MCP Authorization with Dynamic Client Registration
MCP authorization can be implemented using Dynamic Client Registration, enabling clients to register with authorization servers on the fly to obtain credentials. This OAuth 2.0-based approach supports secure, scalable MCP deployments without pre-configuring every client individually.
Background
- **MCP** (Model Context Protocol) is an open protocol from Anthropic that standardises how AI agents connect to external tools, databases, and APIs — a "USB-C for AI."
- **Dynamic Client Registration** is an OAuth 2.0 feature (RFC 7591) that lets an app register itself with an authorisation server automatically, without manual setup. Applied to MCP, it allows an AI agent to get access tokens for user services on the fly.
- **Why it matters:** As AI agents take actions (email, payments, docs), security is critical. Without proper auth, a malicious prompt could trick an agent into unauthorised actions. This post shows how MCP plus dynamic registration lets agents request permission explicitly, giving users consent control.
- **Background:** MCP (late 2024) competes with OpenAI function calling and Google A2A. Its security model is still maturing; this post addresses how MCP servers handle user consent and credential management.