Grok MCP vs Counsel MCP
A side-by-side look at the Grok MCP and Counsel MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Grok MCP for conversational ai work as a local process; choose Counsel MCP for conversational ai as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Grok MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Conversational AI domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
XAI_API_KEY, GROK_MCP_TIMEOUT, GROK_MCP_PATH_SECRET. - You want tools like
grok_chat, grok_review, grok_consult.
Choose Counsel MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Conversational AI domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
COUNSEL_API_KEY. - You want tools like
start_consultation, get_consultation_status, get_consultation_report.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Conversational AI | Conversational AI |
| Quality signal | 55/100 · Good | 53/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | XAI_API_KEYGROK_MCP_TIMEOUTGROK_MCP_PATH_SECRET | COUNSEL_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 11 | 6 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 4 | 6 |
| Full listing | View Grok MCP | View Counsel MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Grok MCP tools 4
grok_chat```jsongrok_review```jsongrok_consult```jsongrok_challenge```json
Counsel MCP tools 6
start_consultationStart a new strategic consultation (debate) to analyze a complex question with multiple perspectives.get_consultation_statusCheck the status of an ongoing consultation.get_consultation_reportRetrieve the final synthesis report from a completed consultation.list_consultationsList your past consultations.sharpen_questionRefine and improve a strategic question before starting a consultation.consult_advisorStart an interactive advisor session for brainstorming or scoping problems.
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.
Grok MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"grok-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"grok-cli-mcp"
],
"env": {
"XAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_XAI_API_KEY_HERE",
"GROK_MCP_TIMEOUT": "YOUR_GROK_MCP_TIMEOUT_HERE",
"GROK_MCP_PATH_SECRET": "YOUR_GROK_MCP_PATH_SECRET_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Counsel MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"mercurialsolo-counsel-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"counsel-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"COUNSEL_API_KEY": "YOUR_COUNSEL_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Grok MCP is categorized under Conversational AI and uses a local stdio subprocess. Counsel MCP belongs to Conversational AI and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Grok MCP for conversational ai work and Counsel MCP for conversational ai.
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.
Grok MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Counsel MCP 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 grok-mcp and mercurialsolo-counsel-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Grok MCP has a quality signal of 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 11 GitHub stars. Counsel MCP has 53/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars.
