# illustrator-mcp-server

An MCP server that lets your assistant read and edit Adobe Illustrator documents: pull layout data, run pre-press checks, export assets.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed · ★ 179
- Author: ie3jp
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/ie3jp/illustrator-mcp-server
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/illustrator-mcp-server

## What it does

The server hands the agent 66 tools for the Illustrator document you have open. Some only read: artboard structure, text styles, colours, dimensions. Others change the document. The author says the set goes past Adobe's own Illustrator MCP in beta.

You run it through `npx`, so Node.js 20+ is required. A Claude plugin variant bundles the same server plus a pre-press preflight skill. One catch: if the server was already added with `claude mcp add`, remove it first with `claude mcp remove illustrator-mcp`, otherwise two copies start at once.

Illustrator 2024 (v28) and later are verified. On 2020–2023 the author expects things to work, yet those releases are untested, and tools come back with a warning. Anything older than 2020 is refused. On macOS the first launch needs automation permission in System Settings. Files stay protected unless you ask otherwise: overwriting and closing without saving only happen when you pass the explicit flag.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add illustrator-mcp-server -- npx -y illustrator-mcp-server
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add illustrator-mcp-server -- npx -y illustrator-mcp-server
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "illustrator-mcp-server": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "illustrator-mcp-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "illustrator-mcp-server": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "illustrator-mcp-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add illustrator-mcp-server npx -y illustrator-mcp-server
```

## When to use it
- pull colours and dimensions out of a layout for the front end
- check a file for print readiness before handoff
- export artboards as image assets without clicking through menus
- switch the agent to another installed Illustrator version mid-chat
- save a document copy without touching the original

## Example prompts
- List every artboard in the open document and its size
- Give me a report on the colours and fonts used in this layout
- Export the logo artboard as PNG and don't overwrite the existing file

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