2025-03-12 TIL: Model Context Protocol (MCP) and OpenAI new tools for building Agent

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Model Context Protocol (MCP)

MCP is an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to LLMs. Think of MCP as a USB-C port for AI applications—just as USB-C offers a standardized way to connect devices to various peripherals, MCP provides a universal way to link AI models with different data sources and tools.

MCP helps you build agents and complex workflows on top of LLMs, ensuring seamless integration with data and tools. It provides:

• A growing list of pre-built integrations that LLMs can directly plug into.
• Flexibility to switch between LLM providers and vendors.
• Best practices for securing data within your infrastructure.

🔗 Resources:

• A collection of MCP servers
• Find Awesome MCP Servers and Clients

OpenAI New Tools for Building Agents

A new set of APIs and tools specifically designed to simplify the development of agentic applications:

• Responses API – Combines the simplicity of the Chat Completions API with the tool-use capabilities of the Assistants API.
• Built-in tools – Includes web search, file search, and computer use.
• Agents SDK – Orchestrates both single-agent and multi-agent workflows.
• Integrated observability tools – Enables tracing and inspection of agent workflow execution.

MCP vs. OpenAI’s Tools

Similarities:


• ✔️ AI Integration – Simplifies external data & tool connections.

• ✔️ Modular Design – Expandable & adaptable.

Differences:

• MCP is a protocol, OpenAI’s are proprietary tools.
• MCP is open-source for cross-platform use; OpenAI’s tools optimize for its ecosystem.
• MCP requires a custom server, while OpenAI’s tools offer easier direct integration.

This morning, while making a mango breakfast, Hamer accidentally cut her finger, but she handled the bleeding surprisingly calmly.

Xiaoyan left for Thailand today—her second trip there. She had really wanted me to join her, but I hesitated and ultimately declined, which left her a bit frustrated.

I spent most of the morning restructuring the KMZ saving function and wrapped it up in the afternoon before adjusting the UI.

I also explored MCP technology, realizing I had overlooked its potential, and briefly checked out OpenAI’s new Agent tool.

Did you know?

With ArcGIS Earth Mobile, you can measure locations, distances, areas, and 3D distances in real time—perfect for quick field analysis!

🛠️ How to Measure in ArcGIS Earth Mobile

1️⃣ Open the Measure Tool & Select a Measurement Type

• 📍 Measure Location – Get longitude, latitude, and elevation at a point.
• 📏 Measure Distance – Measure the length of a path by adding points.
• 📐 Measure Area – Calculate the surface area of a polygon.
• 📊 Measure 3D Distance – Find the direct, vertical, and horizontal distances between two points.

2️⃣ Perform a Measurement Move the crosshairs to a location and tap Add ➕ to place points. You can also Undo to remove the last point or Complete to finish.

3️⃣ Save & Copy Results Tap Copy 📋 to store the result for future use.

🚀 Pro Tips

🏗️ Use 3D Distance to analyze height differences between terrain, buildings, or infrastructure.

2025-03-11 TIL: GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 2022

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Code with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 2022

• Commit & PR Message Generation & Customization
• Using Extensions to generate Mermaid Charts
• Analyzing and improving code while debugging
• Analyzing Exceptions with GitHub Copilot

Cursor Chat

A unified AI interface that combines Ask, Edit, and Agent modes to help you write, edit, and understand code directly in your editor. The interface offers three modes, selectable from the mode picker:

• Agent: AI assistant that uses tools and reasoning to perform coding tasks with minimal supervision. (Agent can make up to 25 tool calls before stopping.)
• Edit: Make single-turn edits to your code with precision and clarity.
• Ask: Ask questions about your code, get explanations, and explore your codebase.

Lately, my dreams have been unusually vivid. Last night, I dreamed of Xiaoyan searching for her classmates before a movie, only for everyone to regroup in front of a barbershop.

The morning was packed with meetings, and I even forgot one due to being so focused on planning. I felt a bit down afterward, but a round of table tennis and casual chats with colleagues lifted my mood.

In the afternoon, I tackled data storage issues, upgraded Visual Studio, and fine-tuned GitHub Copilot. Using Cursor and Claude 3.7 Sonnet, I implemented a UI design from a mockup with great results.

In the evening, Hamer and her classmate played at home until 8:30 PM, reluctant to say goodbye.

Did you know?

With ArcGIS Earth Mobile, you can draw, edit, and share geospatial features—including points, lines, and polygons—to enhance your spatial data collection and visualization. Whether marking key locations, sketching routes, or defining areas of interest, the drawing tools provide a simple yet powerful way to capture geospatial insights on the go!

