AI Distiller MCP vs Shodan
A side-by-side look at the AI Distiller MCP and Shodan MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose AI Distiller MCP for security work as a local process; choose Shodan for security as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose AI Distiller MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
distill_file, distill_directory, distill_with_dependencies.
Choose Shodan when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
SHODAN_API_KEY. - You want tools like
ip_lookup, shodan_search, cve_lookup.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Security | Security |
| Quality signal | 65/100 · Great | 68/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | SHODAN_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 172 | 178 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 16 | 11 |
| Full listing | View AI Distiller MCP | View Shodan |
Tools & capabilities
AI Distiller MCP tools 16
distill_fileExtracts essential code structure from a single file - the core functionality of AI Distiller. Returns clean, structured code signatures optimized for AI context windows. USAGE: Essential for providing accurate code context to AI assistants. Automatically detects language and extracts API signatures, types, and structure while removing unnecessary implementation details.distill_directoryExtracts essential code structure from entire directories - the core functionality of AI Distiller. Processes all supported programming languages and returns structured API/code signatures optimized for AI context windows. USAGE: Perfect for understanding codebases, API discovery, and providing accurate code context to AI assistants. Supports filtering by visibility levels, file patterns, and content types.distill_with_dependenciesAnalyzes call dependencies and returns distilled code of only relevant methods/classes up to specified depth. This advanced feature traces function/method calls across files and includes only the code that is actually called from the target file, creating focused distillations for deep code analysis. USAGE: Perfect for understanding code execution flows, impact analysis, and creating focused context for AI assistants. Particularly useful for large codebases where you need to understand how specific functionality works across multiple files.aid_hunt_bugsGenerates a bug hunting prompt with distilled code for AI agents to systematically identify potential bugs, logical errors, race conditions, and quality issues. Use when you need AI to analyze code for hidden bugs or perform a comprehensive code health check. OUTPUT: Generates a markdown file with bug hunting prompt and distilled code. The response includes the file path - AI agents should read this file and follow instructions to perform the actual bug analysis.aid_suggest_refactoringGenerates a refactoring analysis prompt with distilled code for AI agents to identify specific refactoring opportunities. Use when you need AI to suggest improvements for code quality, readability, maintainability, or performance. OUTPUT: Generates a markdown file with refactoring prompt and distilled code. The response includes the file path - AI agents should read this file and follow instructions to provide refactoring suggestions with before/after examples.aid_generate_diagramGenerates a diagram creation prompt with distilled code for AI agents to create architectural diagrams in Mermaid format. Use when you need AI to generate flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, and architecture overviews. OUTPUT: Generates a markdown file with diagram generation prompt and distilled code. The response includes the file path - AI agents should read this file and follow instructions to create 10+ Mermaid diagrams.aid_analyze_securityGenerates a security analysis prompt with distilled code for AI agents to perform comprehensive security audits with OWASP Top 10 focus. Use when you need AI to identify vulnerabilities, security anti-patterns, and weak points. OUTPUT: Generates a markdown file with security audit prompt and distilled code. The response includes the file path - AI agents should read this file and follow instructions to analyze security vulnerabilities and suggest remediation.aid_generate_docsGenerates documentation creation prompts with distilled code for AI agents to create comprehensive documentation including API references, usage examples, and developer guides. Use when you need AI to generate technical documentation from code. OUTPUT: Generates markdown files with documentation prompts and distilled code. The response includes file paths - AI agents should read these files and follow instructions to create the actual documentation.aid_deep_file_analysisGenerates task lists and prompts for systematic file-by-file analysis. Creates a structured workflow where AI agents analyze each file across multiple dimensions (Security, Performance, Maintainability, Readability). Perfect for comprehensive codebase reviews. OUTPUT: Generates task list, summary template, and directory structure for organizing analysis results. AI agents should read the task list and follow