# Kdenlive MCP Server

An MCP server that lets an AI agent build a Kdenlive project: import clips, edit the timeline, add filters and transitions, render through melt.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 5
- Author: Va1bhav512
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/Va1bhav512/kdenlive-mcp-server
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/kdenlive-mcp-server

## What it does

The server wraps `cli-anything-kdenlive` and exposes its operations as tools an agent can call. Calls go straight through the Python API rather than spawning subprocesses, so session state persists between calls: place a clip on the timeline and the next tool already sees it there. Every change is saved automatically.

Tools are grouped by area: project, bin, timeline, filters, transitions, guides, export and session. