Content
# Let's Learn MCP with Python - Tutorial Series
A comprehensive guide to understanding and building Model Context Protocol (MCP) Servers for Python developers through interactive learning experiences.
## What You'll Build
By the end of this tutorial series, you'll have:
1. **🐍 Python Study Buddy App** - An interactive console application that uses a custom MCP server to help developers learn Python concepts at beginner, intermediate, and expert levels
2. **🧠 AI Research Learning MCP Server** - Your own advanced MCP server that helps AI assistants find the latest AI/ML research papers, highlight top discoveries, and create personalized study plans
## Tutorial Structure
### [Part 1: Prerequisites and Setup](part1-setup.md)
**⏱️ Time: 15-20 minutes**
Set up your development environment and understand MCP fundamentals:
- Install VS Code, Python 3.12+, and Python extension
- Learn what Model Context Protocol is and why it matters
- Understand the client-server architecture
- Verify your development environment
**Start here**: [Part 1: Prerequisites and Setup →](part1-setup.md)
* Note for a more in depth 'Getting Started' with MCP Demo check out [mcp-python-demo](https://github.com/pamelafox/mcp-python-demo)
---
### [Part 2: Using MCP Servers - Python Study Buddy](part2-study-buddy-python.md)
**⏱️ Time: 20-35 minutes**
**Key Learning Objectives:**
1. Create a basic MCP server in Python
2. Use prompts with MCP
3. Use basic tools with MCP
**Outcomes:**
Building an interactive Python learning companion:
- Configure a custom Python Learning MCP server
- Create Python models for learning concepts using dataclasses
- Build an interactive study session with progress tracking
- Generate personalized coding challenges and explanations
- Understand how AI assistants can enhance learning experiences
**Example of what you'll create**:
```
🐍 Python Study Buddy - Interactive Learning Session
===================================================
Level: Intermediate
Topic: List Comprehensions
Progress: 3/10 concepts mastered
Challenge: Create a list comprehension that filters even numbers...
💡 Hint: Use the modulo operator (%) to check for even numbers
🎯 Your mission: Write code that demonstrates understanding!
```
**Continue to**: [Part 2: Python Study Buddy →](part2-study-buddy.md)
---
### [Part 3: Building Your Own MCP Server - AI Research Learning Assistant](part3-ai-research-server-python.md)
**⏱️ Time: 20-35 minutes**
**Key Learning Objectives:**
1. Find and use external MCP servers
2. Add resources with MCP
3. Automate Tasks with MCP
**Outcomes:**
Build an advanced MCP server that helps you keep up with the latest AI Research:
- Create an AI/ML research paper discovery service
- Implement tools for finding trending papers and breakthroughs
- Build personalized study plan generation capabilities
- Create intelligent content summarization and ranking
- Store daily AI Research Learning Notes in a Github Repo
**What you'll build**:
- `search_research_papers()` - Find latest AI/ML research by topic
- `get_trending_papers()` - Discover what's hot in AI research
- `create_study_plan()` - Generate personalized learning roadmaps
- `summarize_paper()` - Create digestible summaries of complex research
- `track_learning_progress()` - Monitor study achievements and goals
- `send_research_learning()` - Send study daily study note to the user
**Continue to**: [Part 3: AI Research Learning Hub →](./part3-ai-research.md)
---
## Quick Start
If you're ready to dive in immediately:
1. **Prerequisites**: Ensure you have VS Code, Python 3.12+, Docker and Python extension installed
2. **Choose your path**:
- 🆕 **Need help getting set up?** Start with [Part 1: Setup](part1-setup.md)
- � **Want to learn Python with MCP?** Jump to [Part 2: Python Study Buddy](part2-study-buddy.md)
- 🧠 **Ready to build AI research tools?** Go to [Part 3: AI Research Server](part3-ai-research-server.md)
## Repository Structure
```
letslearnmcp-python/
├── README.md # This overview
├── part1-setup.md # Prerequisites and environment setup
├── part2-study-buddy.md # Building Python learning companion
└── part3-ai-research-server.md # Creating AI research discovery server
```
## Additional Resources
- 📖 [MCP Official Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)
- 🛠️ [Python MCP SDK Repository](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk)
- 🐍 [Python MCP Examples](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers)
- 🧠 [Quick Start Python MCP Demo](https://github.com/pamelafox/mcp-python-demo)
- 📚 [ArXiv API Documentation](https://arxiv.org/help/api/user-manual)
- 🔬 [Papers With Code API](https://paperswithcode.com/api/v1/docs/)
## Contributing
This tutorial is open source! Feel free to:
- 🐛 Submit improvements and corrections
- 💡 Add more examples and use cases
- 🤝 Share your own MCP server implementations
- 💬 Help others in the discussions
---
**Ready to get started?** Begin with [Part 1: Prerequisites and Setup →](part1-setup.md)
*Happy learning! 🐍🧠*