instructions systematically.aid_multi_file_docsCreates documentation workflow prompts with file relationships. Generates structured prompts that guide AI agents to create interconnected documentation covering multiple files, their relationships, and overall system architecture. OUTPUT: Generates workflow files that AI agents can follow to create comprehensive documentation with proper cross-references.aid_complex_analysisEnterprise-grade analysis prompt with full codebase context. Generates comprehensive prompts for architecture analysis, compliance checks, and detailed findings. Best suited for large codebases requiring deep architectural insights. OUTPUT: Generates analysis prompt with distilled code that AI agents can use to create architecture diagrams, identify patterns, and provide strategic recommendations.aid_performance_analysisPerformance optimization prompt with complexity focus. Generates analysis prompts that guide AI agents to identify performance bottlenecks, analyze algorithmic complexity, and suggest optimization strategies. OUTPUT: Generates performance analysis prompt focusing on scalability issues, resource usage, and optimization opportunities.- +4 more on the listing page
Shodan tools 11
ip_lookupRetrieve comprehensive information about an IP address, including geolocation, operating system, open ports, running services (product, version, CPE), known vulnerabilities (CVEs), SSL certificates, hostnames, and cloud provider details if available. Returns service banners and HTTP server information when present. Optional history returns historical banners; minify omits banners.shodan_searchSearch Shodan's database of internet-connected devices. Returns detailed information about matching devices including services, vulnerabilities, and geographic distribution. Supports advanced search filters and returns facet statistics (default: by country). Costs 1 query credit when the query uses filters, plus 1 per page beyond the first. Use shodan_count (free) to get totals and facets without results.cve_lookupQuery detailed vulnerability information from Shodan's CVEDB. Returns comprehensive CVE details including CVSS scores (v4/v3/v2), EPSS probability and ranking, KEV status, proposed mitigations, ransomware associations, and affected products (CPEs).dns_lookupResolve domain names to IP addresses using Shodan's DNS service. Supports batch resolution of multiple hostnames in a single query. Returns IP addresses mapped to their corresponding hostnames.reverse_dns_lookupPerform reverse DNS lookups to find hostnames associated with IP addresses. Supports batch lookups of multiple IP addresses in a single query. Returns all known hostnames for each IP address, with clear indication when no hostnames are found.cpe_lookupSearch for Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) entries by product name in Shodan's CVEDB. Supports pagination and can return either full CPE details or just the total count. Useful for identifying specific versions and configurations of software and hardware.cves_by_productSearch for vulnerabilities affecting specific products or CPEs. Supports filtering by KEV status, sorting by EPSS score, date ranges, and pagination. Can search by product name or CPE 2.3 identifier. Returns detailed vulnerability information including severity scores and impact assessments.shodan_countGet the total number of Shodan results for a query, with optional facet breakdowns (e.g. by country, org, port). Free: does not consume query credits. Use search_filters to list valid filters and facets.domain_infoGet subdomains and DNS records for a domain from Shodan. Costs 1 query credit per lookup.api_infoShow the Shodan API plan, remaining query and scan credits, monitored IPs, and usage limits for the configured API key. Free: does not consume credits.search_filtersList the search filters and facets Shodan supports. Use this to build valid shodan_search and shodan_count queries and facets. Free: does not consume credits.
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.
AI Distiller MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"janreges-ai-distiller-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@janreges/ai-distiller-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Shodan
{
"mcpServers": {
"shodan-2": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@burtthecoder/mcp-shodan"
],
"env": {
"SHODAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_SHODAN_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
AI Distiller MCP is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Shodan belongs to Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick AI Distiller MCP for security work and Shodan for security.
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.
AI Distiller MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Shodan 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 janreges-ai-distiller-mcp and shodan-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, AI Distiller MCP has a quality signal of 65/100 (Great) with 4 views, 0 installs and 172 GitHub stars. Shodan has 68/100 (Great) with 1 views, 0 installs and 178 GitHub stars.