🛠️ How to Create & Edit Drawings in ArcGIS Earth Mobile

1️⃣ Open Drawing Tools & Choose a Drawing Type

• Tap the Toolbox 🧰 on the home screen, then select the Draw ✏️ tool (default: Point).
• Choose from the following:
  • 📍 Point – Mark a specific location.
  • 📏 Line – Draw paths, routes, or boundaries.
  • 📐 Polygon – Define areas with multiple vertices.

2️⃣ Enhanced Editing & Interaction

• Tap a drawing to open a pop-up menu for editing attributes, adjusting styles, or deleting features.
• Modify Shapes – Drag to adjust the position or reshape a feature.
• Navigation Integration – Tap Navigate to open a third-party navigation app (e.g., ArcGIS Navigator, Google Maps, Apple Maps) for directions to your drawing.

3️⃣ Sharing & Exporting Drawings

• Manage Drawings – View all drawings in the Drawings tab in the Table of Contents.
• Control Visibility – Show/hide individual drawings for a clutter-free map.
• Save & Share as KMZ
  • 📂 Save as a Local KMZ File – Export selected drawings into a .kmz file.
  • ☁️ Share Across Devices – Upload to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise for continued editing on desktop.

🚀 Pro Tips

1️⃣ Use GPS 📍 to place points precisely at your current location. 2️⃣ Long-press a drawing for quick options like edit, delete, or share. ✨

2025-03-10 TIL: Arcade Expression

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ArcGIS Arcade

ArcGIS Arcade, a basic scripting language from Esri, helps you map the values you need or create completely new data values in minutes.

• Arcade is a portable, lightweight, and secure expression language used to create custom content in ArcGIS applications. Like other expression languages, it can perform mathematical calculations, format text, and evaluate logical statements. It also supports multi-statement expressions, variables, and flow control statements.
• Arcade’s power lies in its portability across different ArcGIS applications. It provides a consistent syntax that can run on desktop, web, and mobile devices.

Example: Constructing an ArcGIS Earth App Link from a Feature Popup:

var geom = Geometry($feature);
var x = geom.x;
var y = geom.y;

// Handle the Z-coordinate, defaulting to 500 if null or empty
var z = DefaultValue(geom.z, 500);

// Function to convert Web Mercator to WGS84
function WebMercatorToWGS84(pt) {
    var x = pt.x / 20037508.34 * 180;
    var y = pt.y / 20037508.34 * 180;
    y = 180 / PI * (2 * Atan(Exp(y*PI / 180)) - PI / 2);
    return { 'x': x, 'y': y };
}

if (geom.spatialReference.wkid == 102100) {
    var coords = WebMercatorToWGS84(geom);
    x = coords.x;
    y = coords.y;
}

url = "[www.arcgis.com/home/item...](https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=7de2582460bb47e284b2adc5e6a6753b)";

url = UrlEncode(url)

var earthLink = "[earth.arcgis.app](https://earth.arcgis.app/?viewpoint=cam:)" + x + "," + y + "," + z + ";" + "" + "," + "" + ";&url=" + url;

return earthLink;

This evening, Hamer was unusually energetic, laughing as her grandma helped her with a bath. She had eagerly insisted on her grandma’s help after finishing her homework.

My day was mostly spent refining and recording the demo. I organized data in the morning, then customized popups with Arcade expressions in the afternoon, allowing elements to auto-generate ArcGIS Earth App Links. Later, I finalized the recording.

Xiaoyan suggested a spontaneous trip to Thailand after her business trip, but I hesitated—I prefer well-planned travel over last-minute getaways.

Did you know?

Exploring spatial data has never been easier! With ArcGIS Earth Mobile, you can seamlessly browse 2D and 3D content, whether you’re online or working offline.

🛠️ How to Add Data in ArcGIS Earth Mobile:

1️⃣ There are four easy ways to add data in ArcGIS Earth Mobile:

• Enter a URL – Add services like KML, Map, Image, Feature, or Scene Services by entering a web link.
• Access ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise – Browse and add organization-wide content.
• Load Local Files – Import KML, GeoPackage, Mobile Scene Packages, Raster, and 3D models directly from your device.
• Scan a QR Code – Quickly add data by scanning a QR code—no typing required!

2️⃣ Enhanced Viewing & Interaction:

• Toggle visibility – Tap the View button to show or hide layers.
• Quick Actions – Long-press a layer to Share or Delete.
• Identify Features – Tap a feature to view its attributes in a pop-up.

🚀 Pro Tips

1️⃣ Use touch gestures to zoom, pan, tilt, and rotate your 3D content for a fully immersive experience. ✨ 2️⃣ Try AR Mode – Long-press a layer to visualize data in Augmented Reality mode. 📡

Today was physically exhausting, and without a nap, I’m completely drained.

We all slept in until 9 AM, then Hamer and I met her classmatte for basketball. She was shy at first but gradually warmed up, running with the ball and having fun.

In the afternoon, we joined Xiaoyan at Urban Green café, where she wrote, Hamer drew, and I read—quiet but enjoyable. Later, I taught Hamer some badminton techniques before we all went out for luosifen.

In the evening, Hamer eagerly helped fix a door handle, showing a growing interest in DIY projects.

I started the day early with lingering thoughts about yesterday’s demo but quickly shifted focus to home tasks. Noticing a broken light, Hamer and I went out to buy bulbs.

We attended Into Ballet at Tianqiao Theater, where she was surprised to recognize moves she had practiced. The Butterfly Lovers rehearsal was mesmerizing, so I got tickets for the full performance in April.

After a delicious Hunan meal, I relaxed at home while Xiaoyan and Hamer went dancing and shopping. A long nap didn’t shake my fatigue—I’ll need an early night.

I started the day early, boiling eggs and sweet potatoes while structuring a solid plan for App Links with help from ChatGPT.

My main focus at work was bug fixing, both for the current version and the demo. I spent much of the afternoon on data processing, uncertain if everything would run smoothly.

Despite the workload, I made time for the gym at noon and followed Xiaoyan’s advice to eat dinner on time. Working late left my eyes strained, prompting Xiaoyan to joke that I should just marry my computer.

Recently, I also discovered two fascinating performers—magician Kyle Eschen and comedian Matt Rife—both of whom left a strong impression.

Did you know?

ArcGIS Earth’s Quick Dock feature lets you personalize your workspace by adding, reordering, and managing frequently used tools—streamlining your workflow for faster access to key functionalities. Whether you’re navigating, analyzing, or editing, customizing the Quick Dock ensures your most-used tools are always at your fingertips.

🛠️ How to Use Quick Dock in ArcGIS Earth:

1️⃣ Open Quick Dock Customization 🎛️ Go to Settings > Customization to access the Quick Dock panel.

2️⃣ Add & Arrange Tools 📌 Click a tool to add it to the Quick Dock. Drag and drop to reorder tools based on your workflow.

3️⃣ Optimize for Efficiency ⚡ Remove unneeded tools or reset the Quick Dock to its default state.

🚀 Pro Tips:

1️⃣ Speed Up Your Workflow – Keep essential tools like Measure, Bookmarks, or Spatial Filters just one click away. 🚀

I started the day early, remembering that I had unused museum tickets from before the New Year and deciding to visit this Sunday.

Hamer and I made a fruit-based breakfast together before I dropped her off and headed to the office. My plan to finish the app link demo was delayed by a bug that took over an hour to fix. After discussions and focused effort, I finally wrapped it up by 4 PM. By 8:30 PM, I was mentally drained.

A midday table tennis match with colleagues, filled with laughter and a playful poem, was a bright spot in the day.

Did you know?

ArcGIS Earth’s Spatial Filter allows you to include or exclude specific buildings, trees, 3D objects, and points within a designated area. Whether you’re analyzing urban infrastructure, vegetation impact, or site planning, this tool helps you focus on the most relevant features while eliminating visual clutter.

🛠️ How to Use Spatial Filters in ArcGIS Earth:

1️⃣ Activate the Spatial Filter 🎛️ Right-click a 3D object or point scene layer in the Table of Contents and select “Spatial Filter”.

2️⃣ Define Your Area of Interest 📌 Draw one or more polygons to include or exclude features, or manually select individual features to isolate or remove them from the view.

3️⃣ Apply and Refine Your View 🔲 Choose Exclude to hide features inside the selection or Include to display only the selected features.

🚀 Pro Tips:

1️⃣ Improve Data Accuracy – Use spatial filters to hide outdated data and replace it with updated information. 📍 2️⃣ Apply multiple spatial filters for a focused, clear, and efficient analysis. 🔍

Today was fairly smooth, though I didn’t complete everything I had planned. I spent the afternoon refining the UI but got frustrated when things didn’t go as expected.

At noon, I played frisbee, enjoying the warm weather and noticing my throws improving.

In the evening, after shopping with Hamer and Xiaoyan, I planned to work at the office but forgot my access badge.

There was also a brief scare when my stepmother couldn’t find Hamer at the mall, but I reassured her, trusting that Hamer would find her soon.

Did you know?

ArcGIS Earth now supports 3DConnexion SpaceMouse, offering an intuitive, smooth, and immersive way to navigate 3D environments. With 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) control, you can effortlessly pan, tilt, zoom, rotate, and fly through your data—perfect for detailed terrain exploration, city modeling, and underground navigation.

🛠️ How to Use SpaceMouse in ArcGIS Earth:

1️⃣ Enable SpaceMouse Navigation 🛠️ Go to Settings > Navigation and toggle Enable Space Mouse to activate support.

2️⃣ Seamlessly Navigate in 3D 🌍 Experience real-time, fluid movement with precise control for exploring terrain, buildings, and subsurface data.

