# Opinion: Model Context Protocol still valuable despite full coding agents

Digest AI · Agents & Tools · published 2026-09-20T20:24:41Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/opinion-model-context-protocol-still-valuable-despite-full-coding-agen

## Summary

Simon Willison argues that the Model Context Protocol (MCP) remains useful even as powerful terminal agents like Claude Code, Codex, Meta Muse and OpenClaw gain unrestricted internet access. He notes that while such agents can call APIs directly, many deployments need tighter control.

Willison lists four reasons to keep MCP: precise control over which external services an agent may reach, a secure method for handling authentication that keeps API keys hidden from the agent, a user interface for connecting and authorising additional services, and robust audit logging of all agent actions. He cautions that dismissing MCP as obsolete overlooks these broader operational needs.

The piece is an opinion column, reflecting the author's perspective rather than reporting new data or announcements.

## Key points

- MCP lets operators restrict which external services an AI agent can call.
- It provides authentication handling that keeps API keys hidden from the agent.
- MCP includes a UI for service connections and audit logging of agent activity.

## Why it matters

MCP offers security, compliance and governance mechanisms for AI agents, helping businesses adopt agents without exposing sensitive credentials or losing visibility into actions.

## Sources

1. [MCP was always a bad idea?](https://simonwillison.net/2026/Sep/20/hn-49779718) (Simon Willison, 2026-09-20)

Part of the developing story: [The Enduring Rise of Model Context Protocol](https://digestai.news/thread/google-launches-model-context-protocol-for-ai-agents-to-control-home-devices) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Opinion: Model Context Protocol still valuable despite full coding agents", 20 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/opinion-model-context-protocol-still-valuable-despite-full-coding-agen

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