Overleaf MCP vs MCP Server Markdown
A side-by-side look at the Overleaf MCP and MCP Server Markdown MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Overleaf MCPDeveloper Tools · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server that lets AI assistants read Overleaf projects, parse LaTeX document structure, and push section-level edits back via Git.57GoodAuth: api key requiredVerdict: choose Overleaf MCP for developer tools work as a local process; choose MCP Server Markdown 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 Overleaf MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
OVERLEAF_PROJECT_ID, OVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN, OVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN_FILE, OVERLEAF_PROJECT_NAME, OVERLEAF_PROJECTS_CONFIG. - You want tools like
list_projects, list_files, read_file.
Choose MCP Server Markdown 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
list_files, search_docs, get_section.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | Overleaf MCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 57/100 · Good | 64/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | OVERLEAF_PROJECT_IDOVERLEAF_GIT_TOKENOVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN_FILEOVERLEAF_PROJECT_NAMEOVERLEAF_PROJECTS_CONFIG | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 326 | 8 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 8 | 6 |
| Full listing | View Overleaf MCP | View MCP Server Markdown |
Tools & capabilities
Overleaf MCP tools 8
list_projectsList all configured projects.list_filesList files in a project (default: .tex files).read_fileRead a specific file from the project.get_sectionsGet all sections from a LaTeX file.get_section_contentGet content of a specific section.status_summaryGet a comprehensive project status summary.write_fileWrite the full content of a file to the project.write_sectionWrite the content of a specific section to the project.
MCP Server Markdown tools 6
list_filesList all .md files in a directory recursively. Returns relative paths sorted alphabetically.search_docsFull-text search across all .md files in a directory. Returns file, line number, and matching line. Limited to 50 results.get_sectionExtract a section by heading from a markdown file. Returns content from that heading until the next heading of same or higher level.list_headingsList all headings (# through ######) in a markdown file as a table of contents.find_code_blocksFind all fenced code blocks in a markdown file. Optionally filter by language (e.g. typescript, python).get_frontmatterParse YAML frontmatter (between --- delimiters) at the start of a markdown file. Returns key-value metadata.
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.
Overleaf MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"mjyoo2-overleaf-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@mjyoo2/overleaf-mcp"
],
"env": {
"OVERLEAF_PROJECT_ID": "YOUR_OVERLEAF_PROJECT_ID_HERE",
"OVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN": "YOUR_OVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN_HERE",
"OVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN_FILE": "YOUR_OVERLEAF_GIT_TOKEN_FILE_HERE",
"OVERLEAF_PROJECT_NAME": "YOUR_OVERLEAF_PROJECT_NAME_HERE",
"OVERLEAF_PROJECTS_CONFIG": "YOUR_OVERLEAF_PROJECTS_CONFIG_HERE"
}
}
}
}
MCP Server Markdown
{
"mcpServers": {
"ofershap-mcp-server-markdown": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-server-markdown"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Overleaf MCP is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. MCP Server Markdown belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Overleaf MCP for developer tools work and MCP Server Markdown 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.
Overleaf MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Auth: api key required. MCP Server Markdown 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 mjyoo2-overleaf-mcp and ofershap-mcp-server-markdown as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Overleaf MCP has a quality signal of 57/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 326 GitHub stars. MCP Server Markdown has 64/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 8 GitHub stars.