3️⃣ Customize Controls for Your Workflow ⚙️ Adjust navigation speed and sensitivity for high-precision mapping or smooth overviews.

🚀 Pro Tips:

1️⃣ Fly Through Your Data – Effortlessly glide through terrain, buildings, and 3D models for in-depth analysis. 🏙️

This morning, I was startled awake by Hamer’s alarm clock and was surprised to see that it was already 7 AM. Yet, I still felt drowsy. I hadn’t gone to bed particularly late last night, but for some reason, I was still exhausted.

I spent the entire morning in meetings, discussing features and the schedule for next week’s meetings, only to realize there were still many details that needed to be filled in. At noon, I had lunch with a colleague and also grabbed a cup of coffee from her. In the afternoon, I was busy revising the PR I submitted yesterday and finally managed to merge it into the main branch just before heading out for badminton.

In the evening, when I got home, Hamer wasn’t too keen on eating dinner—probably because there wasn’t anything she particularly liked. After dinner, we watched TV together. During the music segment of Zombie 2, she started singing along, which really surprised me—she sang so well!

Did you know?

With ArcGIS Earth’s “What’s Here” tool, you can instantly identify addresses, coordinates, and place names anywhere on the globe—just by right-clicking! Whether you’re planning routes, verifying locations, or working offline, this tool delivers real-time insights without needing external apps.

🛠️ How to Use “What’s Here” in ArcGIS Earth:

1️⃣ Find Any Location 📌 Right-click anywhere on the globe and select “What’s Here” from the menu.

2️⃣ Get Location Insights 🏠 Instantly retrieve addresses, coordinates, and place names for easy reference and analysis.

3️⃣ Work Offline with Locators 🌍 Use reverse geocoding even offline with your own locators included in mobile map and scene packages.

🚀 Pro Tips:

1️⃣ Copy & Share Location Data – Quickly copy coordinates and addresses for reports, routing, or collaboration. ✂️ 2️⃣ Save Key Locations – Right-click and save as a KML point for future reference or integration with other GIS tools. 📍

This morning started on a positive note after last night’s heavy conversation with Xiaoyan. I had expressed my feelings about her impatience, fearing it might create distance, but to my relief, she initiated a casual chat over breakfast.

At work, I finally submitted the first version of the Stream Service PR—over 5,000 lines of code, which should be split and will be a challenge to manage in the future.

At home, I had a discussion with Hamer about keeping our commitment to not eating out, leading to a tough but necessary decision. Later, she showed resilience in facing a setback while finishing her homework, proving that her adaptability is growing.

Did you know?

ArcGIS Earth now seamlessly integrates with Survey123, enabling you to collect, review, and analyze survey data within a 3D environment. Whether you’re a field worker gathering real-time data or a stakeholder conducting QA/QC, this integration enhances accuracy, efficiency, and spatial insights.

🛠️ How to Use Survey123 in ArcGIS Earth:

1️⃣ Add a Survey Form ➕ Browse surveys from your organization or ArcGIS Online, then search and add a Survey123 form to the globe.

2️⃣ Submit or Edit Records ✍️ Right-click a Survey123 form in the Table of Contents to submit a new record or update existing ones.

3️⃣ Streamline Data Entry 🔄 Auto-populate surveys by selecting a feature—ArcGIS Earth dynamically transfers both attributes and geometry into the form.

4️⃣ Enhance Decision-Making 🎯 Embed Surveys for QA/QC: Visualize, review, and update incoming records while analyzing data in 3D.

🚀 Pro Tips:

1️⃣ Customize Visualization – Adjust symbology and labels to highlight key insights. 🎨 2️⃣ Modify Geometry – Click Set Location in the survey window to update a record’s spatial position directly in ArcGIS Earth.

Our Sunday routine may now be set—badminton followed by luosifen!

The morning was slow, but I went to Xiaoguan Market to get fish before it relocates to “Seventh Market.” Lunch led to a small standoff between Xiaoyan and Hamer over brushing teeth, but they made up after badminton. While playing, I reminded Hamer to pick up shuttlecocks properly, and she eventually improved, which made me proud.

Dinner was fun, with the kids struggling through the spicy luosifen but finishing every bite. It was a simple but fulfilling day.

This morning, despite the gloomy weather, I went for a run with Hamer and later had breakfast at a bustling market. We met one of her classmates, who showed her around while I queued for pig’s head meat, a traditional dish for this lunar date.

In the afternoon, Hamer stuck to Xiaoyan, and I worked on Stream Service.

At night, we watched Nezha with Hamer’s uncle, enjoying the film and a refreshing walk home.

TGIF.

Today, I completed most of the UI and workflow setup for Stream Service. My leader has been asking for the last chance for me to attend the Dev Summit, though unsuccessfully.

In the morning, Xiaoyan’s response left me feeling a little down.