What is the key difference between Hledit MCP and Smart Tree?

Hledit MCP belongs to the File Systems category with local stdio execution, while Smart Tree belongs to the File Systems category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Hledit MCP or Smart Tree in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Hledit MCP and Smart Tree free or paid?

Hledit MCP operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). Smart Tree operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Hledit MCP lists 1 tools with 2 views and 1 GitHub stars. Smart Tree lists 6 tools with 6 views and 268 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Hledit MCP and Smart Tree together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Hledit MCP vs Smart Tree

In-depth architectural comparison of the Hledit MCP and Smart Tree MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Hledit MCP

File Systems · Local stdio

Quality: 57/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required

Smart Tree

File Systems · Local stdio

Quality: 49/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Hledit MCP if you need specialized File Systems tools running via a local process. Choose Smart Tree if your workspace requires File Systems integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Hledit MCP when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
You have access to required keys: HLEDIT_BIN, HLEDIT_CWD, HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF, HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_MAX_LINES, HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_CONTEXT, HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_MAX_CELLS.
Primary tools included: hledit.

Explore Hledit MCP Details

Choose Smart Tree when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
Primary tools included: Local stdio MCP mode, AI-oriented directory visualization, Compressed and quantum output modes.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Hledit MCP dabito File Systems	Smart Tree 8b-is File Systems
Summary	Hash-anchored file edits for MCP clients. Reads files with line anchors, validates anchors against current content, and rejects stale writes before changing files.	AI-native directory visualization with semantic analysis, ultra-compressed formats for AI consumption, and 10x token reduction. Supports quantum-semantic mode with intelligent file categorization.
Category & Scope	File Systems

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Hledit MCP Tools (1)

hledit

Read, edit, or batch-edit files using hash-anchored line references (LN#HASH, currently LN#HHH). Use op:'read' to get anchors, op:'edit' for single changes, op:'batch' for multiple edits in one call. Anchors come from the most recent read and detect stale context before any write.

Smart Tree Tools (6)

Local stdio MCP mode

AI-oriented directory visualization

Compressed and quantum output modes

File content search

Collaborative memory tools

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

Hledit MCP Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dabito-hledit-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "hledit-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "HLEDIT_BIN": "YOUR_HLEDIT_BIN_HERE",
        "HLEDIT_CWD": "YOUR_HLEDIT_CWD_HERE",
        "HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF": "YOUR_HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_HERE",
        "HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_MAX_LINES": "YOUR_HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_MAX_LINES_HERE",
        "HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_CONTEXT": "YOUR_HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_CONTEXT_HERE",
        "HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_MAX_CELLS": "YOUR_HLEDIT_MCP_DIFF_MAX_CELLS_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Smart Tree Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "8b-is-smart-tree": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "8b-is-smart-tree"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Hledit MCP is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Smart Tree belongs to File Systems using local stdio subprocess. Select Hledit MCP when you need capabilities focused on file systems and Smart Tree when you require tools for file systems.

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