HAL vs Scrivener MCP
A side-by-side look at the HAL and Scrivener MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose HAL for developer tools work as a local process; choose Scrivener MCP for knowledge & memory as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose HAL when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You have the keys it needs:
HAL_SWAGGER_FILE, HAL_API_BASE_URL, HAL_SECRET_API_KEY, HAL_WHITELIST_URLS, HAL_BLACKLIST_URLS, HAL_ALLOW_MICROSOFT. - You want tools like
http-get, http-post, http-put.
Choose Scrivener MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory 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 | Developer Tools | Knowledge & Memory |
| Quality signal | 61/100 · Good | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | HAL_SWAGGER_FILEHAL_API_BASE_URLHAL_SECRET_API_KEYHAL_WHITELIST_URLS |
Tools & capabilities
HAL tools 8
http-getMake an HTTP GET request to a specified URL. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.http-postMake an HTTP POST request to a specified URL with optional body and headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL, headers, and body where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.http-putMake an HTTP PUT request to a specified URL with optional body and headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL, headers, and body where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.http-patchMake an HTTP PATCH request to a specified URL with optional body and headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL, headers, and body where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.http-deleteMake an HTTP DELETE request to a specified URL with optional headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.http-headMake an HTTP HEAD request to a specified URL with optional headers (returns only headers, no body). Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.http-optionsMake an HTTP OPTIONS request to a specified URL to check available methods and headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.list-secretsGet a list of available secret keys that can be used with {secrets.key} syntax. Only shows the key names, never the actual secret values.
Scrivener MCP 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.
HAL
{
"mcpServers": {
"hal": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"hal-mcp"
],
"env": {
"HAL_SWAGGER_FILE": "YOUR_HAL_SWAGGER_FILE_HERE",
"HAL_API_BASE_URL": "YOUR_HAL_API_BASE_URL_HERE",
"HAL_SECRET_API_KEY": "YOUR_HAL_SECRET_API_KEY_HERE",
"HAL_WHITELIST_URLS": "YOUR_HAL_WHITELIST_URLS_HERE",
"HAL_BLACKLIST_URLS": "YOUR_HAL_BLACKLIST_URLS_HERE",
"HAL_ALLOW_MICROSOFT": "YOUR_HAL_ALLOW_MICROSOFT_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Scrivener MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"writerslogic-scrivener-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"scrivener-setup"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
HAL is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Scrivener MCP belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick HAL for developer tools work and Scrivener MCP for knowledge & memory.
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.
HAL is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Scrivener MCP 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 hal and writerslogic-scrivener-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, HAL has a quality signal of 61/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 38 GitHub stars. Scrivener MCP has 61/100 (Good) with 18 views, 12 installs and 67 GitHub stars.
