MCP Language Server vs Build

In-depth architectural comparison of the MCP Language Server and Build 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.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose MCP Language Server when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
• Primary tools included: definition, references, diagnostics.

Explore MCP Language Server Details

Choose Build when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
• Primary tools included: Schema-validated structured JSON output, Human-readable MCP content output, TypeScript compiler support.

Explore Build Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	MCP Language Server isaacphi Developer Tools	Build Developer Tools
Summary	MCP Language Server helps MCP enabled clients navigate codebases more easily by giving them access to semantic tools like get definition, references, rename, and diagnostics.	Structured build tool output (tsc, generic commands) as typed JSON diagnostics.
Category & Scope	Developer Tools

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

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).

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "isaacphi-mcp-language-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "isaacphi-mcp-language-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "build": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@paretools/init"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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