Guides · 2026-10-15
Claude Skills vs MCP: What's the Difference and When to Use Each
Short answer: MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects an AI to external tools and data. Skills teach it *how* to do a job. They work best together.
| Skills | MCP | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Folder with SKILL.md instructions (+ optional scripts) | A server exposing tools/resources over a protocol |
| Gives the AI | Know-how, procedures, standards | Access: APIs, databases, apps |
| Setup | Drop a folder / upload a zip | Run or connect a server, auth |
| Context cost | Tiny until triggered | Tool definitions loaded up front |
| Example | "How we write release notes" | "Read our GitHub issues" |
When to use a skill
You keep explaining the same process, format or standard.
When to use MCP
The AI needs live data or to take actions in another system.
Together
An MCP server lets Claude read your CRM; a skill tells it how to write your weekly pipeline report from that data.