Basecoat UI MCP vs Shadcn Ui MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Basecoat UI MCP and Shadcn Ui MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Basecoat UI MCP for developer tools work as a local process; choose Shadcn Ui MCP Server 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 Basecoat UI MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
search_components, get_component_details, get_component_html.
Choose Shadcn Ui MCP Server 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:
MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE, MCP_PORT, MCP_HOST, MCP_CORS_ORIGINS, GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN, UI_LIBRARY. - You want tools like
get_component, get_component_demo, list_components.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 65/100 · Great | 72/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | MCP_TRANSPORT_MODEMCP_PORTMCP_HOSTMCP_CORS_ORIGINSGITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKENUI_LIBRARY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 38 | 3,069 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 33 | 10 |
| Full listing | View Basecoat UI MCP | View Shadcn Ui MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
Basecoat UI MCP tools 33
search_componentsFind up to 8 compact component summaries by intent and/or query (either field may be omitted). Valid component IDs include: button, card, dialog, dropdown-menu, table, tabs, badge, avatar, input, select, etc. Next step: Call get_component_details or basecoat_component_syntax with the selected component id.get_component_detailsGet one minimal component template, dependencies, and composition tips for Astro or HTML. Valid IDs: any of the 57 Basecoat components (button, card, dialog, dropdown-menu, table, tabs, badge, etc.). When called with {}, returns the top-level component catalog index. Next step: Call validate_composition or basecoat_quality_inspector after integrating markup.get_component_htmlFetch HTML markup template and dependencies for a Basecoat component. Valid IDs: any of 57 Basecoat components. When called with {}, returns the top-level component catalog index. Next step: Call validate_composition or basecoat_quality_inspector to audit.validate_composition[STAGE 4: QUALITY AUDIT] Statically check HTML/Astro source for Basecoat migration errors, semantic rhythm, FSM bindings, missing scripts, nested cards, spacing and hierarchy issues. Pass code or alias html and optionally a semanticProfile and densityProfile. Does not render or evaluate dynamic code. Next step: Fix any errors/warnings reported in the diagnostic output.validate_markup[STAGE 4: QUALITY AUDIT] Alias of validate_composition. Statically check HTML/Astro source for Basecoat migration errors, semantic rhythm, FSM bindings, missing scripts, nested cards, spacing and hierarchy issues. Next step: Fix any errors/warnings reported in the diagnostic output.search_macro_blocksSearch approved macro layout blocks by query, role, family, or tag. Optional design/page/slot context filters to slot-compatible roles. Returns summaries and immutable refs only; use cursors for more.get_macro_blockRetrieve one section of a compiled macro block blueprint (manifest, structure, slots, ports, rules, dependencies, provenance). Follow next cursors until complete. Optional designId pins aliases to that session registry.begin_designCreate a persistent design session under the host project root. Pass designId, profile (alias or ref), operationId, and optional decisions. Pins and hash-verifies the packaged macro registry. Idempotent for the same operationId. Oversized optional receipt fields may be omitted with truncated:true after commit.get_design_contextRead a focused design view: sessions (no designId), overview, decisions, graph, rules, focus, or next. Pin revision on first read; continuations must match. Does not create sessions.apply_design_patchApply one atomic list of design graph operations with expectedRevision and operationId. Replay with the same operationId returns the original receipt. A committed mutation always acknowledges success; oversized optional fields may be omitted with truncated:true. Does not write application source files.validate_designValidate a design session (or one page) in draft or complete mode. Returns totals plus paginated diagnostics. A plan-ready graph is not proof of rendered correctness.get_rhythm_rulesRead the effective semantic rhythm profile by family, including project-local overrides under a contained .basecoat/rhythm.json. Semantic IDs and approved implementation utilities are returned separately. Results are content-addressed and cursor-paginated; changed effective revisions invalidate prior cursors.- +21 more on the listing page
Shadcn Ui MCP Server tools 10
get_componentGet the source code for a specific shadcn/ui v4 componentget_component_demoGet demo code illustrating how a shadcn/ui v4 component should be usedlist_componentsGet all available shadcn/ui v4 componentsget_component_metadataGet metadata for a specific shadcn/ui v4 componentget_directory_structureGet the directory structure of the shadcn-ui v4 repositoryget_blockGet source code for a specific shadcn/ui v4 block (e.g., calendar-01, dashboard-01)list_blocksGet all available shadcn/ui v4 blocks with categorizationapply_themeApply a TweakCN theme preset to the projectlist_themesList available tweakcn themesget_themeGet details of a specific tweakcn theme
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.
Basecoat UI MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"basecoat-ui-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@intellmedia/basecoat-ui-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Shadcn Ui MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"jpisnice-shadcn-ui-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE": "YOUR_MCP_TRANSPORT_MODE_HERE",
"MCP_PORT": "YOUR_MCP_PORT_HERE",
"MCP_HOST": "YOUR_MCP_HOST_HERE",
"MCP_CORS_ORIGINS": "YOUR_MCP_CORS_ORIGINS_HERE",
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "YOUR_GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE",
"UI_LIBRARY": "YOUR_UI_LIBRARY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Basecoat UI MCP is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Shadcn Ui MCP Server belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Basecoat UI MCP for developer tools work and Shadcn Ui MCP Server 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.
Basecoat UI MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Shadcn Ui MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: api key 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 basecoat-ui-mcp and jpisnice-shadcn-ui-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Basecoat UI MCP has a quality signal of 65/100 (Great) with 0 views, 0 installs and 38 GitHub stars. Shadcn Ui MCP Server has 72/100 (Great) with 3 views, 0 installs and 3,069 GitHub stars.