Guide to MCP '26
The largest revision to the MCP spec since launch ships July 28, 2026. Arcade is your guide through all of it.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) was developed as an open standard for connecting AI agents to external tools and data sources. Instead of every agent and every tool negotiating their own bespoke integration, MCP provides a shared protocol that any compliant client and server can use to discover tools, share context, and coordinate action. This protocol is the critical foundation that Arcade.dev contributes to, and builds on, to enable agents to touch real users and systems.
Since the initial MCP release in November, 2024, tracked MCP servers have gone from a few hundred to 10,000-plus, with over 97 million monthly downloads of the official SDK and growth accelerating.
In response to the evolution from early-stage prototyping to enterprise production, on July 28, 2026, MCP will ship the largest revision to its spec since launch. Arcade is your guide through all of it: what's new, what's changing, what breaks, and how to migrate efficiently and effectively.
Live Webinar: Understanding the MCP '26 release
A technical, hands-on walkthrough of everything shipping in the MCP '26 spec with live demos and a Q&A.
Hosted by Mateo Torres , Arcade Developer Advocate Can't make it live? Register and we'll send you the recording.
Explainers
What's changing in the new release, and why.
- More coming soon
How-To
Practical guides and explanations for adopting the new spec.
- More coming soon
Essentials
Foundational MCP coverage to get you up to speed.
- More coming soon
Come celebrate: the MCP Graduation Party
MCP is graduating from early-stage prototyping to enterprise production — and that calls for a party. Join Arcade and friends in San Francisco to toast the '26 release.
Arcade's Guide to MCP '26
Everything you need to know about the '26 spec, migrations, and what's changing — packaged into one developer-focused white paper.