BriefGate vs Openclaw MCP
A side-by-side look at the BriefGate and Openclaw MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose BriefGate for coding agents work as a local process; choose Openclaw MCP for coding agents as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose BriefGate when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
define_intake, get_intake_status, get_intake_results.
Choose Openclaw MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
OPENCLAW_URL, OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN, OPENCLAW_AGENT_ID, OPENCLAW_MODEL, OPENCLAW_TIMEOUT_MS, AUTH_ENABLED, MCP_CLIENT_ID, MCP_CLIENT_SECRET. - You want tools like
openclaw_chat, openclaw_status, openclaw_chat_async.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Coding Agents | Coding Agents |
| Quality signal | 52/100 · Good | 68/100 · 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 | OPENCLAW_URLOPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKENOPENCLAW_AGENT_IDOPENCLAW_MODELOPENCLAW_TIMEOUT_MSAUTH_ENABLEDMCP_CLIENT_IDMCP_CLIENT_SECRET |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 188 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 8 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 15 | 7 |
| Full listing | View BriefGate | View Openclaw MCP |
Tools & capabilities
BriefGate tools 15
define_intakeCreate a new client intake — a branded portal where the client submits the assets you need. BriefGate sends the invite email and chases the client automatically until everything is collected.get_intake_statusCheck which items are submitted, pending, or need revision. Includes the history of automated chase emails and when the client last opened the portal.get_intake_resultsRetrieve typed submitted values. Files are signed URLs (valid 24 hours). **Secrets are one-time** — decrypted and returned on the first call only; store them before moving on.request_revisionAsk the client to resubmit an item with a note explaining what is wrong.send_chaseSend a manual reminder outside the automatic schedule. Use when a deadline is approaching or email attempts have failed.list_intakesList all intakes across projects, optionally filtered by status, client email, folder, or a text search.add_itemsAdd new items to an already-sent intake — for example a favicon you forgot, or additional credentials needed mid-project.update_itemChange an item's definition after the intake was sent — the type, label, help text or constraints. Use this when you asked for the wrong thing, e.g. you requested an image but the client has a PDF.update_intakeChange settings on an already-sent intake — project name, due date, reminder cadence, quiet hours, the client brief, or the client's name, phone, language, and timezone. Use this instead of deleting and recreating the intake, which would re-send the invite.manage_recipientsAdd, remove, or reinstate a person who receives an intake's invite and reminders, alongside or instead of the primary client.manage_webhookRegister, list or remove a webhook endpoint so events are pushed to your service instead of you polling.list_foldersList the folders in your account, used to group intakes by client or project. Takes no arguments.- +3 more on the listing page
Openclaw MCP tools 7
openclaw_chatSend a message to OpenClaw and get a responseopenclaw_statusGet OpenClaw gateway status and health informationopenclaw_chat_asyncSend a message to OpenClaw asynchronously. Returns a task_id immediately that can be polled for results. Use this for potentially long-running conversations.openclaw_task_statusCheck the status of an async task. Returns status, and result if completed.openclaw_task_listList all tasks. Optionally filter by status, session, or instance.openclaw_task_cancelCancel a pending task. Only works for tasks that haven't started yet.openclaw_instancesList all configured OpenClaw instances. Shows instance names, URLs, and which is the default. Use instance names in other tools to target a specific OpenClaw gateway.
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.
BriefGate
{
"mcpServers": {
"briefgate": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@briefgate/mcp"
]
}
}
}
Openclaw MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"freema-openclaw-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"openclaw-mcp"
],
"env": {
"OPENCLAW_URL": "YOUR_OPENCLAW_URL_HERE",
"OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN": "YOUR_OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN_HERE",
"OPENCLAW_AGENT_ID": "YOUR_OPENCLAW_AGENT_ID_HERE",
"OPENCLAW_MODEL": "YOUR_OPENCLAW_MODEL_HERE",
"OPENCLAW_TIMEOUT_MS": "YOUR_OPENCLAW_TIMEOUT_MS_HERE",
"AUTH_ENABLED": "YOUR_AUTH_ENABLED_HERE",
"MCP_CLIENT_ID": "YOUR_MCP_CLIENT_ID_HERE",
"MCP_CLIENT_SECRET": "YOUR_MCP_CLIENT_SECRET_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
BriefGate is categorized under Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Openclaw MCP belongs to Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick BriefGate for coding agents work and Openclaw MCP for coding agents.
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.
BriefGate has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Openclaw MCP 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 briefgate and freema-openclaw-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, BriefGate has a quality signal of 52/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Openclaw MCP has 68/100 (Great) with 8 views, 0 installs and 188 GitHub stars.