MCP Mermaid vs Pbirb MCP

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

MCP Mermaid logoMCP MermaidData Visualization · Local subprocess (stdio)Generate mermaid diagram and chart with AI MCP dynamically.65GreatAuth: no auth requiredPbirb MCP logoPbirb MCPData Visualization · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server for editing Power BI Report Builder paginated reports (RDL)48FairAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose MCP Mermaid for data visualization work as a local process; choose Pbirb MCP for data visualization as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

MCP Mermaid logoChoose MCP Mermaid when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Visualization domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like generate_mermaid_diagram.
Explore MCP Mermaid

Pbirb MCP logoChoose Pbirb MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Visualization domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You have the keys it needs: PBIRB_MCP_LOG_FILE.
  • You want tools like describe_report, get_datasets, list_data_sources.
Explore Pbirb MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecMCP Mermaid logoMCP MermaidPbirb MCP logoPbirb MCP
CategoryData VisualizationData Visualization
Quality signal65/100 · Great48/100 · Fair
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedPBIRB_MCP_LOG_FILE
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars6466
Directory activity 8 views 0 installs 1 upvotes 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools180

Tools & capabilities

MCP Mermaid tools 1

  • generate_mermaid_diagramGenerate mermaid diagram and chart with mermaid syntax dynamically. Mermaid is a JavaScript based diagramming and charting tool that uses Markdown-inspired text definitions and a renderer to create and modify complex diagrams. The main purpose of Mermaid is to help documentation catch up with development.

Pbirb MCP tools 80

  • describe_reportTop-level inventory: data sources, datasets, parameters, tablixes, page setup
  • get_datasetsFull DAX command text, fields, query parameters, dataset filters (all, or one by name)
  • list_data_sourcesData source inventory; one source's connection details
  • get_parametersReport parameters with data type, prompt, and flags (multi-value, hidden, nullable, allow-blank)
  • get_tablixesTablix layout: columns, row/column groups, sort expressions, filters, visibility
  • list_tablix_filtersFilters in document order with stable indices
  • list_body_itemsNamed report items in each region
  • get_textboxFull properties of a named report item
  • list_embedded_imagesEmbedded image names + MIME types; base64 bytes of one
  • get_expression_referenceCheat-sheet of common RDL expression patterns (`count_where`, `sum_where`, `iif_format` helpers build these)
  • set_datasource_connectionRepoint a `<DataSource>` at a Power BI XMLA endpoint. `DataProvider=SQL` (the AS provider id).
  • add_data_sourceManage `<DataSource>` elements
  • +68 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.

MCP Mermaid

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hustcc-mcp-mermaid": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-mermaid"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Pbirb MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pbirb-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "pbirb-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PBIRB_MCP_LOG_FILE": "YOUR_PBIRB_MCP_LOG_FILE_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

MCP Mermaid is categorized under Data Visualization and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pbirb MCP belongs to Data Visualization and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Mermaid for data visualization work and Pbirb MCP for data visualization.

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.

MCP Mermaid is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Pbirb MCP 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 hustcc-mcp-mermaid and pbirb-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, MCP Mermaid has a quality signal of 65/100 (Great) with 8 views, 0 installs and 646 GitHub stars. Pbirb MCP has 48/100 (Fair) with 2 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars.