What is the App–LLM Context Protocol (ALCP)?

ALCP is an open-source standard for sharing structured app state with AI models.

Using ALCP, applications—like nutrition trackers, budget managers, or workout logs—can export their current context in a standardized format. This enables AI models (like Claude or ChatGPT) to understand the data instantly without relying on OCR, screenshots, or manual copy-pasting.

Think of ALCP like Markdown for App State. Just as Markdown provides a standardized way to format text that any editor can read, ALCP provides a standardized way to format application data that any LLM can understand.

alcp_payload.json

{
  "protocol": "ALCP",
  "app": { "name": "FitnessPro" },
  "intent": { "goal": "analyze_progress" },
  "payload": {
    "type": "workout_log",
    "data": { "squat_max": 140, "trend": "up" }
  }
}

App State → ALCP Envelope → LLM Context

What can ALCP enable?

Instant Context: A nutrition app can share a complex food log with one click, allowing an AI to suggest immediate dietary adjustments.
Error-Free Data: Finance apps can export transaction histories directly, eliminating "hallucinations" caused by messy copy-pasting.
Cross-App Workflows: Copy context from a calendar app and paste it into a travel agent AI to plan an itinerary that fits your schedule.
Standardized Interactions: Developers only need to build one "Share to AI" feature to support every LLM on the market.

Why does ALCP matter?

Depending on your role, ALCP simplifies the connection between software and intelligence.

For Developers

Reduces the complexity of building AI integrations. Expose your app's data once via ALCP, and it works with any model.

For AI Agents

Provides clean, typed, and structured data, drastically improving reasoning capabilities and reliability.

For End-Users

Enables a seamless experience. No more screenshots or explaining data—just click share and get answers.