How to Use Model Context Protocol (MCP)

What is MCP?

MCP is a technology that enables AI assistants to connect and use various tools. Just like how smartphones can connect to different applications, MCP allows AI assistants to connect to different software and services.

Why Use MCP?

Imagine if your AI assistant could only chat but couldn't help you:

• Edit documents
• Operate Photoshop for image editing
• Get today's weather
• Control other software

That would be quite limiting. MCP makes AI assistants more useful by enabling them to:

• Connect to more tools: AI can use various existing tools and services
• Protect your data: All operations are performed on your device, making it more secure
• Flexible choices: You can choose different MCP tools based on your needs

How Does MCP Work?

Imagine this scenario: you want an AI assistant to help you edit a mind map, but the AI assistant doesn't know how to operate Mind Elixir software. This is where MCP comes in to bridge the gap.

Complete workflow:

1. Give instruction: "Help me add a branch to the mind map"
2. AI assistant receives instruction: Claude or ChatGPT understands your needs, but they can't directly operate Mind Elixir
3. MCP protocol comes into play:
   • AI assistant sends standardized requests through MCP client
   • Mind Elixir's MCP server receives and understands this request
   • Mind Elixir executes the specific operation (adding a branch)
   • Results are returned to the AI assistant through MCP protocol
4. See the result: A new branch appears in the mind map

Three key components:

• AI Assistant: Understands your natural language instructions and decides what needs to be done
• MCP Protocol: Provides a standardized "language" that allows AI and tools to understand each other
• MCP-enabled tools: Such as Mind Elixir, which can receive MCP instructions and execute specific operations

This is like a communication process: You (speaking) → Translator (MCP) → Foreign worker (tool software).

Popular Software Supporting MCP

Many software applications currently support MCP, allowing you to easily connect AI assistants:

Claude Desktop

• Desktop version of Claude
• First to support MCP
• Naturally has the best MCP support

Claude Code

• More suitable for programmers
• Provides more flexible configuration options in command-line environments
• Supports scripting and automation

claude mcp add --transport sse mind-elixir http://localhost:6595/sse

Cline

A VS Code extension for programmers:

• Supports VS Code and other mainstream editors
• Supports configuration of multiple AI service providers
• MCP Extension Capabilities: Create custom tools through Model Context Protocol to extend AI assistant capabilities

More clients can be found here: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/clients

Using MCP in Mind Elixir

Mind Elixir supports MCP connections, allowing you to use AI assistants to help create and edit mind maps.

Mind Elixir's AI Features

After connecting an AI assistant, you can:

• Let AI understand your mind maps: AI can comprehend the content of your mind maps
• Edit mind maps with voice: Simply say "add a branch" and AI will help you add it
• Organize mind map structure: AI can help you rearrange content for clearer logic
• Get content suggestions: AI will suggest new ideas based on your existing content

How to Connect AI Assistant

It's simple, just three steps:

Step 1: Open Mind Elixir

• Go to Mind Elixir website
• Create or open a mind map

Step 2: Add Connection in AI Assistant

Standard Configuration Method:

1. Open your MCP client
2. Go to Settings → MCP Servers
3. Add new server configuration:
   • Name: Mind Elixir
   • Transport: SSE
   • Address: http://localhost:6595/sse

Claude Code Configuration Method:

claude mcp add --transport sse mind-elixir http://localhost:6595/sse

Technical Notes:

• Mind Elixir Desktop uses fixed port 6595
• SSE (Server-Sent Events) is a real-time communication protocol
• Port conflicts may cause connection failures

Step 3: Start Using

After successful connection, open the mind map you need to modify

Then start AI conversation, for example:

• "Help me add three branches: Ideas, Plans, Actions"
• "How can this mind map be improved?"
• "Help me organize the order of this content"
• "Give me some new ideas about this topic"

Usage Tips

• Keep software open: Please keep the Mind Elixir page open while using
• Be clear in instructions: Tell AI specifically what to do for better results
• Take it step by step: Complex modifications can be completed in several steps
• Remember to save: Save your mind map after important modifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if connection fails?

1. Check port usage: Ensure port 6595 is not occupied by other programs
2. Confirm software is running: Mind Elixir Desktop must be in running state
3. Firewall settings: Check if firewall is blocking local connections
4. Restart service: Try restarting Mind Elixir Desktop

By connecting AI assistants, your mind map creation will become easier and more efficient!