Integrating your AI agent with MCIP opens a gateway to intelligent commerce interactions. This system is designed for any AI platform, from established models like ChatGPT and Claude to custom-built solutions.
The core philosophy shifts away from traditional, stateless API calls and toward stateful conversations. When your AI agent connects to MCIP, it's "not just accessing an API - it's establishing a relationship" that can maintain context over time. This stateful model is what enables natural, multi-turn interactions, allowing users to refine searches, compare products, and manage carts through natural dialogue rather than rigid commands.
The integration journey begins when your AI agent establishes a connection to the MCIP server. This connection can be made using either HTTP with Server-Sent Events (SSE) for real-time streaming or WebSocket for full bidirectional communication.
| Connection Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Handshake | Your client sends an initial handshake message. This message identifies the agent and declares its capabilities (e.g., support for streaming responses). |
| 2. Server Response | The server responds with a session identifier (Session ID) and a list of available tools. |
| 3. Session | The Session ID is your key to a private, isolated workspace. This session persists for 24 hours by default and refreshes with each interaction, allowing users to leave and return to find their cart and context intact. |