What is the key difference between Workspace Tools and Container Use?

Workspace Tools belongs to the Code Execution category with local stdio execution, while Container Use belongs to the Code Execution category with cloud HTTP/SSE execution.

How do I install Workspace Tools or Container Use in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Workspace Tools and Container Use free or paid?

Workspace Tools operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). Container Use operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Workspace Tools lists 0 tools with 0 views and 0 GitHub stars. Container Use lists 6 tools with 2 views and 4,005 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Workspace Tools and Container Use together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

How do I install Workspace Tools or Container Use in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are Workspace Tools and Container Use free to use, or do they require API keys?

Workspace Tools is listed under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . Container Use operates under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both Workspace Tools and Container Use at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both workspace-tools and dagger-container-use as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, Workspace Tools has a Quality Score of 32 /100 ( Emerging ) with 0 views, 0 installs, and 0 GitHub stars. Container Use holds a Quality Score of 61 /100 ( Good ) with 2 views, 0 installs, and 4,005 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Workspace Tools vs Container Use

In-depth architectural comparison of the Workspace Tools and Container Use MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Workspace Tools

Code Execution · Local stdio

Quality: 32/100 (Emerging) | Auth: No auth required

Container Use

Code Execution · Remote HTTP/SSE

Quality: 61/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Workspace Tools if you need specialized Code Execution tools running via a local process. Choose Container Use if your workspace requires Code Execution integration with remote web transport. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Workspace Tools when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Code Execution domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).

Explore Workspace Tools Details

Choose Container Use when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Code Execution domain.
You prefer remote streaming HTTP/SSE transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
Primary tools included: Isolated container environments per agent with separate git branches, Real-time visibility into commands and logs executed by agents, Terminal access to agent environments for manual intervention.

Explore Container Use Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	W Workspace Tools Code Execution	Container Use dagger Code Execution
Summary	Sandbox workspace tools: search, file read, DB queries, integrations. Returns synthetic data.	Containerized environments for coding agents. Multiple agents can work independently, isolated in fresh containers and git branches. No conflicts, many experiments. Full execution history, terminal access to agent environments, git workflow. Any agent/model/infra stack.
Category & Scope	Code Execution

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Workspace Tools Tools (0)

No explicit tool names declared in metadata yet. Check project README on main listing page.

Container Use Tools (6)

Isolated container environments per agent with separate git branches

Real-time visibility into commands and logs executed by agents

Terminal access to agent environments for manual intervention

Standard git workflow integration for environment control

Compatible with any MCP-compatible agent or model

Open-source CLI tool powered by Dagger

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

Workspace Tools Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "workspace-tools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "workspace-tools"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Container Use Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dagger-container-use": {
      "url": "https://img.shields.io/badge/stability-experimental-orange.svg"
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Workspace Tools is categorized under Code Execution and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Container Use belongs to Code Execution using remote streaming HTTP/SSE transport. Select Workspace Tools when you need capabilities focused on code execution and Container Use when you require tools for code execution.

More alternatives to Workspace Tools More alternatives to Container Use Code Execution category hub Canonical compare URL