Context Mode vs Stepgate
A side-by-side look at the Context Mode and Stepgate MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Context Mode for coding agents work as a local process; choose Stepgate 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 Context Mode when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
ctx_batch_execute, ctx_execute, ctx_execute_file.
Choose Stepgate when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
TAVILY_API_KEY. - You want tools like
stepgate_call, stepgate_submit, stepgate_guide.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Coding Agents | Coding Agents |
| Quality signal | 64/100 · Good | 63/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | TAVILY_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 31,671 | 13 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 10 | 8 |
| Full listing | View Context Mode | View Stepgate |
Tools & capabilities
Context Mode tools 10
ctx_batch_executeRun multiple commands + search multiple queries in ONE call. Opt-in `concurrency: 1-8` for I/O-bound batches.ctx_executeRun code in 12 languages. Only stdout enters context.ctx_execute_fileProcess files in sandbox. Raw content never leaves.ctx_indexChunk markdown into FTS5 with BM25 ranking.ctx_searchQuery indexed content with multiple queries in one call.ctx_fetch_and_indexFetch URL, chunk and index. Cache reuses content within TTL (default 24h, override per-call with `ttl: <ms>`). `ttl: 0` or `force: true` to bypass. Pass `requests: [{url, source}, ...]` + `concurrency: 1-8` for parallel multi-URL.ctx_statsShow context savings, call counts, and session statistics.ctx_doctorDiagnose installation: runtimes, hooks, FTS5, versions.ctx_upgradeUpgrade to latest version from GitHub, rebuild, reconfigure hooks.ctx_purgePermanently deletes all indexed content from the knowledge base.
Stepgate tools 8
stepgate_callCalls one of the current step's operations for a Stepgate run and returns its result. Stepgate makes the request and adds any credentials.stepgate_submitSubmits the current step's output for a Stepgate run. Returns the next step, the gate failures to fix, or the finished run's outputs.stepgate_guideReturns how to write a stepfile: the authoring workflow, the full format reference and the JSON Schema. Call it before writing or editing a stepfile.stepgate_examplesLists the catalog's stepfiles, or with a name returns that stepfile's YAML and README, to copy a working pattern from.stepgate_validateChecks a draft stepfile against the schema and every load-time rule. Returns each issue with its path, or the stepfile's identity and whether stepgate_try accepts it.stepgate_inspect_apiFetches a public OpenAPI document or MCP server without credentials and reports what a stepfile needs: the document's sha256, servers, security schemes and operationIds, or an MCP server's tools and their schema_sha256.stepgate_outlineTurns a SKILL.md or markdown SOP into a skeleton stepfile: one step per numbered item or second-level heading, each rule it states marked as a gate to write, and TODO markers where only an author can decide. stepgate_validate lists the markers left.stepgate_tryStarts a run of a draft stepfile from its text, without adding it to the server. Drive it with stepgate_call and stepgate_submit. Drafts may call only public https URLs, and use only the credentials and settings the operator granted to drafts.
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.
Context Mode
{
"mcpServers": {
"context-mode": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"context-mode"
]
}
}
}
Stepgate
{
"mcpServers": {
"stepgate": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"stepgate"
],
"env": {
"TAVILY_API_KEY": "YOUR_TAVILY_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Context Mode is categorized under Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Stepgate belongs to Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Context Mode for coding agents work and Stepgate 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.
Context Mode is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Stepgate 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 context-mode and stepgate as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Context Mode has a quality signal of 64/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 31,671 GitHub stars. Stepgate has 63/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 13 GitHub stars.