Audiobookshelf vs Chatpack MCP

A side-by-side look at the Audiobookshelf and Chatpack MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Audiobookshelf logoAudiobookshelfDeveloper ToolsBrowse libraries, search books, and control playback in your self-hosted Audiobookshelf instance.41FairAuth: not declaredChatpack MCP logoChatpack MCPDeveloper Tools · Local subprocess (stdio)Read-only MCP server for Chatpack documentation, framework setup guides, and React UI block source. Runs locally over stdio with npx -y @chatpack/mcp. Node.js 20 or later; MIT license; no account or API key required.87ExcellentAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose Audiobookshelf for developer tools work; choose Chatpack MCP 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?

Audiobookshelf logoChoose Audiobookshelf when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
  • You have the keys it needs: AUDIOBOOKSHELF_URL, AUDIOBOOKSHELF_TOKEN.
  • You want tools like list_libraries, search_library, list_library_items.
Explore Audiobookshelf

Chatpack MCP logoChoose Chatpack MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like search_docs, get_document, get_integration_guide.
Explore Chatpack MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecAudiobookshelf logoAudiobookshelfChatpack MCP logoChatpack MCP
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDeveloper Tools
Quality signal41/100 · Fair87/100 · Excellent
Install commandNot confirmed yetConfirmed
Transport—Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNot declaredNo auth required
PricingNot declaredFree
Required env varsAUDIOBOOKSHELF_URLAUDIOBOOKSHELF_TOKENNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listing Verified
GitHub stars1224
Directory activity 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools125

Tools & capabilities

Audiobookshelf tools 12

  • list_librariesList all libraries
  • search_librarySearch by title, author, or narrator
  • list_library_itemsList items with pagination
  • get_itemGet detailed info about an audiobook or podcast
  • get_items_in_progressGet currently listening items with progress
  • get_listening_statsTotal listening time and daily breakdown
  • get_listening_sessionsRecent listening sessions
  • get_media_progressProgress for a specific item
  • list_seriesList all series in a library
  • get_seriesGet series details with books
  • get_authorGet author details with books
  • list_collectionsList collections in a library

Chatpack MCP tools 5

  • search_docsSearch bundled Chatpack documentation and the authoritative llms reference. Returns document ids, links and matching excerpts with package versions.
  • get_documentRead a complete bundled Chatpack document by id. Use llms for the authoritative integration contract or concepts/errors for troubleshooting.
  • get_integration_guideRetrieve the repository's framework setup guide with authentication guidance and the authoritative llms reference. Examples match the bundled package versions.
  • list_ui_blocksList public runtime exports of @chatpack/ui, including components, providers and utilities. Returns names accepted by get_ui_block.
  • get_ui_blockRetrieve a public @chatpack/ui export's source module and usage guide. Optionally include supporting UI modules and stylesheet. Files are reference source, not a standalone copy-and-paste component.

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.

Audiobookshelf

No confirmed install command for Audiobookshelf yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.

Chatpack MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chatpack-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@chatpack/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Audiobookshelf is categorized under Developer Tools and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Chatpack MCP belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Audiobookshelf for developer tools work and Chatpack MCP 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. Audiobookshelf has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.

Audiobookshelf has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Chatpack MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. 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 audiobookshelf-2 and chatpack-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Audiobookshelf has a quality signal of 41/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars. Chatpack MCP has 87/100 (Excellent) with 4 views, 0 installs and 224 GitHub stars.