
Inside, you should see a file called 'claude_desktop_config.json'.
Open it with a text editor (VS Code, Notepad, etc.).

💡

Can't find it? Create it. The file goes in ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json (on Mac/Linux) or C:\Users\[YourName]\.claude\claude_desktop_config.json (on Windows).

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 3⏱ 10 min

Add an MCP Server

In claude_desktop_config.json, add the MCP server you want.
Here's an example JSON config (see below).
Replace [YOUR_API_KEY] with real credentials if needed.
Save the file.
Restart Claude Desktop.

Example Configuration: Gmail + Local Files

{ "mcpServers": { "gmail": { "command": "node", "args": ["~/.claude/servers/gmail-server.js"], "env": { "GMAIL_API_KEY": "[YOUR_GMAIL_API_KEY]" } }, "filesystem": { "command": "node", "args": ["~/.claude/servers/filesystem-server.js"], "env": { "ALLOWED_DIRECTORIES": "~/Documents,~/Desktop" } } } }

Note: Different MCP servers have different configuration requirements. Check the server's documentation for exact setup.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 4⏱ 5 min

Test the Connection

In Claude Desktop, start a new conversation.
Ask Claude to use the MCP server. Example: 'Check my Gmail inbox' or 'List files in my Documents folder'.
If it works, you're connected!

ℹ️

Claude will tell you if a server isn't connected. Check your config and API keys if it fails.

Practical MCP Setups by Profession

Here are MCP setups that would be useful for different jobs. Copy these ideas for your role.

For Teachers

Connect: Google Drive (lesson materials), Gmail (parent emails), Google Calendar (schedule)

Use case: "Check my Google Drive for last year's lesson on fractions. Create a new version. Check my calendar to find my prep block time."

For Managers

Connect: Gmail (emails), Google Calendar (meetings), Slack (team chat), Google Drive (docs)

Use case: "Summarize my emails this week. Check my calendar for 1:1s. Look for action items in our Slack channel."

For Developers

Connect: GitHub (repos), Local Files (code), Slack (team chat), Jira (issues)

Use case: "Review my code for security issues. Check the Jira backlog. Look at my GitHub PRs."

For Analysts

Connect: Google Drive (data files), Local Files (datasets), Gmail (data requests)

Use case: "Find all CSV files in my Google Drive. Analyze sales trends. Email the results summary."

For Business Leaders

Connect: Gmail (important messages), Google Calendar (meetings), Notion (strategic docs), Slack (team updates)

Use case: "Summarize my week: key emails, meetings, Notion updates, and team Slack messages."

For Healthcare Providers

Connect: Local Files (patient notes, HIPAA-compliant), Email (communications)

Use case: "Summarize my patient files. Draft clinical notes. Check my schedule for appointments."

Cowork Mode: For Non-Developers

If Claude Code or MCP feels too technical, there's Cowork Mode. It's a way to let Claude work on your computer while you watch and guide.

ℹ️

Cowork Mode: Claude can see your screen, move your mouse, type, and take actions on your computer. You stay in control but delegate the repetitive work.

Example: "Organize my Downloads folder by file type. Show me before you move anything."

Cowork Mode will be covered in detail in Lesson 10 (Claude Code). For now, just know it exists as an alternative for non-technical users.

Hands-On: Connect Your First MCP Server

Easiest option: Connect the Local Files server. It doesn't require API keys and works immediately.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 1⏱ 5 min

Install Claude Desktop

Download Claude Desktop from claude.ai/desktop.
Install and open it.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 2⏱ 10 min

Set Up Local Files MCP

Open your home directory in a file explorer.
Navigate to .claude folder (create it if it doesn't exist).
Create/edit claude_desktop_config.json with this config:
(See PromptBox below)

Local Files Configuration

{ "mcpServers": { "filesystem": { "command": "node", "args": ["~/.claude/servers/filesystem-server.js"], "env": { "ALLOWED_DIRECTORIES": "~/Documents,~/Desktop,~/Downloads" } } } }

Change the directories to match folders you want Claude to access.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 3⏱ 5 min

Test It

Save the config file.
Restart Claude Desktop.
In a new conversation, ask: 'List the files in my Documents folder.'
If it works, you've successfully connected your first MCP server!

💡

Start with local files. Once you understand the setup, connecting other services (Gmail, Google Drive, etc.) follows the same pattern.

🖥️HANDS-ON EXERCISE 4⏱ 10 min

Try a Real Task

Ask Claude: 'Find all PDF files in my Documents folder and summarize their names/sizes.'
Or: 'Organize my Downloads folder: move images to a new 'Images' subfolder.'
This is your AI actually accessing and working with your files.

MCP Quick Reference

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol — a standard way to connect AI to your apps, files, and data.

The 3 Roles

Host (AI app like Claude) ↔ Server (connector) ↔ Resource (Gmail, Drive, GitHub, etc.)

Popular MCP Servers

Setup Steps

1. Install Claude Desktop | 2. Find ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json | 3. Add MCP server config | 4. Restart Claude | 5. Test

Best First Server

Local Files (no API keys needed, works immediately, super useful)

Common Use Cases

Read emails, check calendar, access files, search repos, query databases, post to Slack

← AI Agents ExplainedClaude Code — Deep Dive →