What is the key difference between HAL and GhidraMCP?

HAL belongs to the Security category with local stdio execution, while GhidraMCP belongs to the Security category with cloud HTTP/SSE execution.

How do I install HAL or GhidraMCP in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are HAL and GhidraMCP free or paid?

HAL operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). GhidraMCP operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

HAL lists 3 tools with 1 views and 38 GitHub stars. GhidraMCP lists 5 tools with 2 views and 9,757 GitHub stars.

Can I use both HAL and GhidraMCP together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

How do I install HAL or GhidraMCP in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are HAL and GhidraMCP free to use, or do they require API keys?

HAL is listed under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . GhidraMCP operates under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both HAL and GhidraMCP at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both hal and lauriewired-ghidramcp as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, HAL has a Quality Score of 49 /100 ( Fair ) with 1 views, 0 installs, and 38 GitHub stars. GhidraMCP holds a Quality Score of 56 /100 ( Good ) with 2 views, 0 installs, and 9,757 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

HAL vs GhidraMCP

In-depth architectural comparison of the HAL and GhidraMCP MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

HAL

Security · Local stdio

Quality: 49/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required

GhidraMCP

Security · Remote HTTP/SSE

Quality: 56/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose HAL if you need specialized Security tools running via a local process. Choose GhidraMCP if your workspace requires Security integration with remote web transport. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose HAL when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
Primary tools included: list-secrets, http-get, http-post.

Explore HAL Details

Choose GhidraMCP when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
You prefer remote streaming HTTP/SSE transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
Primary tools included: Decompile binaries using Ghidra, Rename methods and data automatically, List methods, classes, imports, exports.

Explore GhidraMCP Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	H HAL Security	GhidraMCP LaurieWired Security
Summary	HAL (HTTP API Layer) - An MCP server that provides HTTP API capabilities to Large Language Models	A Model Context Protocol server for Ghidra that enables LLMs to autonomously reverse engineer applications. Provides tools for decompiling binaries, renaming methods and data, and listing methods, classes, imports, and exports.
Category & Scope	Security	Security

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

HAL Tools (3)

list-secrets

Get a list of available secret keys that can be used with `{secrets.key}` syntax.

http-get

Make HTTP GET requests to any URL.

http-post

Make HTTP POST requests with optional body and headers.

GhidraMCP Tools (5)

Decompile binaries using Ghidra

Rename methods and data automatically

List methods, classes, imports, exports

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

HAL Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "will"
      ]
    }
  }
}

GhidraMCP Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lauriewired-ghidramcp": {
      "url": "https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Apache%202.0-blue.svg)](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0"
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

HAL is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, GhidraMCP belongs to Security using remote streaming HTTP/SSE transport. Select HAL when you need capabilities focused on security and GhidraMCP when you require tools for security.

More alternatives to HAL More alternatives to GhidraMCP Security category hub