GIMP-MCP

You can connect GIMP to AI models through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to add context-aware image editing capabilities directly in your workflows. This MCP server acts as a bridge between GIMP and AI services, enabling automated tasks like intelligent edits, object-aware operations, and enhanced image processing within GIMP.

How to use

Set up the MCP server locally and connect GIMP through the MCP client workflow. Start the MCP server on your machine, then run the GIMP MCP plugin to establish a live channel between GIMP and AI models. Use the provided AI tools to perform tasks such as object recognition, background handling, upscaling, and style transfers directly inside GIMP.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before starting include GIMP 2.10 or later and Python 3.x. Basic familiarity with Python scripting and GIMP’s plugin architecture will help you integrate the MCP client smoothly.

# 1) Clone the MCP repository
git clone https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers.git
cd servers

# 2) Set up and install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

# 3) Run the MCP server
python mcp_server.py

Configuration and usage notes

To enable the GIMP integration, place the MCP plugin into GIMP’s plug-ins directory and ensure it is executable. After starting the MCP server, restart GIMP to load the plugin and access the AI tools under the Filters > AI Tools menu.

Example workflows you can run after setup include AI-powered background removal and AI-based inpainting. These workflows rely on selecting the region of interest and applying the corresponding AI tool from the Filters > AI Tools menu.

Usage examples

AI-Powered Background Removal: Open an image, then choose Filters > AI Tools > Remove Background. The AI model processes the image and removes the background intelligently.

Image Inpainting with AI: Use selection tools to mark the area needing inpainting, then select Filters > AI Tools > Inpaint Selection. The AI model reconstructs the selected region based on surrounding content.

Human-AI interaction prompts

Object Recognition: Prompt: Identify and select all objects in the image. AI Response: The AI highlights and categorizes each detected object.

Style Transfer: Prompt: Apply Van Gogh’s Starry Night style to the current image. AI Response: The image is transformed to emulate the specified style.

Image Enhancement: Prompt: Enhance the image resolution and reduce noise. AI Response: The AI upscales the image and applies noise reduction techniques.

Available API commands (GIMP MCP integration)

The MCP integration exposes a set of commands you can call from GIMP scripts and plugins to manage images, layers, and text.

Contributing

If you want to contribute to this MCP integration, you typically fork the project, create a feature branch, implement your changes, and open a pull request with a clear description of your feature.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the license text for details.

Available tools

gimp_image_new

Create a new image in GIMP via MCP bridge.

gimp_layer_new

Add a new layer to an image through the MCP-enabled workflow.

gimp_text_layer_new

Create a new text layer using MCP-powered operations.

gimp_file_load

Load an image file with MCP-assisted handling.

gimp_file_save

Save the current image to a file through MCP processing.

gimp_edit_fill

Fill a selection or layer with a specified color via MCP.

gimp_context_set_foreground

Set the foreground color for MCP-driven edits.

gimp_layer_set_offsets

Position a layer within an image using MCP commands.