Choosing Between MCP, RAG, and Skills
theomitsa · x · 2026-07-18
This infographic compares three architectures for enhancing AI agents: MCP, RAG, and Skills.
- MCP tackles tool integration: it uses standardized protocols to connect external tools, avoiding the need to write custom APIs for every new tool.
- RAG addresses knowledge gaps: it retrieves relevant materials first, allowing the model to answer based on context, making it ideal for large and dynamic knowledge bases.
- Skills solve token waste from repetitive actions: they encapsulate reusable actions into skills that agents can invoke via a unified context.
The graphic also outlines their workflows and best-use scenarios: MCP is ideal for integrating external tools and services, RAG for knowledge and memory, and Skills for repeatable actions.
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