Argus vs Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence
A side-by-side look at the Argus and Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Argus for developer tools work as a local process; choose Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence for developer tools as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Argus when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
argus_audit, argus_audit_full, argus_compare.
Choose Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
GRASP_HTTP_MCP. - You want tools like
grasp_analyze, grasp_sessions, grasp_diff.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 57/100 · Good | 57/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | GRASP_HTTP_MCP |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 5 | 30 |
| Directory activity | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 9 | 80 |
| Full listing | View Argus | View Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence |
Tools & capabilities
Argus tools 9
argus_auditFast pass — JS, network, accessibility, SEO, security, CSS, contentargus_audit_fullDeep pass — adds Lighthouse, responsive checks, memory leak detection, hover-state bugsargus_compareDiff dev vs staging — screenshots, findings delta, environment regressionsargus_get_contextCapture everything broken on the open tab — with `resolved / new / persisting` diff vs the last snapshot (the fix loop)argus_watch_snapshotSnapshot the open tab without navigating (preserves auth/form state)argus_last_reportReturn last JSON report without re-runningargus_design_auditFigma URL → 13 design-token finding types (color, spacing, typography, shadows, etc.)argus_visual_diffScreenshot baseline comparison. Pass `updateBaseline: true` to reset.argus_pr_validateFetch GitHub PR diff → map changed files to affected routes → targeted audit → baseline-aware block decision (blocks on findings the PR *introduces*) + idempotent PR comment + Check Run → `{ blocked, findings, baseline, reporting }
Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence tools 80
grasp_analyzeFull analysis of any repo or local path — returns `session_id` for follow-up queriesgrasp_sessionsList active sessions (persist 7 days, survive restarts)grasp_diffCompare two snapshots — what changed between analyses?grasp_watchRe-analyse a directory and diff against a prior rungrasp_rules_checkRun `grasp.yml` architecture rules and report violationsgrasp_config_checkValidate a session against architecture rules — returns violationsgrasp_file_depsWhat does this file depend on?grasp_dependentsWhat breaks if I change this file?grasp_cyclesAre there circular dependencies?grasp_architectureWhat layers does this codebase have?grasp_hotspotsWhich files are riskiest to touch?grasp_metricsLines, complexity, fan-in/fan-out per file- +68 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.
Argus
{
"mcpServers": {
"argus-2": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}
Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence
{
"mcpServers": {
"grasp-codebase-analysis-architecture-intelligence": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"grasp-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"GRASP_HTTP_MCP": "YOUR_GRASP_HTTP_MCP_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Argus is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Argus for developer tools work and Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence for developer tools.
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.
Argus has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence 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 argus-2 and grasp-codebase-analysis-architecture-intelligence as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Argus has a quality signal of 57/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 5 GitHub stars. Grasp — Codebase Analysis & Architecture Intelligence has 57/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 30 GitHub stars.