MCP Server vs Z Image MCP
A side-by-side look at the MCP Server and Z Image MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose MCP Server for multimedia process work as a local process; choose Z Image MCP for multimedia process as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
WAVESPEED_API_KEY. - You want tools like
list_models, get_model_schema, run_model.
Choose Z Image MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
RUNAPI_API_KEY. - You want tools like
login, text_to_image, get_task.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multimedia Process | Multimedia Process |
| Quality signal | 67/100 · Great | 59/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | BYOK (pay the provider) | Not declared |
| Required env vars | WAVESPEED_API_KEY | RUNAPI_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 34 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 11 | 4 |
| Full listing | View MCP Server | View Z Image MCP |
Tools & capabilities
MCP Server tools 11
list_modelsSearch the live WaveSpeed model catalog (image, video, audio, 3D). Returns model IDs usable with run_model. Do not invent model IDs — always pick one returned by this tool.get_model_schemaGet a model's real input schema (required fields, properties, defaults). Call this before run_model so inputs match what the model actually accepts.run_modelRun any WaveSpeed model. input keys come from get_model_schema; unknown keys are rejected before submission. Local files: pass "@./path" string values — they are uploaded and replaced with hosted URLs (bare paths are NOT uploaded). Returns the prediction id right away (done=false); call get_prediction with that id and wait_seconds until done=true to get the output URLs. The task keeps running on the server. Pass wait_seconds here to wait for a quick model in the same call.get_priceEstimate the cost of a run before executing it (no charge). Provide the same input you would pass to run_model — pricing often depends on inputs like duration or resolution, and a quote made without them can be lower than the real charge.get_balanceShow the WaveSpeed account credit balance, with the link to top up.list_predictionsList past predictions (run history), newest window first. Defaults to the last 24 hours; pass since/until (ISO or YYYY-MM-DD) for other ranges. Use get_prediction with an id for one task in full.list_billingsList itemized charges and refunds (billing records). Requires an API key with Billing access.get_usageUsage statistics: spend, request counts, daily series and per-model breakdown. Defaults to the last 7 days. Requires an API key with Billing access.delete_predictionsDelete finished predictions from this account's run history, up to 100 at a time. They stop appearing in list_predictions and get_prediction, and this tool cannot bring them back. Runs that are still going are left alone, and only the key's own organization's records are deleted. Ask the user first, and pass confirm: true only after they agreed to delete these ids.upload_fileUpload a local file to WaveSpeed and get its hosted URL (identical bytes reuse the same upload for 24h). Usually unnecessary — run_model handles "@./path" inputs itself.get_predictionFetch the status and outputs of a past or in-flight prediction by id — use to pick up a run that returned done=false. Pass wait_seconds to keep waiting for it to finish.
Z Image MCP tools 4
loginAuthenticate RunAPI by opening a browser PKCE login flow and saving the API key to ~/.config/runapi/config.json.text_to_imageCreate a Z Image task on RunAPI (text to image). Returns a task id, status, and output URLs.get_taskFetch the current status and latest result payload for a z-image task.check_pricingLook up RunAPI pricing for the z-image model line.
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.
MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-215": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"fetch"
],
"env": {
"WAVESPEED_API_KEY": "YOUR_WAVESPEED_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Z Image MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"z-image-mcp-2": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@runapi.ai/z-image-mcp"
],
"env": {
"RUNAPI_API_KEY": "YOUR_RUNAPI_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
MCP Server is categorized under Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Z Image MCP belongs to Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Server for multimedia process work and Z Image MCP for multimedia process.
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.
MCP Server is bring-your-own-key: usage is billed by the API provider you supply a key for. Auth: api key required. Z Image MCP 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 mcp-215 and z-image-mcp-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, MCP Server has a quality signal of 67/100 (Great) with 1 views, 0 installs and 34 GitHub stars. Z Image MCP has 59/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.