# The beginner's guide to MCP

Original 5HO practice material. Fictional example. Reviewed 5 October 2026.

## Useful result

You'll finish with a public documentation MCP connection and a source-backed test answer.

MCP is a standard for connecting an AI app to tools and information. It is not another chatbot. Try a documentation-only connection first, before introducing your inbox to the arrangement.

## Set up

Allow 20–30 minutes. The example uses an already installed Codex CLI and OpenAI’s public Docs MCP server. Codex account access is separate from this public endpoint. If you do not use the CLI, follow the linked official instructions for your supported client.

## Practice input

Server name: openaiDeveloperDocs. Endpoint: https://developers.openai.com/mcp. Test question: find the current documentation for creating an Agent Skill and list its required file fields.

## Do the task

1. Read the official Docs MCP quickstart. In Codex CLI, add it with: codex mcp add openaiDeveloperDocs --url https://developers.openai.com/mcp
2. Start a session that can see the server and ask the test question, naming the documentation tool explicitly.
3. Open the returned documentation link. Disconnect or remove the test connection through the client controls when finished.

## Prompt

Use the openaiDeveloperDocs MCP tools to find the Agent Skills file requirements. Give the documentation URL and required fields. If the connection is unavailable, report that instead of answering from memory.

## Refine

Show which information came from the connected documentation. Do not request access to private files, email or unrelated services.

## Expected checks

A successful answer should identify SKILL.md and required name and description metadata with a current source. A correct-looking answer without a tool call does not verify the connection.

## Save

Save the server name, endpoint and test outcome. Public documentation access does not prove any private app connection is configured.

## Sources

- OpenAI Docs MCP setup and test: https://developers.openai.com/learn/docs-mcp