Magic MCP vs Designer Skill MCP
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and Designer Skill MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Magic MCP for architecture & design work as a local process; choose Designer Skill MCP for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Magic MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY, API_KEY_21ST.
Choose Designer Skill MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_preflight_brief, load_project_context, get_design_system.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 60/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Paid service | Not declared |
| Required env vars | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEYAPI_KEY_21ST | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 6,138 | 47 |
| Directory activity | 16 views 1 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 15 |
| Full listing | View Magic MCP | View Designer Skill MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Designer Skill MCP tools 15
get_preflight_briefScope and verification contract (call first)load_project_contextRead PRODUCT.md / DESIGN.md from the project (absolute `cwd`)get_design_systemSKILL.md router and reference mapget_referenceLoad one reference by name (designer or `ux/*`)anti_slop_checklistAdvisory style and truthful-content review guidancelist_commandsAll design verbs with descriptionsget_commandHelp and reference names for one verbdispatch_intentMap a request → verb(s) + at most four references to readcommit_design_directionValidate a context-grounded direction recordget_palette_seedOKLCH brand seed for authorized new palette workdetect_antipatternsDeterministic static scan (44 rules): coverage, file hashes, gapsreview_and_gateStatic gate per required rule; never claims rendered readiness- +3 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Magic MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"21st-dev-magic-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@21st-dev/cli@latest"
],
"env": {
"TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY": "YOUR_TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY_HERE",
"API_KEY_21ST": "YOUR_API_KEY_21ST_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Designer Skill MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"designer-skill-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pymodel/designer-skill-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Designer Skill MCP belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Magic MCP for architecture & design work and Designer Skill MCP for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Magic MCP is listed as a paid service. Auth: api key required. Designer Skill MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add 21st-dev-magic-mcp and designer-skill-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Magic MCP has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 16 views, 1 installs and 6,138 GitHub stars. Designer Skill MCP has 60/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 47 GitHub stars.