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Skill vs MCP Decider

Answer a few questions about your agent capability and get a practical recommendation: write a skill, build an MCP server, or use both.

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How to read the result

A skill recommendation means the main asset is procedural knowledge. An MCP recommendation means the core value is a live integration. A both recommendation means the integration needs protocol plumbing and the agent still needs guidance on when to use it, how to recover, and what counts as correct.

If the decider recommends a skill, start with the Skill Scaffold Generator. If it recommends MCP, read the portability guide and keep the skill as an optional workflow layer rather than forcing instructions into a server.

FAQ

Can a project need both a skill and an MCP server?

Yes. Use MCP for the external system connection or action surface, and use a skill to teach the agent the workflow, decision rules, and validation steps around that connection.

When is a skill enough?

A skill is usually enough when the work is mostly procedural knowledge, reusable instructions, examples, bundled references, or safe local scripts rather than a live external integration.

When is MCP the better starting point?

MCP is the better starting point when the agent needs authenticated access to external data, live API calls, stateful operations, or tools that should be reused across MCP-compatible hosts.

Skill vs MCP Decider

Describe the capability

Skill

Suggested first move

How to read the result

FAQ