Kwin MCP vs Gnome Desktop MCP
A side-by-side look at the Kwin MCP and Gnome Desktop MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Kwin MCP for os automation work as a local process; choose Gnome Desktop MCP for os automation. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Kwin MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the OS Automation domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
session_start, session_connect, session_stop.
Choose Gnome Desktop MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the OS Automation domain.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
screenshot, screenshot_window, screenshot_area.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | OS Automation | OS Automation |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 49/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 2 | 15 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 30 | 26 |
| Full listing | View Kwin MCP | View Gnome Desktop MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Kwin MCP tools 30
session_startStart an isolated KWin Wayland session, optionally launching an app. A screen size of `0` auto-detects the bounding box of the logical desktop (all enabled outputs / connected monitors). Set `enable_clipboard=true` to enable clipboard tools (requires `wl-clipboard`). Set `keep_screenshots=true` to…session_connectConnect to an existing KWin session (real desktop or container). Defaults to `$DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS` and `$WAYLAND_DISPLAY`. Clipboard is always enabled. `session_stop` only disconnects without killing KWin or pre-existing apps.session_stopStop the session and clean up. For virtual sessions: terminates KWin and all apps. For live sessions: disconnects without killing KWin or pre-existing apps.screenshotCapture a screenshot of the virtual display (saved as PNG, returns file path)accessibility_treeGet the AT-SPI2 widget tree with roles, names, states, and screen coordinates (translated from window-local coordinates via compositor-side window geometry). Use `role` to filter to specific element types (e.g. `"button"`, `"check box"`). Non-matching elements are hidden but their children are stil…find_ui_elementsSearch for UI elements by name, role, or description (case-insensitive). Returns screen coordinates suitable for `mouse_click` and friends. Optionally filter by AT-SPI2 states (e.g. `["focused"]`, `["active", "visible"]`). `query` can be empty when filtering by states only.mouse_clickClick at coordinates. Supports left/right/middle, single/double/triple click, modifier keys (e.g. `["ctrl", "shift"]`), and long-press via `hold_ms`.mouse_moveMove the cursor (hover) to coordinates without clickingmouse_scrollScroll at coordinates. `delta` positive = down/right, negative = up/left. Use `discrete=true` for wheel ticks, `steps` to split into smooth increments.mouse_dragDrag from one point to another with smooth interpolation. Supports custom `waypoints` for complex drag paths.mouse_button_downPress a mouse button at coordinates without releasing. Use with `mouse_button_up` for manual drag control.mouse_button_upRelease a previously pressed mouse button at coordinates- +18 more on the listing page
Gnome Desktop MCP tools 26
screenshotFull screen capturescreenshot_windowCapture a specific windowscreenshot_areaCapture a rectangular regionpick_colorGet pixel color at coordinatescleanup_screenshotsRemove temp screenshot fileslist_windowsList all open windowsget_windowGet detailed window propertiesfocus_windowFocus and raise a windowmove_resize_windowMove and resize a windowminimize_windowMinimize/restoremaximize_windowMaximize/restoreclose_windowClose a window- +14 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.
Kwin MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"kwin-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"kwin-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Gnome Desktop MCP
No confirmed install command for Gnome Desktop MCP yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
Kwin MCP is categorized under OS Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Gnome Desktop MCP belongs to OS Automation and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Kwin MCP for os automation work and Gnome Desktop MCP for os automation.
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. Gnome Desktop MCP has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Kwin MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Gnome Desktop 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 kwin-mcp and sbuysse-gnome-desktop-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Kwin MCP has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars. Gnome Desktop MCP has 49/100 (Fair) with 4 views, 0 installs and 15 GitHub stars.