Code Runner vs Filesystem
A side-by-side look at the Code Runner and Filesystem MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Code Runner for code execution work as a local process; choose Filesystem for file systems as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Code Runner when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Code Execution domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
Choose Filesystem when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
path, head, tail.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Code Execution | File Systems |
| Quality signal | 43/100 · Fair | 85/100 · Excellent |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Verified |
| GitHub stars | 242 | 91,546 |
| Directory activity | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 11 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 17 |
| Full listing | View Code Runner | View Filesystem |
Tools & capabilities
Code Runner tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Filesystem tools 17
pathheadtailpathscontenteditsoldTextnewTextdryRunsortBysourcedestination- +5 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.
Code Runner
{
"mcpServers": {
"code-runner": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"issue"
]
}
}
}
Filesystem
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Code Runner is categorized under Code Execution and uses a local stdio subprocess. Filesystem belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Code Runner for code execution work and Filesystem for file systems.
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.
Code Runner has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Filesystem 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 code-runner and filesystem as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Code Runner has a quality signal of 43/100 (Fair) with 2 views, 0 installs and 242 GitHub stars. Filesystem has 85/100 (Excellent) with 11 views, 0 installs and 91,546 GitHub stars.