# MCP Elicitation

> An MCP pattern where a server asks the client to gather structured user input or send the user through an out-of-band URL flow.

- Category: Tools & Protocols
- Stage: Emerging
- Also called: Elicitation, User input request
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/mcp-elicitation

## Plain English

The connector can ask for the missing approval or detail without hiding that request inside the model prompt.

## Example

A payroll MCP server asks the user to confirm a pay period before a tool call continues.

## Why it matters

Elicitation is important for consent, sensitive credentials, and workflows that need user input mid-run.

## Related

- [Human-in-the-Loop](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/human-in-the-loop)
- [Approval Gate](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/approval-gate)
- [MCP Tasks](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/mcp-tasks)

## Sources

- [MCP: Elicitation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-11-25/client/elicitation)