Homebutler vs RadioChron

A side-by-side look at the Homebutler and RadioChron 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 requiredRadioChron logoRadioChronMonitoring · Local subprocess (stdio)Local-first Wi-Fi status, BSS analysis, history, connectivity diagnosis, and chronicle.53GoodAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose Homebutler for monitoring work as a local process; choose RadioChron 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

RadioChron logoChoose RadioChron when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Monitoring domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You have the keys it needs: RADIOCHRON_CHRONICLE_PATH.
  • You want tools like diagnose_incident, wifi_status, wifi_networks.
Explore RadioChron

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecHomebutler logoHomebutlerRadioChron logoRadioChron
CategoryMonitoringMonitoring
Quality signal71/100 · Great53/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedRADIOCHRON_CHRONICLE_PATH
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars3051
Directory activity 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools4017

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

RadioChron tools 17

  • diagnose_incidentOrchestrate Wi-Fi, connectivity, history, chronicle, and optional native BLE evidence in one compact response
  • wifi_statusCurrent state of every WLAN interface
  • wifi_networksNearby BSS records with real dBm, security, width, and load; summary or full detail
  • wifi_analyzeSignal, contention, roaming, security, and scan-quality findings
  • wifi_sampleCancelable RSSI/rate/roaming sampling with progress
  • wifi_scanNative Wi-Fi refresh with per-interface completion/failure
  • connectivity_diagnoseSeparate radio, authentication, IP assignment, gateway, DNS, TCP, portal, TLS, quality, and Internet stages
  • chronicle_startStart the local rotating change-only JSONL recorder
  • chronicle_stopStop and flush the recorder
  • chronicle_statusRecorder state, path, counters, and latest error
  • chronicle_recentRecent entries from active and rotated files
  • ble_scanScan native adapters without connecting, normalize advertisements, update histories, and return risk evidence
  • +5 more on 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.

Homebutler

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

RadioChron

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "radiochron": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "radiochron-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "RADIOCHRON_CHRONICLE_PATH": "YOUR_RADIOCHRON_CHRONICLE_PATH_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Homebutler is categorized under Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. RadioChron belongs to Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Homebutler for monitoring work and RadioChron 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. RadioChron 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 radiochron 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 5 views, 0 installs and 305 GitHub stars. RadioChron has 53/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.