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Side-by-side MCP evidence comparison
Evidence fieldQiskit IBM Runtime MCP ServerShortlist candidateExa MCPMCP100 Recommended
Task fit
Best for
  • Operate IBM Quantum Runtime jobs and inspect quantum hardware from MCP clients
  • Operate IBM Quantum Runtime jobs and inspect quantum hardware from MCP clients.
  • Search the web, retrieve pages, find code, and run research workflows through Exa.
  • Teams already using Exa that can test with non-sensitive data and least privilege.
Not ideal for
  • Submitting Sampler/Estimator jobs can consume limited quantum resources or paid plan capacity. Job cancellation and deletion of saved account credentials are consequential actions and should require explicit human confirmation.
  • Users who need an MCP100-recommended recommendation today
  • Unattended production workflows before permissions and failure behavior are reviewed
Avoid when
  • Submitting Sampler/Estimator jobs can consume limited quantum resources or paid plan capacity. Job cancellation and deletion of saved account credentials are consequential actions and should require explicit human confirmation.
  • The connected data or account cannot be safely exposed to the selected AI client
  • You cannot verify least-privilege access and review write-capable tool calls
Provenance
Provenance details

Ecosystem official

Qiskit / IBM Quantum · Publisher source ↗

First-party MCP

Exa · Publisher source ↗

Maintenance
Maintenance details

Repo: Not documented

Package: Not documented

Repo: Sep 23, 2026

Package: Sep 21, 2026

Popularity evidence
GitHub starsNot documented

5,045

GitHub stars · checked 2026-09-24T04:14:16.246000Z

Package downloads / 30 days

863

package downloads / 30 days · checked 2026-10-20

248,026

package downloads / 30 days · checked 2026-09-24T04:17:39.104000Z

Shared repository stars

41

Shared repository stars (not MCP-specific) · checked 2026-10-20

Not documented
External adoption evidenceNot documented
  • npm: package downloads: 87,547Exact attributable signal.npm: package downloads · Rolling 30 days · checked 2026-08-14T18:46:26.000ZEvidence source ↗
Client coverage
Client coverage detailsNot documented
Claude Code✓ Streamable HTTP
Claude Desktop✓ Streamable HTTP
Codex✓ Streamable HTTP
VS Code✓ Streamable HTTP
Cursor✓ Streamable HTTP
OpenCode✓ Streamable HTTP
Client coverage noteLocal stdio runs on your computer. Streamable HTTP connects to a remotely hosted MCP server.
Access and data
AuthenticationIBM Quantum API token or previously saved Qiskit IBM Runtime credentials.Authentication follows the publisher's documented endpoint or local-server configuration. OAuth scopes, API-key handling, and revocation behavior remain review items.
CostSubmitting Runtime jobs can consume IBM Quantum plan, quota, or paid capacity depending on the account.No MCP100 cost conclusion is published yet. The publisher's account plan, API usage, infrastructure, or per-action charges may apply.
PermissionsOperations run under the authenticated IBM Quantum account/instance and its available backend/job permissions.Exact permissions and the read/write boundary have not yet completed MCP100 independent review; consult the linked publisher sources and use the narrowest available scope.
Data handlingCircuit/job requests and results are sent to and retrieved from IBM Quantum Runtime services.Publisher-accessible account or application data may be returned to the MCP client and its selected model. Retention and subprocess behavior require candidate-specific review.
Limitations
Tradeoffs
  • Shortlist evidence is sufficient for identity, setup and task value; authenticated runtime tool-schema measurement and exhaustive security certification remain out of scope.
  • First-party provenance and a clear task improve confidence, but do not replace an independent permissions and usability review.
  • Client transport compatibility does not prove that authentication, scopes, failure handling, and every tool behave safely.
Risk contextThe MCP can submit Estimator/Sampler jobs, consume scarce or paid quantum resources, cancel jobs, and delete locally saved account credentials.Use a test workspace or non-production account, least privilege, read-only controls where available, explicit approval for mutations, and credential revocation after evaluation.
Evidence date
Editorial review2026-10-192026-07-24
Candidate evidence2026-10-202026-09-24T04:25:05.554391Z

Popularity, maintenance, fit, permissions, and client support are independent evidence fields.

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