Steel Tools vs Ruv Swarm
A side-by-side look at the Steel Tools and Ruv Swarm MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
S
Steel ToolsDeveloper ToolsRead-only steel calculators: gauge thickness, plate weight, AISC shape weights, connections.37FairAuth: not declaredVerdict: choose Steel Tools for developer tools work; choose Ruv Swarm 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 Steel Tools when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
Choose Ruv Swarm 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.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | S Steel Tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 37/100 · Fair | 51/100 · Good |
| Install command | Not confirmed yet | Confirmed |
| Transport | — | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing |
Tools & capabilities
Steel Tools tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Ruv Swarm 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.
Steel Tools
No confirmed install command for Steel Tools yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Ruv Swarm
{
"mcpServers": {
"ruv-swarm": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"ruv-swarm@latest"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Steel Tools is categorized under Developer Tools and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Ruv Swarm belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Steel Tools for developer tools work and Ruv Swarm 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. Steel Tools has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Steel Tools has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Ruv Swarm 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 steel-tools and ruv-swarm as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Steel Tools has a quality signal of 37/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Ruv Swarm has 51/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 385 GitHub stars.
