Glossary
In plain English
Every word you need to use AI connectors, explained simply — no jargon to explain the jargon. Open "go deeper" for the next layer.
Connector
A switch in Claude or ChatGPT that lets your AI use another app — like Canva, Notion, or Gmail. Flip it on in settings and your AI can do things there for you.
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In the settings of Claude or ChatGPT you'll find a "Connectors" (or "Apps") list. Each one links your account to a tool. Some are one-click; some ask you to log in.
MCP (Model Context Protocol)
The shared "plug shape" that lets any AI app connect to any tool. Think of it like USB, but for AI — one standard, so everything fits together.
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MCP is an open standard started by Anthropic and now stewarded by the Linux Foundation. Because it's shared, the same connector works in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and more.
MCP server
The little program on the other end of a connector — the thing that actually does the work (reads your files, makes a design). "Connector" is just the friendly word for it.
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Every server here is an MCP server. Companies often call the consumer version a "connector" and the technical one an "MCP server" — same idea, different audience.
AI assistant (client)
The app you chat with: Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor. It's the thing that uses connectors. Sometimes called the "client".
Agent
An AI that can take actions for you — not just answer, but open apps, send messages, make files — by using connectors.
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The more connectors an agent has, the more it can actually do. Most "agents" are just an assistant plus a few well-chosen connectors.
Local vs Cloud
Local means it runs on your computer (your files stay with you). Cloud means it runs on the internet (you connect with your account). Every server here is tagged so you know.
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Some are "hybrid": a small program on your machine that talks to a cloud service. Local is more private; cloud is usually easier to turn on.
Prompt
What you ask the AI. "Make a 15-second video from this photo" is a prompt. With a connector on, the AI can actually carry it out.
Tokens
How AI measures text length, a bit like word count. More tokens means more it reads or writes — and on paid plans, more it can cost.
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Some connectors pull in a lot of data (and tokens); others are light. We flag heavy ones so there are no surprises.
OAuth
The "Log in with…" pop-up. It's how you safely connect an app without ever handing over your password.
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You stay in control: you can see what you allowed and disconnect any time from the app's settings.
API key
A secret password for an app. Some connectors need one to work. Keep it private — treat it like a password.
Open source
The code is public — anyone can read it and check what it does. It's a trust signal, and we tag which servers are open.
Official vs community
Official means the company built it themselves. Community means someone else did. Both can be great — we mark which is which so you can decide.
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Official connectors are usually the safest bet for everyday use. Community ones can be excellent, but it's worth a quick look at who made it.
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