Server facts
Photoshop MCP Server
Project
- Author
- loonghao
- License
- MIT
- Category
- Design & Creative
Tech
- Runtime / language
- pythonPython
- Transports
- stdio
- Remote available
- No
- Authentication
- Not specified
Activity
- GitHub stars
- 312
- Last commit
- Data as of
Tags
- Image Editing
- Photoshop
- Python
- Windows
Overview
Photoshop MCP Server connects an MCP host to Adobe Photoshop through photoshop-python-api. It gives assistants a way to perform document and layer work inside the actual desktop application rather than handling images solely as external files. The README describes creating, opening, and saving documents, manipulating text and solid-color layers, inspecting the current session, and applying image effects or adjustments. It also exposes resources for application information, the active document, and that document's layers. Example conversations illustrate creating a document with text and examining the structure of an existing PSD.
The central deployment constraint is platform support. Communication relies on Windows COM interfaces, so the project explicitly excludes macOS and Linux. Photoshop must be installed locally; the README reports testing versions from CC2017 through 2024. Python 3.10 or newer is required, and the host configuration can choose a specific Python version through uvx. The PS_VERSION environment variable identifies the Photoshop release to connect to. Configuration examples cover Claude Desktop, Windsurf, Cline, and other MCP hosts using the same command pattern. The package is MIT licensed. This is therefore a bridge for Windows users who already have Photoshop available and want conversational control over document operations, not a portable or Photoshop-free image-processing service.
Install & configure
Requirements
- Windows
- Locally installed Adobe Photoshop
- Python 3.10+
- uv / uvx for the recommended configuration
uvx --python 3.10 photoshop-mcp-serverThe README reports testing Photoshop CC2017 through 2024. macOS and Linux are not supported. Set PS_VERSION to the local release you intend to control.
Examples are translated from the published configuration. Supply your own credentials and verify requirements in the upstream README. Remote connectors are shown only where a supported configuration format is known.
Config file · macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Use Settings → Developer → Edit Config when available. Do not assume a Linux configuration path; check the client documentation for your platform. Remote servers use the app’s connector flow when supported, not the local stdio file shown here. Merge this example with existing settings; do not overwrite unrelated servers.
{
"mcpServers": {
"photoshop-python-api-mcp-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--python",
"3.10",
"photoshop-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PS_VERSION": "<Installed Photoshop version, such as 2024>"
}
}
}
}Config file · Project: .cursor/mcp.json
User: ~/.cursor/mcp.json
The project path is relative to the workspace root. The tilde denotes your user home directory. Use Cursor’s MCP settings to confirm which configuration and scope your installed version is reading. Merge this example with existing settings; do not overwrite unrelated servers.
{
"mcpServers": {
"photoshop-python-api-mcp-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--python",
"3.10",
"photoshop-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PS_VERSION": "<Installed Photoshop version, such as 2024>"
}
}
}
}Config file · Workspace: .vscode/mcp.json
For user scope, use the “MCP: Open User Configuration” command if available. Do not guess a user configuration path across operating systems, profiles, containers, or remote workspaces; check the client documentation. Merge this example with existing settings; do not overwrite unrelated servers.
{
"servers": {
"photoshop-python-api-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--python",
"3.10",
"photoshop-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PS_VERSION": "<Installed Photoshop version, such as 2024>"
}
}
}
}Config file · macOS/Linux: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json
Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json
Open the MCP configuration through Windsurf’s settings when possible to confirm the active file. Paths can differ in managed or future releases; check the client documentation if this location is not present. Merge this example with existing settings; do not overwrite unrelated servers.
{
"mcpServers": {
"photoshop-python-api-mcp-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--python",
"3.10",
"photoshop-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PS_VERSION": "<Installed Photoshop version, such as 2024>"
}
}
}
}Config file · Project scope: .mcp.json at the repository root
The project file uses mcpServers. For user scope, use claude mcp add --scope user rather than assuming .mcp.json in your home directory is the user configuration. Check the client documentation for managed settings and storage details. Merge this example with existing settings; do not overwrite unrelated servers.
{
"mcpServers": {
"photoshop-python-api-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--python",
"3.10",
"photoshop-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"PS_VERSION": "<Installed Photoshop version, such as 2024>"
}
}
}
}Examples are translated from the published configuration. Supply your own credentials and verify requirements in the upstream README. Remote connectors are shown only where a supported configuration format is known.
Tools
Source: repository README. Tool descriptions are a documented snapshot, not a live capability check.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| create_document | Create a new document in Photoshop. |
| create_text_layer | Add a text layer to a Photoshop document. |
Names, permissions, and defaults can change. Check the current upstream documentation before granting access.
Use cases
- Create a Photoshop document and add a text layer.
- Inspect the layers of an open PSD.
- Save documents through an assistant workflow.
- Build image compositions using layer and adjustment operations.
Strengths
- Controls an existing Photoshop installation through its Python API.
- Exposes document, layer, and session information.
- Documents a uvx configuration for multiple MCP hosts.
Limitations
- Runs only on Windows because of COM dependencies.
- Requires Photoshop to be installed locally.
Frequently asked questions
Independent listing, not an affiliation or security review. Grant the least access needed and verify the upstream instructions before running code.
