Keel vs Chatpack MCP
A side-by-side look at the Keel and Chatpack MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Keel for developer tools work as a local process; choose Chatpack MCP for developer tools as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Keel when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
health, ping, traceroute.
Choose Chatpack MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
search_docs, get_document, get_integration_guide.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 47/100 · Fair | 87/100 · Excellent |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Verified |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 224 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 14 | 5 |
| Full listing | View Keel | View Chatpack MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Keel tools 14
healthServer version and status checkpingTCP connect ping (port 80) with latency statstracerouteTrace network route to a hostdns_lookupResolve DNS records (A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, NS)reverse_dnsReverse DNS lookup for an IP addressport_checkCheck if a single TCP port is openport_scanScan common TCP ports (rate-limited, max 100)check_ssl_certInspect SSL/TLS certificate details and expirywhois_lookupWHOIS domain registration lookuphttp_checkHTTP request with status, timing, headers, sizesubnet_scanDiscover live hosts on a local subnet (RFC 1918 only)get_public_ipGet the machine's public IP address- +2 more on the listing page
Chatpack MCP tools 5
search_docsSearch bundled Chatpack documentation and the authoritative llms reference. Returns document ids, links and matching excerpts with package versions.get_documentRead a complete bundled Chatpack document by id. Use llms for the authoritative integration contract or concepts/errors for troubleshooting.get_integration_guideRetrieve the repository's framework setup guide with authentication guidance and the authoritative llms reference. Examples match the bundled package versions.list_ui_blocksList public runtime exports of @chatpack/ui, including components, providers and utilities. Returns names accepted by get_ui_block.get_ui_blockRetrieve a public @chatpack/ui export's source module and usage guide. Optionally include supporting UI modules and stylesheet. Files are reference source, not a standalone copy-and-paste component.
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.
Keel
{
"mcpServers": {
"keel-2": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"sounding-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Chatpack MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"chatpack-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@chatpack/mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Keel is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Chatpack MCP belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Keel for developer tools work and Chatpack MCP for developer tools.
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.
Keel has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Chatpack MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. 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 keel-2 and chatpack-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Keel has a quality signal of 47/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Chatpack MCP has 87/100 (Excellent) with 4 views, 0 installs and 224 GitHub stars.