> Sure, there's almost no reason to use MCPs if you are running a full-blown terminal agent (Claude Code, Codex, Meta Muse, OpenClaw etc) with unfettered internet access - just let it call APIs directly.

I don't think this is a valid statement too. I'll explain why.

A MCP server represents those APIs that agents and coding assistants can call.

If you feel a need to provide data and services to agents through an API and feel so strongly about it and so compelled to implement your own APIs with the express purpose of being consumed by your agents, wouldn't it make sense to develop an API that is designed purposely for agents using a protocol designed to meet their needs and simplify their work?

Because that's what MCP is all about.

Nowadays, with the improvements in tool-calling and the dissemination of agent skills, MCP's value proposition isn't as clear as back when those weren't a given. But once you face usecases to either centralize your tools across an organization, manage access, and be able to audit it's usage, right now there is no alternative to MCP.