Gnome Desktop MCP vs Scrivener MCP
A side-by-side look at the Gnome Desktop MCP and Scrivener MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Gnome Desktop MCP for os automation work; choose Scrivener MCP for knowledge & memory as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
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.
Choose Scrivener MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | OS Automation | Knowledge & Memory |
| Quality signal | 49/100 · Fair | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Not confirmed yet | Confirmed |
| Transport | — | 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 | 15 | 67 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 18 views 12 installs 6 upvotes |
| Tools | 26 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Gnome Desktop MCP | View Scrivener MCP |
Tools & capabilities
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
Scrivener MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from 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.
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.
Scrivener MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"writerslogic-scrivener-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"scrivener-setup"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Gnome Desktop MCP is categorized under OS Automation and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Scrivener MCP belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Gnome Desktop MCP for os automation work and Scrivener MCP for knowledge & memory.
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.
Gnome Desktop MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Scrivener 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 sbuysse-gnome-desktop-mcp and writerslogic-scrivener-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Gnome Desktop MCP has a quality signal of 49/100 (Fair) with 4 views, 0 installs and 15 GitHub stars. Scrivener MCP has 61/100 (Good) with 18 views, 12 installs and 67 GitHub stars.