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MCP Management

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard, created and open-sourced by Anthropic in 2024, that standardizes how large language models (LLMs) and AI agents interact securely and flexibly with external data sources, tools, and services.

MCP acts as a common interface for AI systems: it lets a model reach external data sources, tools, and services through one protocol, integrating diverse resources to extend the model's capabilities and practical utility.

Technical architecture​

MCP uses a client-server architecture with three parts:

  • MCP host: The application running the LLM. It coordinates the interaction and manages one or more MCP clients.
  • MCP client: The bridge between the host and a server. Each client keeps a one-to-one connection with an MCP server and handles request and response transmission.
  • MCP server: The backend that actually provides the data or service — a file system, database, API, or custom tool. It responds to client requests.

MCP exchanges data bidirectionally over a standardized protocol. You can develop and deploy your own MCP servers to extend an agent's capabilities without modifying the host application, which significantly lowers the cost of integrating external tools and data sources. Because communication is bidirectional, a server can also push information or request operations, supporting more complex automated workflows. This turns an LLM from a conversational tool into an assistant that can execute tasks.

For more information, see the MCP website.

Integrate MCP with the Tuya platform​

The Tuya AI Agent Development Platform fully supports MCP server integration. By integrating an official MCP server or connecting a custom one, you extend the agent's ability to interact with third-party services and IoT devices.

This gives an LLM the "eyes, arms, and legs" to perceive and act in the physical world beyond text dialogue — making intelligent decisions on top of the LLM and establishing efficient, secure interactions with real devices and services.

Platform advantages​

  • Built for IoT device ecosystems: Tuya-enabled devices integrate plug-and-play. Add an MCP server to your agent, and the devices become immediately available across IoT scenarios.
  • Diverse MCP services: Beyond the official preconfigured MCP servers, you can create and integrate custom MCP services for both a robust ecosystem and personalized extensions.
  • Simplified development and integration: Register your service once on the platform and integrate a lightweight SDK to enable MCP server access and deployment across multiple data centers.
  • Global deployment: With coverage across five data centers worldwide, the platform supports low-latency connections to the nearest data center, meeting regional deployment and compliance requirements.
  • Secure persistent connections: Persistent connections in multiple data centers run over the WebSocket protocol, keeping data transmission confidential, complete, and available.

The platform's MCP capabilities and official MCP tools keep expanding. See the platform's open documentation for the latest updates.

Quick start​

Manage MCP​

Go to the Tuya Developer Platform > MCP Management page.

You can query official MCP services and manage custom MCP services. Switch tabs to view official services and your registered custom services.

MCP Management official services list
MCP Management official services list

MCP Management custom services list
MCP Management custom services list

If you have not registered an MCP service yet, click Add custom MCP under Custom MCP Service to register your own service. After registration, you can view its service information and configuration in the list.

To develop a custom MCP server, see Custom MCP Services.

View official MCP services​

On the Official MCP Service page, click a service to see its service and tool details.

Official MCP service details
Official MCP service details

Edit a custom MCP service​

On the Custom MCP Service tab, click a service. On the Service Details page, view the introduction, configuration, and tool details. Click Edit in the top-right corner to modify the service information and maintain its configuration.

For more information, see Custom MCP Services.

Custom MCP service details
Custom MCP service details

You can add data centers.

Add data center to a custom MCP service
Add data center to a custom MCP service

Debug MCP tools​

You can debug MCP tools on the platform.

Select an official MCP service, click the Tool tab, expand the Available tools list, then click Test Run.

note

You can only debug MCP server tools deployed in the China Data Center today.

Test Run for an MCP tool
Test Run for an MCP tool

Debug custom MCP services the same way as official ones. For more information, see Run and debug an MCP server.

Add an MCP server to your agent​

  1. On the My Agent page, select an agent and click Develop in the Operation column.

    My Agent develop entry
    My Agent develop entry

  2. Under 01 Model Configuration > Skills Configuration, click + to the right of Plugin.

    Plugin add button under Skills Configuration
    Plugin add button under Skills Configuration

  3. On the Add Tool page, add official or custom MCP service tools to your agent.

    For more information, see Add a server to an agent.

    Add Tool page
    Add Tool page

Billing​

Adding official MCP services to your agent is free, and registering custom MCP services and adding them to your agent is also free. Tuya reserves the right to introduce fees for these services in the future.

See also​