Comment by empath75

> If LLMs are so smart, why do they need a custom "MCP" format to what's commonly known as a normal API? Why can't they just call normal APIs?

LLM's _can't_ just call APIs, because all they can do is generate text. The LLM can _ask_ you to run some code, but it has no ability to run code directly. MCPs are basically a way for LLMs to signal intent to make an API call, along with a list of white listed APIs, and documentation for using them, and preloaded credentials with whatever permissions you want to give them.