Cursor MCP vs Codex MCP Tool
A side-by-side look at the Cursor MCP and Codex MCP Tool MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
C
Cursor MCPCoding Agents · Local subprocess (stdio)Cursor's agent (cursor-agent CLI) through MCP: any model your plan offers, resumable sessions.52GoodAuth: not declaredVerdict: choose Cursor MCP for coding agents work as a local process; choose Codex MCP Tool 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?
CChoose Cursor MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
CURSOR_MAX_CONCURRENCY, CURSOR_ALLOW_YOLO, CURSOR_SANDBOX, CURSOR_KILL_GRACE_MS. - You want tools like
cursor_agent, cursor_reply, cursor_models.
Choose Codex MCP Tool when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You have the keys it needs:
CODEX_CLI_PATH, CODEX_SESSION_TTL_MS, CODEX_MAX_SESSIONS. - You want tools like
ask-codex, batch-codex, review-changes.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | C Cursor MCP | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | other |
| Pricing | Not declared | BYOK (pay the provider) |
| Required env vars | CURSOR_MAX_CONCURRENCYCURSOR_ALLOW_YOLOCURSOR_SANDBOX |
Tools & capabilities
Cursor MCP tools 5
cursor_agentExecute a prompt using Cursor's AI agentcursor_replyContinue an existing agent sessioncursor_modelsList the model ids the installed CLI offerscursor_sessionsList agent sessions (this server instance)cursor_healthCheck installation, auth, and config
Codex MCP Tool tools 13
ask-codexExecute Codex CLI with file analysis (@syntax), skills ($syntax), model selection, and safety controls. Supports changeMode.batch-codexDelegate multiple atomic tasks to Codex for batch processing. Ideal for repetitive operations, mass refactoring, and automated code transformationsreview-changesRun a code review against the current repository using Codex CLI native review subcommandpingEchohelpreceive help informationversionDisplay version and system informationbrainstormGenerate creative ideas using structured frameworks with domain context and feasibility analysis.fetch-chunkRetrieves cached chunks from a changeMode response. Use this to get subsequent chunks after receiving a partial changeMode response.timeout-testTest timeout prevention by running for a specified durationlist-sessionsList all active conversation sessions with metadata, or manage sessions
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.
Cursor MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"cursor-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@qmediat.io/cursor-mcp"
],
"env": {
"CURSOR_MAX_CONCURRENCY": "YOUR_CURSOR_MAX_CONCURRENCY_HERE",
"CURSOR_ALLOW_YOLO": "YOUR_CURSOR_ALLOW_YOLO_HERE",
"CURSOR_SANDBOX": "YOUR_CURSOR_SANDBOX_HERE",
"CURSOR_KILL_GRACE_MS": "YOUR_CURSOR_KILL_GRACE_MS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Codex MCP Tool
{
"mcpServers": {
"x51xxx-codex-mcp-tool": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@trishchuk/codex-mcp-tool"
],
"env": {
"CODEX_CLI_PATH": "YOUR_CODEX_CLI_PATH_HERE",
"CODEX_SESSION_TTL_MS": "YOUR_CODEX_SESSION_TTL_MS_HERE",
"CODEX_MAX_SESSIONS": "YOUR_CODEX_MAX_SESSIONS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Cursor MCP is categorized under Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Codex MCP Tool belongs to Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Cursor MCP for coding agents work and Codex MCP Tool 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.
Cursor MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Codex MCP Tool is bring-your-own-key: usage is billed by the API provider you supply a key for. Auth: other. 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 cursor-mcp and x51xxx-codex-mcp-tool as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Cursor MCP has a quality signal of 52/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars. Codex MCP Tool has 68/100 (Great) with 4 views, 0 installs and 24 GitHub stars.