Core Concepts
This section covers the foundational concepts behind every AI coding assistant — what a model is, what an agent is, and how they differ. It explains MCP (the protocol agents use to call tools), skills and tools, and the architecture of AI coding assistants. Start here if you’re building mental models; skip ahead to the Copilot section if you want Copilot-specific guidance.
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| What is a Model? | The AI engine underneath every coding assistant |
| What is an AI Coding Assistant? | The product that wraps the model |
| What is an Agent? | Autonomous task executors — and why Copilot has two kinds |
| Models vs Agents | The core comparison — what’s different and why it matters |
| What is MCP? | The open protocol that connects agents to tools |
| Skills & Tools | What agents can actually DO |
Where to start
- What is a Model? — the foundation
- What is an Agent? — the difference from a model
- Models vs Agents — side-by-side comparison