What are AI tool connections (MCP servers)?
Updated 1 October 2026
Many AI apps, such as Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code, can be given tool connections. The technical name is MCP servers (Model Context Protocol, a standard way for AI apps to use other programs).
A tool connection lets the AI do things, not just talk. For example:
| Connection | What the AI can then do |
|---|---|
| filesystem | Read and change files in the folders you chose |
| browser (Puppeteer, Playwright) | Open websites, click and type, including sites you are logged in to |
| shell or terminal | Run programs and commands on your computer |
| GitHub, Slack, email | Read and send messages or change things in those services |
Why it matters
Most AI apps ask before using a tool, but many let you choose “always allow”. After that, the AI can use the tool whenever it decides to. If the AI reads a web page or document with hidden instructions in it (called a “prompt injection”), it might be tricked into using a tool you did not expect.
What to do
- Open the AI app’s settings and find the section called Connectors, Tools, Extensions or MCP.
- Remove any connection you do not use.
- Be careful with connections that give access to all your files, a web browser or a command line.
- Do not choose “always allow” for tools that can change things.
The free scanner lists the tool connections set up in common AI apps on Windows, without copying any of their secret settings.