SNAC Archives vs Magic MCP
A side-by-side look at the SNAC Archives and Magic MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
S
SNAC ArchivesDeveloper Tools · Local subprocess (stdio)Find which archive holds the papers: SNAC's index of archival collections, plus ArchiveGrid links.53GoodAuth: no auth requiredVerdict: choose SNAC Archives for developer tools work as a local process; choose Magic MCP 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?
SChoose SNAC Archives 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
search_collections, get_collection, repository_holdings.
Choose Magic 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:
TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY, API_KEY_21ST.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | S SNAC Archives | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 53/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | API key required |
| Pricing | Free | Paid service |
| Required env vars | None listed | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY |
Tools & capabilities
SNAC Archives tools 8
search_collectionsFind collections by words in their title. Each hit names its holding repository with a postal address, its OCLC number and its link, and flags the likely duplicates (the same papers catalogued two or three times).get_collectionOne collection in full: the whole abstract, extent, repository, links, and the names SNAC connects to it.repository_holdingsWhat SNAC links to one repository, filtered by title and paged.search_namesFind SNAC name records by name, optionally by kind: person, family, or corporate body (churches, businesses, societies, offices).get_nameOne name record: headings, dates, places, biographical note and identifier links (VIAF, Library of Congress and others). With `detail="full"`, every collection linked to it, with its role, and the related names.collections_in_commonCollections linked to both of two names: where to look for letters between intermarried families or an ancestor's associates.archivegrid_search_linkBuild an ArchiveGrid search, in its fielded syntax, for you to open; or a record link, given an OCLC number. Makes no request.cache_statusThis session's live calls and cache hits. Makes no request.
Magic 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.
SNAC Archives
{
"mcpServers": {
"snac-archives": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"snac-archives-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Magic MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"21st-dev-magic-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@21st-dev/cli@latest"
],
"env": {
"TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY": "YOUR_TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY_HERE",
"API_KEY_21ST": "YOUR_API_KEY_21ST_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
SNAC Archives is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Magic MCP belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick SNAC Archives for developer tools work and Magic MCP 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.
SNAC Archives is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Magic MCP is listed as a paid service. Auth: api key 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 snac-archives and 21st-dev-magic-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, SNAC Archives has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Magic MCP has 53/100 (Good) with 16 views, 1 installs and 5,997 GitHub stars.
