# fcp-mcp — Final Cut Pro MCP Server

An MCP server that reads, builds and edits FCPXML, then hands verified files to Final Cut Pro. Useful when you want timeline changes driven from a chat.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 11
- Author: dreliq9
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/dreliq9/fcp-mcp
- Updated: 2026-10-12
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/fcp-mcp-final-cut-pro-mcp-server

## What it does

In the `full` profile fcp-mcp exposes 97 tools across 14 categories. Under the hood sits an FCPXML parser that turns files into an object tree, a transactional XML writer, rational-arithmetic timecode handling, pacing and flash-frame analysis, a project generator, a character puppet system and an A/B timeline diff. Live Final Cut Pro control runs through a separate AppleScript bridge, and media inspection goes through an ffprobe wrapper.

Pick a profile with `FCP_MCP_PROFILE`. The default is `workflow` — 34 tools that keep edits on the inspect, prepare, review, hash-approval, commit path. `inspect` gives 30 read-only tools, `edit` gives 76 with direct offline mutation, `full` gives 97. Live control stays off unless you set `FCP_MCP_ENABLE_LIVE_CONTROL=1`; choosing `full` does not turn it on.

You need Python 3.10+ and macOS 15.6 or later with Final Cut Pro installed. The `media_*` tools require FFmpeg on `$PATH` and will not run without it. Apple Compressor matters only for `compressor_*`. Run `fcp-mcp doctor` to check readiness: exit 0 means ready, 1 means optional capabilities are degraded, 2 means configuration blocks required runtime behavior.

## Requirements
- Needs: Python and uv (commands run via uvx)
- Environment variables: `FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR` — keys and tokens: ask the human for the values, never commit them or put them in shared files.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add --env FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR=<FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR> --transport stdio fcp-mcp-final-cut-pro-mcp-server -- uvx fcp-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from fcp-mcp <command>

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add fcp-mcp-final-cut-pro-mcp-server --env FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR=<FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR> -- uvx fcp-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from fcp-mcp <command>

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "fcp-mcp-final-cut-pro-mcp-server": {
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "fcp-mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR": "<FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from fcp-mcp <command>

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "fcp-mcp-final-cut-pro-mcp-server": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "fcp-mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR": "<FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from fcp-mcp <command>

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add -e FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR=<FCP_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR> fcp-mcp-final-cut-pro-mcp-server uvx fcp-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from fcp-mcp <command>

## When to use it
- find and repair flash frames in `hero.fcpxml`
- generate a project and timeline programmatically
- compare two timeline versions and spot the differences
- validate FCPXML structure before handing it to an editor
- produce a QC report on clips, roles and markers

## Example prompts
- Find flash frames in `hero.fcpxml` and prepare a fix
- Show me the diff between the two timeline versions
- Generate a project from the clip plan and validate its structure

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