Homebutler vs Kakunin

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

Homebutler logoHomebutlerMonitoring · Local subprocess (stdio)All-in-one homelab management MCP server. Monitor system resources, manage Docker containers, Wake-on-LAN, scan networks, check open ports, and run alerts — across multiple servers via SSH. Single 10MB binary, zero dependencies.71GreatAuth: no auth requiredKakunin logoKakuninMonitoring · Local subprocess (stdio)X.509 identity, risk scoring, and audit logging for AI agents. MiCA + EU AI Act compliant.52GoodAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose Homebutler for monitoring work as a local process; choose Kakunin for monitoring as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Homebutler logoChoose Homebutler when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Monitoring domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like proxmox_status, proxmox_guests, proxmox_node.
Explore Homebutler

Kakunin logoChoose Kakunin when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Monitoring domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You have the keys it needs: KAKUNIN_API_KEY, KAKUNIN_AGENT_ID.
  • You want tools like verify_agent_scope, check_risk_score, audit_log_append.
Explore Kakunin

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecHomebutler logoHomebutlerKakunin logoKakunin
CategoryMonitoringMonitoring
Quality signal71/100 · Great52/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedKAKUNIN_API_KEYKAKUNIN_AGENT_ID
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars3051
Directory activity 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools403

Tools & capabilities

Homebutler tools 40

  • proxmox_statusGet Proxmox VE version, cluster status, and resources
  • proxmox_guestsList Proxmox QEMU and LXC guests, optionally filtered by node, status, or type
  • proxmox_nodeGet detailed Proxmox node status
  • proxmox_tasksGet the 50 most recent Proxmox tasks for a node
  • system_statusGet system status including CPU, memory, disk usage, and uptime
  • proxmox_guest_startStart one explicitly targeted Proxmox guest after confirmation and return the accepted task UPID
  • proxmox_guest_rebootReboot one explicitly targeted Proxmox guest after confirmation and return the accepted task UPID
  • proxmox_guest_shutdownGracefully shut down one explicitly targeted Proxmox guest after confirmation and return the accepted task UPID
  • proxmox_task_statusInspect one asynchronous Proxmox task by node and opaque UPID
  • proxmox_script_listList the curated Proxmox VE Community Scripts catalog (community-scripts/ProxmoxVE)
  • proxmox_script_commandRender the pinned install command for one Proxmox VE Community Script. Never fetches or runs it; the caller reviews and runs it themselves on the Proxmox host
  • docker_listList Docker containers with their status, image, and ports
  • +28 more on the listing page

Kakunin tools 3

  • verify_agent_scopeCheck whether this agent is authorised to perform an action before executing it. Verifies the active X.509 certificate, permitted_actions scope, financial limits, and revocation status.
  • check_risk_scoreRetrieve the agent's rolling 30-day risk score, band (`low`/`medium`/`high`), drift trend, and actionable guidance. No input required.
  • audit_log_appendAppend a behavioral event to the agent's immutable audit log. Returns risk score + transaction ID. Events scoring ≥ 0.85 auto-trigger a certificate revocation check.

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.

Homebutler

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "higangssh-homebutler": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "homebutler@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Kakunin

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kakunin-2": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@kakunin/mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "KAKUNIN_API_KEY": "YOUR_KAKUNIN_API_KEY_HERE",
        "KAKUNIN_AGENT_ID": "YOUR_KAKUNIN_AGENT_ID_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Homebutler is categorized under Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Kakunin belongs to Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Homebutler for monitoring work and Kakunin for monitoring.

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.

Homebutler is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Kakunin 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 higangssh-homebutler and kakunin-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Homebutler has a quality signal of 71/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 305 GitHub stars. Kakunin has 52/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.