# GIMP Studio MCP

Hands your assistant a set of image-editing tools inside GIMP 3, including a workflow for print and DTF transfer jobs.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI
- Author: TwelveTake-Studios
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/TwelveTake-Studios/gimp-studio-mcp
- Updated: 2026-10-20
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/gimp-studio-mcp

## What it does

The server bridges an AI client and GIMP 3, exposing 119 tools split into 13 groups: layers, masks, selections, text, colour work, filters and analysis. A raw `gimp_exec` escape hatch stays available, and its output gets captured. Every call answers with a structured result that carries errors, and `get_bitmap` returns a preview the model can look at to check its own work.

Print and DTF production runs through the whole thing. Tools handle physical sizes at print resolution, knock the garment colour out from behind artwork, add a white underbase with a choked edge, and write a transparent PNG for film. Checkpoints let you roll back before something destructive happens. Live GIMP with a visible canvas and headless mode behave the same way.

You need GIMP 3.x and Python 3.10+ for the server. The GIMP side is a separate piece: run `gimp-mcp install-plugin` to copy the bridge in, otherwise there is nothing for the server to talk to. The project is in beta and tested against GIMP 3.2.4.

## Requirements
- Needs: Python and uv (commands run via uvx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add gimp-studio-mcp -- uvx twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp <command>

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add gimp-studio-mcp -- uvx twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp <command>

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "gimp-studio-mcp": {
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp <command>

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "gimp-studio-mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp <command>

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add gimp-studio-mcp uvx twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from twelvetake-gimp-studio-mcp <command>

## When to use it
- knock a shirt colour out from behind artwork
- export a 300 DPI transparent PNG for film
- choke the edge of a white underbase
- lay out repeated designs on one gang sheet
- roll back a bad edit to a checkpoint

## Example prompts
- Open `logo.png` and report its layers and dimensions
- Remove the black shirt colour behind this artwork and export a transparent PNG at 300 DPI
- Take a checkpoint, then trim the image to its content

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