Magic MCP vs SandBase CLI
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and SandBase CLI 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 developer tools work as a local process; choose SandBase CLI for aggregators over a hosted endpoint. 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 Developer Tools 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 SandBase CLI when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Aggregators domain.
- You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You want tools like
sandbase_discover, sandbase_inspect, sandbase_run.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Aggregators |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Remote HTTP/SSE |
| Auth | API key required | other |
| Pricing | Paid service | Free |
| Required env vars | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEYAPI_KEY_21ST | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 5,997 | 186 |
| Directory activity | 16 views 1 installs 0 upvotes | 11 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 7 |
| Full listing | View Magic MCP | View SandBase CLI |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
SandBase CLI tools 7
sandbase_discoverSearch all 2,000+ available AI models and APIs — freesandbase_inspectGet input schema, current price, and a ready-to-run template — freesandbase_runExecute a model or API endpoint — free for data APIs, paid for modelssandbase_run_getPoll status/result of an async run (video gen, etc.) — freesandbase_runsList your recent runs with their cost — freesandbase_accountCheck account balance — freesandbase_run_cancelCancel an Agent Service run — free
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"
}
}
}
}
SandBase CLI
{
"mcpServers": {
"sandbase-cli": {
"url": "https://tensorblock.co/mcp/servers/github-sandbaseai-cli-c4e113db"
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. SandBase CLI belongs to Aggregators and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Pick Magic MCP for developer tools work and SandBase CLI for aggregators.
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. SandBase CLI is listed as free. Auth: other. 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 sandbase-cli 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 5,997 GitHub stars. SandBase CLI has 61/100 (Good) with 11 views, 0 installs and 186 GitHub stars.