Binary Ninja MCP vs Shield Kya

A side-by-side look at the Binary Ninja MCP and Shield Kya MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Binary Ninja MCP logoBinary Ninja MCPSecurity · Local subprocess (stdio)A Binary Ninja plugin, MCP server, and bridge that seamlessly integrates Binary Ninja with your favorite MCP client. It enables you to automate the process of performing binary analysis and reverse engineering.71GreatAuth: no auth requiredShield Kya logoShield KyaSecurity · Local subprocess (stdio)KYA MCP gate: evaluate, ingest, request approval. Sole PEP is Shield.55GoodAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose Binary Ninja MCP for security work as a local process; choose Shield Kya for security as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Binary Ninja MCP logoChoose Binary Ninja MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like list_methods, get_entry_points, search_functions_by_name.
Explore Binary Ninja MCP

Shield Kya logoChoose Shield Kya when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You have the keys it needs: KYA_API_KEY, KYA_OFFLINE, KYA_DIFF_PREVIEW, KYA_GATE.
  • You want tools like kya.policy_evaluate, kya.session_ingest, kya.request_approval.
Explore Shield Kya

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecBinary Ninja MCP logoBinary Ninja MCPShield Kya logoShield Kya
CategorySecuritySecurity
Quality signal71/100 · Great55/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedKYA_API_KEYKYA_OFFLINEKYA_DIFF_PREVIEWKYA_GATE
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars4551
Directory activity 5 views 1 installs 0 upvotes 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools543

Tools & capabilities

Binary Ninja MCP tools 54

  • list_methodsList all function names in the program with pagination.
  • get_entry_pointsList entry point(s) of the loaded binary.
  • search_functions_by_nameSearch for functions whose name contains the given substring.
  • decompile_functionDecompile a specific function by name and return the decompiled C code.
  • get_ilGet IL for a function in the selected view (hlil, mlil, llil).
  • fetch_disassemblyRetrieve the disassembled code of a function as assembly mnemonic instructions.
  • rename_functionRename a function by its current name. The configured prefix will be automatically prepended if not present.
  • rename_single_variableRename a variable in a function.
  • rename_multi_variablesRename multiple local variables in one call.
  • rename_dataRename a data label at the specified address.
  • set_commentSet a comment at a specific address.
  • get_commentGet the comment at a specific address.
  • +42 more on the listing page

Shield Kya tools 3

  • kya.policy_evaluateALLOW` \
  • kya.session_ingestObserve / raise-only risk
  • kya.request_approvalOpen a human Hold. Does not execute the side effect

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.

Binary Ninja MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fosdickio-binary-ninja-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "binary-ninja-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Shield Kya

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shield-kya": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@shield-agent/kya@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "KYA_API_KEY": "YOUR_KYA_API_KEY_HERE",
        "KYA_OFFLINE": "YOUR_KYA_OFFLINE_HERE",
        "KYA_DIFF_PREVIEW": "YOUR_KYA_DIFF_PREVIEW_HERE",
        "KYA_GATE": "YOUR_KYA_GATE_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Binary Ninja MCP is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Shield Kya belongs to Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Binary Ninja MCP for security work and Shield Kya for security.

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.

Binary Ninja MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Shield Kya 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 fosdickio-binary-ninja-mcp and shield-kya as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Binary Ninja MCP has a quality signal of 71/100 (Great) with 5 views, 1 installs and 455 GitHub stars. Shield Kya has 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.