MCP basics
Learn what an MCP client, server, and gateway do.
The three parts
MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It lets AI clients discover tools and request their execution.
- Client: the application proposing a tool call.
- Server: the system exposing tools and their input schemas.
- Gateway: Durin checks access before routing a call to an upstream system.
Discovery is not permission
A listed tool describes a capability. Executing it still requires current identity, connection, resource, credential, and policy checks.
Frequently asked questions
Which clients can connect?
Use a client version that supports Durin’s remote HTTP transport and authorization flow. Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex have remote MCP configuration paths; compatibility and syntax depend on the installed version.
Is a Durin endpoint a provider credential?
No. It identifies your gateway entry point. Authenticate separately as its owner; provider credentials stay within their connection boundary.