HackTricks MCP Server vs Semgrep
A side-by-side look at the HackTricks MCP Server and Semgrep MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose HackTricks MCP Server for security work as a local process; choose Semgrep for security as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose HackTricks MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
hacktricks_quick_lookup, search_hacktricks, get_hacktricks_outline.
Choose Semgrep when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Security | Security |
| Quality signal | 52/100 · Good | 48/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 10 | 17,199 |
| Directory activity | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 3 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View HackTricks MCP Server | View Semgrep |
Tools & capabilities
HackTricks MCP Server tools 3
hacktricks_quick_lookup⚡ **One-shot exploitation lookup**. Searches, finds best page, and returns exploitation sections + code blocks in one call.search_hacktricksSearch through HackTricks documentation. **Returns results GROUPED BY FILE** with match count, page title, and relevant section headers.get_hacktricks_outlineGet the **table of contents** of a page (all section headers). Use this BEFORE reading full pages to understand structure.
Semgrep tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from 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.
HackTricks MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"hacktricks-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"hacktricks-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Semgrep
{
"mcpServers": {
"semgrep-semgrep": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"semgrep"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
HackTricks MCP Server is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Semgrep belongs to Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick HackTricks MCP Server for security work and Semgrep 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.
HackTricks MCP Server has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Semgrep 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 hacktricks-mcp-server and semgrep-semgrep as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, HackTricks MCP Server has a quality signal of 52/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 10 GitHub stars. Semgrep has 48/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 17,199 GitHub stars.