Strategy
MCP vs API vs SDK
MCP, APIs, and SDKs solve different parts of the same integration problem. APIs are the system contract, SDKs are developer ergonomics, and MCP is the agent-facing tool boundary.
Implementation
Path to ship.
Guide
API first
An API is built for deterministic callers. It exposes paths, methods, parameters, auth, and responses. Agents can call APIs, but raw API surfaces are often too broad and ambiguous for good model behavior.
Astrail uses API contracts as source material, then narrows them into agent-usable MCP tools with reviewable names, schemas, and runtime checks.
Guide
MCP for agents, SDKs for teams
MCP lets an agent ask what tools exist and call them through a predictable protocol. SDKs let engineers own clients, tests, docs, and packaging in their own repos.
The practical path is to prove behavior through hosted MCP, then export SDKs when the integration deserves long-lived engineering ownership.
FAQ
Common questions.
Is MCP a replacement for APIs?
No. MCP usually wraps APIs, websites, or workflows so agents can use them through a safer and more discoverable interface.
When should I export an SDK?
Export an SDK when the tool becomes part of a product, internal platform, customer integration, or package workflow that your team needs to own.