Container Use vs Codebase Memory MCP

A side-by-side look at the Container Use and Codebase Memory MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Container Use logoContainer UseCode ExecutionContainerized environments for coding agents. Multiple agents can work independently, isolated in fresh containers and git branches. No conflicts, many experiments. Full execution history, terminal access to agent environments, git workflow. Any agent/model/infra stack.51GoodAuth: no auth requiredCodebase Memory MCP logoCodebase Memory MCPKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Code-intelligence engine that indexes a repo into a persistent knowledge graph — functions, classes, call chains, HTTP routes, cross-service links. 159 languages via tree-sitter + Hybrid LSP, sub-ms structural queries, 99% fewer tokens than grep. Single static binary, zero dependencies, 100% local. npx codebase-memory-mcp73GreatAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose Container Use for code execution work; choose Codebase Memory MCP for knowledge & memory as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Container Use logoChoose Container Use when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Code Execution domain.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Explore Container Use

Codebase Memory MCP logoChoose Codebase Memory MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like index_repository, search_graph, query_graph.
Explore Codebase Memory MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecContainer Use logoContainer UseCodebase Memory MCP logoCodebase Memory MCP
CategoryCode ExecutionKnowledge & Memory
Quality signal51/100 · Good73/100 · Great
Install commandNot confirmed yetConfirmed
Transport—Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNo auth required
PricingFreeFree
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars4,07847,236
Directory activity 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 8 views 1 installs 1 upvotes
ToolsNot listed17

Tools & capabilities

Container Use tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

Codebase Memory MCP tools 17

  • index_repositoryIndex a repository. full/moderate add semantics; fast omits them; cross-repo-intelligence links services. Reports coverage gaps.
  • search_graphFind symbols via BM25 query, regex name/qn filters, or semantic_query. Rows keep qn/file/lines and in/out over CALLS/USAGE/CALL_REFERENCE/INHERITS/IMPLEMENTS.
  • query_graphRead-only Cypher for multi-hop, aggregation, complexity, or cross-service analysis. Default: 200 visible rows with exact/lower-bound totals and truncation; continue safely with next_cursor. graph=missed is a file tree of flagged coverage gaps; absence is not proof of completeness. Use get_graph_schema(diagnostics=full) for properties.
  • trace_pathTrace callers/callees, data flow, or cross-service paths. Defaults exclude tests and resolver evidence. Rows keep qn/hop with explicit totals, relations, and continuations.
  • get_code_snippetRead a search_graph symbol. auto bounds source and outlines large containers; full restores up to 500 lines. Source/outline pages continue; coverage_note marks gaps.
  • get_file_outlineDeclaration outline of one exact repository-relative file: optional exact label filter, source order, exact total/offset/limit paging; file/folder/container nodes excluded.
  • get_graph_schemaGet node-label and edge-type counts. diagnostics=full also lists queryable properties.
  • compare_graphsCompare two indexed snapshots: deterministic target-only additions and base-only removals of stable node/edge identities; each set capped by limit and a 512 KiB budget with exact totals and truncation reasons.
  • get_architectureCompact counts, languages, packages, entry points. Request structure, dependencies, routes, hotspots, boundaries, layers, clusters, cycles, or file_tree; path scopes a directory.
  • search_codeGraph-ranked text search: compact symbols, full bounded source, or file paths.
  • list_projectsList projects with stable paging. Identity is lean; stats adds graph sizes.
  • delete_projectDelete a project from the index
  • +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.

Container Use

No confirmed install command for Container Use yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.

Codebase Memory MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "deusdata-codebase-memory-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "codebase-memory-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Container Use is categorized under Code Execution and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Codebase Memory MCP belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Container Use for code execution work and Codebase Memory MCP for knowledge & memory.

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. Container Use has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.

Container Use is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Codebase Memory MCP 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 dagger-container-use and deusdata-codebase-memory-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Container Use has a quality signal of 51/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 4,078 GitHub stars. Codebase Memory MCP has 73/100 (Great) with 8 views, 1 installs and 47,236 GitHub stars.