GIMP

GIMP MCP server

python

58

GitHub Stars

python

Language

6 months ago

First Indexed

2 months ago

Catalog Refreshed

Documentation & install

Readme and setup notes from the catalogue, plus a client-ready config you can copy for your MCP host.

Installation

Add the following to your MCP client configuration file.

Configuration

View docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "maorcc-gimp-mcp": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--directory",
        "/full/path/to/gimp-mcp",
        "gimp_mcp_server.py"
      ]
    }
  }
}

You can operate GIMP through a dedicated MCP server that translates conversational requests into precise GIMP actions. This setup enables you to edit images using natural language, accelerates complex workflows, and lets AI assistants interact with GIMP in a structured, programmable way.

How to use

To use the GIMP MCP server, you run the local MCP process and connect an MCP client (such as Claude Desktop, Gemini CLI, or PydanticAI). Start GIMP with an open image, launch the MCP server, and then issue natural language commands. The server exposes GIMP operations as tools that your client can call, enabling tasks from simple adjustments to multi-step creative workflows.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before installing the MCP server:

GIMP 3.0 or newer installed
Python 3.8 or newer
uv (a modern Python package tool) available in your environment

Step-by-step installation and setup:

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/maorcc/gimp-mcp.git
cd gimp-mcp

# 2. Install Python dependencies via uv
uv sync

Additional notes

Install the GIMP plugin so the MCP server can control GIMP from this environment. Place the plugin in your GIMP plug-ins directory and ensure it is executable. You restart GIMP after installation to enable the plugin.

Start the MCP server from within GIMP after opening an image: go to Tools > Start MCP Server. The server will listen on localhost:9877 and await client connections.

Configuration and next steps

Configure your MCP client by pointing it at the local MCP server. The following example shows how to connect Claude Desktop to the local server. You provide a command that launches the MCP server from the project directory using uv.

Troubleshooting basics

If you encounter issues, verify the MCP server is running and reachable on the expected port, ensure GIMP is open with an image, and confirm the plugin is correctly installed and executable. If export or communication errors occur, the server includes multiple fallback methods to improve reliability.

Available tools

get_image_bitmap

Returns the current image as a base64-encoded PNG bitmap, with optional region extraction and scaling.

get_image_metadata

Fetches comprehensive metadata about the current image without transferring bitmap data.

get_gimp_info

Retrieves information about the installed GIMP environment and capabilities.

get_context_state

Returns the current GIMP context state, including colors, brush, opacity, and other settings.

call_api

Executes any GIMP 3.0 PyGObject command through the API surface.

Create new images and layers

Create new canvases and layers; supports drawing and editing workflows.

Draw shapes and selections

Provide support for drawing shapes, lines, and selections as part of an editing workflow.

Apply filters and effects

Apply a variety of filters and visual effects to enhance or alter imagery.

Adjust colors and brightness

Modify color properties, brightness, contrast, and related attributes.

Text and annotations

Add and edit text and annotations on images.

Copy/paste between images

Move content across images with copy and paste operations.

Export images in multiple formats

Export the current image in PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF with quality controls.