Markdown Formatter vs Mdshare
A side-by-side look at the Markdown Formatter and Mdshare MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Markdown Formatter for workplace & productivity work as a local process; choose Mdshare for workplace & productivity as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Markdown Formatter when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Workplace & Productivity domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
harmonize_markdown, convert_to_txt, convert_to_rtf.
Choose Mdshare when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Workplace & Productivity domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
upload_markdown, read_document, update_document.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Workplace & Productivity | Workplace & Productivity |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 64/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 2 | 8 |
| Directory activity | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 34 | 14 |
| Full listing | View Markdown Formatter | View Mdshare |
Tools & capabilities
Markdown Formatter tools 34
harmonize_markdownStandardize and normalize Markdown syntax without changing the document's meaning. Re-formats headers (ATX-style), normalizes list markers to '-', enforces fenced code blocks with backticks, and applies consistent indentation. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the harmonized Markdown to disk (creates parent directories as needed, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the harmonized text as a string with no file I/O. Returns: harmonized Markdown string (if no output_path), or JSON with { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this tool when you need to clean up inconsistent Markdown formatting before further processing. Prefer convert_to_md with harmonize=true if you also need to save the result, as it combines both steps. Not suitable for converting Markdown to other formats — use the convert_to_* tools instead.convert_to_txtConvert Markdown to plain text by stripping all formatting — removes headers, bold/italic markers, links, images, code fences, and HTML tags. The result is a human-readable plain-text string with no markup. This is a destructive conversion: formatting information is permanently lost. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the plain text to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the plain text string directly. Returns: plain text string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this instead of convert_to_md when you need formatting-free content (e.g. for indexing, search, or clipboard). Use convert_to_html or convert_to_pdf if you need to preserve the document's visual structure.convert_to_rtfConvert Markdown to Rich Text Format (RTF). Produces an RTF document string preserving basic formatting: bold, italic, headers (as styled paragraphs), lists, and code blocks. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the RTF file to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the raw RTF markup as a string. Returns: RTF markup string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this when the target application requires RTF (e.g. legacy word processors, email clients). Prefer convert_to_docx for modern Word documents, or convert_to_html for web display.convert_to_latexConvert Markdown to LaTeX source code. Produces a LaTeX document fragment with \section, \textbf, \textit, \begin{itemize}/\begin{enumerate} list environments, verbatim code blocks, and table environments. KaTeX math expressions in the Markdown are passed through as native LaTeX math. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the .tex file to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the LaTeX source as a string. Returns: LaTeX source string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this when you need to embed content in a LaTeX workflow or compile to PDF via pdflatex/xelatex externally. For direct PDF output without a LaTeX toolchain, use convert_to_pdf instead.convert_to_docxConvert Markdown to a Microsoft Word DOCX file. Produces a binary .docx document with styled headings, bold/italic text, numbered and bulleted lists, and code formatting. This is a binary format — output_path should almost always be provided. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the DOCX binary to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns a JSON object with { format: 'docx', file_size_bytes, hint, base64_preview } — the hint will tell you to re-call with output_path to save the file. Returns: JSON write-confirmation (if output_path set), or JSON binary-guidance object (if omitted). Use this for Word-compatible documents. Prefer convert_to_rtf for legacy word processors, convert_to_pdf for read-only distribution, or convert_to_html for web.convert_to_pdfConvert Markdown to a PDF document. Renders the Markdown as styled HTML (GFM tables, KaTeX math) and then prints it to PDF via a headless Chromium browser (Puppeteer). Requires a locally installed Chrome, Edge, or Chromium — set PUPPETEER_EXECUTABLE_PATH env var to override auto-detection. This is a binary format — output_path should almost always be provided. Side effects: launches a transient headless browser process for rendering (no network requests are made for the conversion itself, though the HTML references a CDN KaTeX stylesheet which may be fetched). When output_path is provided, writes the PDF to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns JSON { format: 'pdf', file_size_bytes, hint, base64_preview }. Returns: JSON write-confirmation (if output_path set), or JSON binary-guidance object (if omitted). Use this for high-fidelity, print-ready document output. Prefer convert_to_html for web-viewable output, convert_to_docx for editable documents, or convert_to_latex for LaTeX toolchains.convert_to_imageConvert Markdown to a PNG image. Renders the Markdown as styled HTML (GFM tables, KaTeX math) and takes a full-page screenshot via a headless Chromium browser (Puppeteer). Requires a locally installed Chrome, Edge, or Chromium — set PUPPETEER_EXECUTABLE_PATH env var to override auto-detection. This is a binary format — output_path should almost always be provided. Side effects: launches a transient headless browser process (no persistent state; may fetch KaTeX CDN stylesheet). When output_path is provided, writes the PNG to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns JSON { format: 'png', file_size_bytes, hint, base64_preview }. Returns: JSON write-confirmation (if output_path set), or JSON binary-guidance object (if omitted). Use this when you need a visual snapshot of the rendered Markdown (e.g. for embedding in chat, previews, social cards). Prefer convert_to_pdf for paginated print output, or convert_to_html for interactive web content.convert_to_csvExtract tables from Markdown and convert them to CSV format. Parses GFM pipe-tables from the input and outputs comma-separated values. If the Markdown contains multiple tables, they are concatenated with a blank line separator. Non-table content is ignored. If the Markdown contains no tables, returns an empty string. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the CSV to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the CSV text directly as a string. Returns: CSV text string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this for lightweight tabular export or when downstream tools expect CSV. Prefer convert_to_xlsx for Excel-compatible spreadsheets with multiple sheets, or convert_to_json for structured data.convert_to_jsonConvert Markdown to a structured JSON representation. Parses the document into a JSON object with the document title as the root key, containing arrays of section objects with headings, paragraphs, lists, code blocks, and tables. Useful for programmatic analysis or feeding structured content into other systems. