MCP API Integrations

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

James Chapman

AI Curriculum Manager, DataCamp

mcp_code_flow_v2.png

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Improvements

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Improvements

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Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Improvements

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Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Timeout and Error Handling

import requests

@mcp.tool()
def convert_timezone(date_time: str, from_timezone: str, to_timezone: str) -> str:
    payload = {"dateTime": date_time, "fromTimezone": from_timezone, "toTimezone": to_timezone}


    try:
        r = requests.post("https://api.opentimezone.com/convert", json=payload, timeout=10)

        r.raise_for_status()

        data = r.json()
        converted_time = data.get("dateTime", "N/A")
        return f"Time in {to_timezone}: {converted_time}"

    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        return f"Error converting timezone: {e}"
Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Authentication: The Do's and Don'ts

 

  • API keys → always accessed server-side

 

local_api1.png

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Authentication: The Do's and Don'ts

 

  • API keys → always accessed server-side
    • Local Host: Environment variables, .env

 

local_api2.png

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Authentication: The Do's and Don'ts

 

  • API keys → always accessed server-side
    • Local Host: Environment variables, .env
    • Remote Host: Environment variables, managed secrets

 

remote_api1.png

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Authentication: The Do's and Don'ts

 

  • API keys → always accessed server-side
    • Local Host: Environment variables, .env
    • Remote Host: Environment variables, managed secrets

The client never sends, receives, or accesses the credentials

 

remote_api2.png

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

API Authentication: The Do's and Don'ts

 

  • API keys → always accessed server-side
    • Local Host: Environment variables, .env
    • Remote Host: Environment variables, managed secrets

The client never sends, receives, or accesses the credentials

❌ Hard-coded, inserted into URLs, logged

❌ Tools argument or tool results

 

remote_api3.png

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)
import os
import requests

@mcp.tool()
def convert_timezone(date_time: str, from_timezone: str, to_timezone: str) -> str:

    headers = {"Content-Type": "application/json"}

    api_key = os.environ.get("TIMEZONE_API_KEY")
    if api_key:
        headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {api_key}"

    payload = {"dateTime": date_time, "fromTimezone": from_timezone, "toTimezone": to_timezone}
    try:
        r = requests.post("https://api.opentimezone.com/convert", json=payload, headers=headers, timeout=10)
        r.raise_for_status()
        data = r.json()
        converted_time = data.get("dateTime", "N/A")
        return f"Time in {to_timezone}: {converted_time}"
    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        return f"Error converting timezone: {e}"
Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Let's practice!

Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)

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