| Server | Scope | Transport | Status |
|---|
| Plugin | Marketplace | Version | Skills |
|---|
/name in a message to invoke)A Model Context Protocol server is a sidecar process or HTTP endpoint exposing tools to Claude. Scopes: user (your ~/.claude.json), plugin (bundled with a plugin), claude.ai (web-app connectors). Env values are never stored in this snapshot — keys only.
A plugin is a package from a marketplace (Anthropic's official catalog or Vercel's). Each plugin may bundle: an MCP server, one or more skills, or both. Managed via claude plugin install / claude plugin list.
Skills are markdown prompt-packs that Claude Code invokes on demand. Type /skill-name in any message. Built-in skills ship with Claude Code; plugin skills are installed with their parent plugin. Skills are NOT the same as MCP tools — they're prompt templates, not API calls.
In a Claude Code session, ask: "refresh the MCPs dashboard". Claude runs: