Token Saver MCP

# Token Saver MCP vs Serena: Detailed Comparison ## Overview Both Token Saver MCP and Serena leverage Language Server Protocol (LSP) to provide token-efficient code intelligence to AI assistants. However, they take different approaches and serve different use cases. ## Core Philosophy ### Token Saver MCP - **Focus**: Transform AI into a full-stack developer with both backend (LSP) and frontend (browser) control - **Vision**: Complete development ecosystem with real-time dashboard, multi-AI collaboration concepts - **Approach**: Dual architecture with VSCode extension + standalone MCP server ### Serena - **Focus**: Semantic code retrieval and editing toolkit for LLMs - **Vision**: LLM-agnostic coding agent toolkit - **Approach**: Flexible integration via MCP or tool calling ## Architecture Comparison ### Token Saver MCP ``` AI ←→ MCP Server (9700) ←→ VSCode Gateway (9600) ←→ VSCode Internals ←→ Chrome/Edge (CDP) ``` - Split architecture for stability and hot-reload development - VSCode extension required for deep IDE integration - Browser control via Chrome DevTools Protocol ### Serena - Direct language server integration - No VSCode extension required - Multiple integration paths (MCP, tool calling, agent frameworks) ## Tool Coverage ### Token Saver MCP (31 tools) - **14 LSP tools**: Complete VSCode LSP access - `get_definition`, `get_references`, `get_hover`, `get_completions` - `rename_symbol`, `find_implementations`, `get_diagnostics` - And 7 more comprehensive LSP operations - **8 CDP browser tools**: Full browser automation - `navigate_browser`, `execute_in_browser`, `take_screenshot` - `click_element`, `type_in_browser`, `get_browser_console` - Complete frontend testing capabilities - **5 Testing helpers**: High-level testing workflows - `test_react_component`, `test_api_endpoint`, `test_form_validation` - `check_page_performance`, `debug_javascript_error` - **4 System tools**: Infrastructure and support - `get_instructions`, `retrieve_buffer`, `get_buffer_stats`, `get_supported_languages` ### Serena - **Focused LSP tools**: - `find_symbol` - Semantic symbol search - `find_referencing_symbols` - Find all references - `insert_after_symbol` - Precise code insertion - **Semantic operations**: Symbol-level code extraction and manipulation - No browser automation capabilities ## Unique Strengths ### Token Saver MCP Strengths ✅ **Browser automation** - Complete CDP integration for frontend testing ✅ **Real-time dashboard** - Live metrics at `/dashboard` ✅ **Multi-AI collaboration** - Simultaneous connections, dedicated endpoints ✅ **VSCode deep integration** - Access to all VSCode internals ✅ **Hot-reload development** - Change tools without restarting ✅ **Comprehensive testing** - Frontend + backend in one system ✅ **Performance monitoring** - Token savings, response times, cost tracking ✅ **Future vision** - AI collaboration, genetic algorithms, persistent sessions ### Serena Strengths ✅ **LLM agnostic** - Works with any LLM, not tied to specific providers ✅ **No VSCode dependency** - Works with any editor/IDE with LSP ✅ **Lightweight** - Focused toolkit without extra overhead ✅ **Multiple integration methods** - Flexible deployment options ✅ **Direct symbol manipulation** - `insert_after_symbol` for precise edits ✅ **Portability** - Easy to deploy across different environments ✅ **Simplicity** - Clean, focused API without feature creep ## Trade-offs ### Token Saver MCP Trade-offs - ❌ Requires VSCode (gateway extension) - ❌ More complex setup (dual architecture) - ❌ Heavier footprint (dashboard, browser control, etc.) - ✅ Complete full-stack development environment - ✅ Extensive tool coverage for all scenarios ### Serena Trade-offs - ❌ No browser automation - ❌ No dashboard/metrics - ❌ Fewer LSP operations available - ❌ No testing utilities - ✅ Simpler, more portable architecture - ✅ Editor independence ## Performance Comparison | Metric | Token Saver MCP | Serena | |--------|-----------------|---------| | Token Efficiency | 90-99% reduction | High efficiency | | Response Time | <100ms average | Fast | | Browser Operations | 0.5ms (Edge optimized) | N/A | | Setup Complexity | Medium (VSCode ext + server) | Low | | Resource Usage | Higher (dashboard, CDP) | Lower | ## Best Use Cases ### Token Saver MCP is best when you need: - **Full-stack development** - Backend code + frontend browser control - **Browser testing and automation** - Automated UI testing, screenshots, console access - **VSCode as primary IDE** - Deep integration with VSCode features - **Real-time metrics** - Dashboard for monitoring performance and savings - **Multi-AI collaboration** - Multiple AIs working together - **Comprehensive ecosystem** - All development tools in one platform - **Future-proof features** - AI collaboration, persistent sessions, evolutionary optimization ### Serena is best when you need: - **Editor independence** - Not tied to VSCode - **LLM flexibility** - Works with any AI provider - **Lightweight operations** - Minimal overhead - **Simple code manipulation** - Focused semantic operations - **Portability** - Easy deployment across environments - **Direct LSP access** - Without additional layers - **Minimal setup** - Quick to get started ## Integration Approaches ### Token Saver MCP - MCP protocol endpoint: `http://127.0.0.1:9700/mcp` - Gemini endpoint: `http://127.0.0.1:9700/mcp-gemini` - REST endpoint: `http://127.0.0.1:9700/mcp/simple` - Dashboard: `http://127.0.0.1:9700/dashboard` ### Serena - MCP server mode - Tool calling mode - Direct integration with agent frameworks - Flexible adapter pattern ## Future Roadmap Comparison ### Token Saver MCP - Multi-AI collaboration platform - Shared context repositories - Persistent collaboration sessions - Genetic algorithm optimization - Expanded browser automation - Plugin ecosystem ### Serena - Additional language support - More semantic operations - Enhanced symbol manipulation - Framework integrations ## Summary **Token Saver MCP** is a comprehensive development platform that transforms AI into a full-stack developer with complete control over both code and browsers. It provides an entire ecosystem including dashboards, multi-AI support, browser automation, and deep VSCode integration. It's ideal for users who want a complete, feature-rich development environment centered around VSCode. **Serena** is a focused, portable toolkit for semantic code operations that works across different LLMs and editors. It excels at being a clean, lightweight, LLM-agnostic solution for code manipulation without the overhead of additional features. It's perfect for users who need flexibility and simplicity. Both tools leverage LSP for token efficiency, but they serve different philosophies: - **Token Saver MCP**: "Everything you need for AI-powered full-stack development" - **Serena**: "Do one thing well - semantic code operations" The choice between them depends on your specific needs: - Choose **Token Saver MCP** for a complete development environment with browser automation - Choose **Serena** for lightweight, portable semantic code operations Both projects are open source and actively developed, representing different but valid approaches to enhancing AI coding capabilities through LSP integration.