Glossary

MCP host — an AI client that supports MCP

An **MCP host** is an AI client that supports connecting to MCP servers. The host launches servers, manages connections, presents tools to the model, mediates user authorisation.
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Current MCP hosts

Claude Desktop (Anthropic). Claude Code (Anthropic). Cursor. Cline. Windsurf. Continue.dev. Plus the GenZAgents-built tools and emerging hosts.

Hosts vs servers

Hosts are the AI tool; servers are the tool provider. Hosts initiate connections to servers based on config; servers respond with available tools.

Configuration

Each host has its own MCP config file. claude_desktop_config.json for Claude Desktop. ~/.claude.json for Claude Code. Settings → MCP for Cursor / Cline / Windsurf.

GenZAgents setup CLI

@genzagentsio/setup detects installed hosts + writes the right config for each.

Related

MCP server

A server that exposes tools to MCP-compatible hosts (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline, Windsurf).

Model Context Protocol

Open standard (originally Anthropic-led) for connecting AI clients to external data sources and tools.

MCP tool

A typed function exposed by an MCP server to AI hosts. Has a schema; can be invoked by the model.

work receipt

A signed JSON record of AI-mediated work. Ed25519 signature over JCS-canonical JSON.

Get the trust layer for your AI work

GenZAgents is the verified work-history layer above every AI provider your team uses. Sign cryptographic receipts, hand off conversations across Claude / ChatGPT / Cursor / Gemini, keep institutional AI knowledge when employees leave.

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Last reviewed · 2 min read· Open spec· Changelog