Codex MCP Tool vs Zerostel
A side-by-side look at the Codex MCP Tool and Zerostel MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Z
ZerostelCoding AgentsCheckpoints, timeline and rewind for AI coding agents. Local, no telemetry.35FairAuth: no auth requiredVerdict: choose Codex MCP Tool for coding agents work as a local process; choose Zerostel for coding agents. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Codex MCP Tool when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You have the keys it needs:
CODEX_CLI_PATH, CODEX_SESSION_TTL_MS, CODEX_MAX_SESSIONS. - You want tools like
ask-codex, batch-codex, review-changes.
ZChoose Zerostel when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Coding Agents domain.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | Z Zerostel | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Coding Agents | Coding Agents |
| Quality signal | 68/100 · Great | 35/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | other | No auth required |
| Pricing | BYOK (pay the provider) | Free |
| Required env vars | CODEX_CLI_PATHCODEX_SESSION_TTL_MSCODEX_MAX_SESSIONS | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 24 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 13 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Codex MCP Tool | View Zerostel |
Tools & capabilities
Codex MCP Tool tools 13
ask-codexExecute Codex CLI with file analysis (@syntax), skills ($syntax), model selection, and safety controls. Supports changeMode.batch-codexDelegate multiple atomic tasks to Codex for batch processing. Ideal for repetitive operations, mass refactoring, and automated code transformationsreview-changesRun a code review against the current repository using Codex CLI native review subcommandpingEchohelpreceive help informationversionDisplay version and system informationbrainstormGenerate creative ideas using structured frameworks with domain context and feasibility analysis.fetch-chunkRetrieves cached chunks from a changeMode response. Use this to get subsequent chunks after receiving a partial changeMode response.timeout-testTest timeout prevention by running for a specified durationlist-sessionsList all active conversation sessions with metadata, or manage sessionshealthCheck Codex CLI and session health statuslist-skillsDiscover available Codex skills from .agents/skills/ directory- +1 more on the listing page
Zerostel 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.
Codex MCP Tool
{
"mcpServers": {
"x51xxx-codex-mcp-tool": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@trishchuk/codex-mcp-tool"
],
"env": {
"CODEX_CLI_PATH": "YOUR_CODEX_CLI_PATH_HERE",
"CODEX_SESSION_TTL_MS": "YOUR_CODEX_SESSION_TTL_MS_HERE",
"CODEX_MAX_SESSIONS": "YOUR_CODEX_MAX_SESSIONS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Zerostel
No confirmed install command for Zerostel yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
Codex MCP Tool is categorized under Coding Agents and uses a local stdio subprocess. Zerostel belongs to Coding Agents and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Codex MCP Tool for coding agents work and Zerostel for coding agents.
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. Zerostel has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Codex MCP Tool is bring-your-own-key: usage is billed by the API provider you supply a key for. Auth: other. Zerostel 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 x51xxx-codex-mcp-tool and zerostel as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Codex MCP Tool has a quality signal of 68/100 (Great) with 4 views, 0 installs and 24 GitHub stars. Zerostel has 35/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.