Filesystem vs MCP Js
A side-by-side look at the Filesystem and MCP Js MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Filesystem for file systems work as a local process; choose MCP Js for code execution over a hosted endpoint. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
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.
Choose MCP Js when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Code Execution domain.
- You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You want tools like
run_js, get_execution, get_execution_output.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Systems | Code Execution |
| Quality signal | 85/100 · Excellent | 59/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Remote HTTP/SSE |
| Auth | No auth required | API key required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Verified | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 91,512 | 62 |
| Directory activity | 11 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 17 | 5 |
| Full listing | View Filesystem | View MCP Js |
Tools & capabilities
Filesystem tools 17
pathheadtailpathscontenteditsoldTextnewTextdryRunsortBysourcedestination- +5 more on the listing page
MCP Js tools 5
run_jsStateful: queue execution → `{execution_id}`. Stateless: run and return `{output, error?}`.get_executionPoll status/result of an execution.get_execution_outputRead paginated console output (line or byte).cancel_executionTerminate a running execution.list_executionsList executions and their status.
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.
Filesystem
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem"
]
}
}
}
MCP Js
{
"mcpServers": {
"r33drichards-mcp-js": {
"url": "http://localhost:8080/mcp"
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Filesystem is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. MCP Js belongs to Code Execution and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Pick Filesystem for file systems work and MCP Js for code execution.
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.
Filesystem is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. MCP Js is listed as free. Auth: api key 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 filesystem and r33drichards-mcp-js as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Filesystem has a quality signal of 85/100 (Excellent) with 11 views, 0 installs and 91,512 GitHub stars. MCP Js has 59/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 62 GitHub stars.