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MCP Tool

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Also called Model Context Protocol tool, Orbit MCP tool

What is MCP Tool?

A callable operation exposed through Model Context Protocol so an AI client can read Orbit state, queue work, or call approved integrations.

An MCP Tool is a structured function exposed to an AI client through the Model Context Protocol. Orbit's built-in tools cover status, completions, context, queueing, git inspection, integrations, and node routing, while Connections can expose external tools under the `mcp.<server>.<tool>` namespace. Tool calls are governed by scope, classification, approval metadata, and result-size limits so agents can act without receiving arbitrary uncontrolled access.

How it relates to Orbit

Orbit’s MCP server offers tools for queue, Git, files, context, and project status. See MCP Tool Catalog for details.

When you would use it

You use MCP tools whenever an AI session needs live Orbit data or needs to perform an approved Orbit operation from outside the dashboard UI.

Common operations

  • Calling `orbit_status` or `orbit_get_completions` from an AI chat
  • Queueing a prompt through `orbit_queue_prompt`
  • Letting Apollo call an enabled external MCP integration

Related terms

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