Magic MCP vs Schelling Protocol
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and Schelling Protocol 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 Schelling Protocol for agreements & coordination 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 Schelling Protocol when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Agreements & Coordination domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
SCHELLING_SERVER_URL.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Agreements & Coordination |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 37/100 · Fair |
| 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 | SCHELLING_SERVER_URL |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 6,193 | 5 |
| Directory activity | 16 views 1 installs 0 upvotes | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Magic MCP | View Schelling Protocol |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Schelling Protocol tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from 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"
}
}
}
}
Schelling Protocol
{
"mcpServers": {
"schelling-protocol": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"create-schelling-agent"
],
"env": {
"SCHELLING_SERVER_URL": "YOUR_SCHELLING_SERVER_URL_HERE"
}
}
}
}