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the JSON to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the JSON string directly. Returns: JSON string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this when you need a machine-readable AST-like representation of the Markdown content. Prefer convert_to_xml for XML-based interchange, or convert_to_csv/convert_to_xlsx for tabular data extraction.convert_to_xmlConvert Markdown to an XML document. Parses the Markdown into a structured XML tree with a root element named after the title parameter, containing <section>, <heading>, <paragraph>, <list>, <code>, and <table> elements. Produces well-formed XML with an <?xml?> declaration. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the XML to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the XML string directly. Returns: XML string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this for XML-based data interchange or when downstream systems require XML input. Prefer convert_to_json for JSON APIs, convert_to_html for XHTML/web content, or convert_to_csv for flat tabular data.convert_to_xlsxConvert Markdown tables to a Microsoft Excel XLSX spreadsheet. Parses GFM pipe-tables from the input and creates an Excel workbook. Each table becomes a sheet in the workbook. Non-table content is ignored. If the Markdown contains no tables, produces an empty workbook. This is a binary format — output_path should almost always be provided. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the XLSX binary to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns JSON { format: 'xlsx', file_size_bytes, hint, base64_preview }. Returns: JSON write-confirmation (if output_path set), or JSON binary-guidance object (if omitted). Use this when you need a full Excel file with formatting. Prefer convert_to_csv for lightweight plain-text tabular export, or convert_to_json for structured programmatic access.convert_to_htmlConvert Markdown to a complete, styled HTML document. Renders GFM (tables, task lists, strikethrough) and KaTeX math into semantic HTML with an embedded stylesheet for clean presentation. The output is a full <!DOCTYPE html> document with <head> (charset, KaTeX CSS CDN link, inline styles) and <body>. Side effects: when output_path is provided, writes the HTML file to disk (creates parent directories, overwrites existing files). When output_path is omitted, returns the full HTML string directly. Returns: HTML document string (if no output_path), or JSON { success, file_path, file_size_bytes, format } (if output_path set). Use this when you need a file saved to disk or when you need the full document. Prefer generate_html if you only need the HTML string returned directly (no file I/O) and want inline styles without a CDN link. Prefer convert_to_pdf for print-ready output, or convert_to_image for a visual snapshot.- +22 more on the listing page
Mdshare tools 14
upload_markdownUpload markdown to mdshare and receive a shareable link. The response contains a read/comment/edit share link (default permission: comment) that the user can share with others. The admin credential (full control) is stored locally in ~/.mdshare-mcp/documents.json and is NOT returned in this response — if the user explicitly asks to see or save the admin URL, call get_admin_url. PREFER file_path over content for files already on disk — reads directly from disk without transmitting content through this conversation, which is dramatically faster for files larger than ~1KB.read_documentRead a markdown document from mdshare. Returns the content. If the document was uploaded via this MCP server, 'key' is optional — the admin key will be loaded from local storage. PREFER output_path over inline reading for large documents — writes directly to disk and returns a small summary, dramatically faster than echoing content through the conversation.update_documentUpdate the content of an existing mdshare document (full replace). Requires edit or admin permission. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional. PREFER file_path over content for files already on disk — reads directly from disk without transmitting content through this conversation. If both file_path and content are provided, file_path wins. For small edits to large documents, consider patch_document instead — keeps version history granular.patch_documentApply find/replace operations to a document without rewriting the full content. More efficient than update_document for small edits to large documents. Each find string must be unique unless replace_all is set. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional. PREFER file_path over operations for batches of operations stored in a JSON file on disk — bypasses inline transmission. If both file_path and operations are provided, file_path wins.generate_linkGenerate a share link for a document with specific permissions. Requires admin access. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional.list_linksList all share links for a document, including status (active/revoked), permission, and label. Requires admin access. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional.revoke_linkRevoke a share link, making it permanently inactive. Use list_links first to find the token of the link to revoke. Requires admin access. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional.list_commentsList all comments on a document, including replies and resolution status. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional.post_commentPost a comment on a document, optionally anchored to specific text. Can also reply to an existing comment. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional.resolve_commentResolve or unresolve a comment. Requires edit or admin permission. Key must be provided explicitly because comments are addressed by comment_id — the MCP server can't look up the parent document.get_versionsGet the edit history of a document — who edited, when, and via what. If the document is in this MCP server's local store, 'key' is optional.list_my_documentsList documents you've previously uploaded via this MCP server on this machine. Returns document_id, title, share_url, share_permission, created_at, and expires_at for each — does NOT return the admin credential. Use this to help the user find and resume older documents without re-pasting admin URLs. Does NOT include documents created via the mdshare web UI or via direct API calls from other clients — only those created by this MCP server. Returns an empty array on a fresh install or after the local store has been cleared.- +2 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.
Markdown Formatter
{
"mcpServers": {
"markdown-formatter": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@xjtlumedia/markdown-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Mdshare
{
"mcpServers": {
"urbanmorph-mdshare": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mdshare-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Markdown Formatter is categorized under Workplace & Productivity and uses a local stdio subprocess. Mdshare belongs to Workplace & Productivity and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Markdown Formatter for workplace & productivity work and Mdshare for workplace & productivity.
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.
Markdown Formatter is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Mdshare 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 markdown-formatter and urbanmorph-mdshare as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Markdown Formatter has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 5 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars. Mdshare has 64/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 8 GitHub stars.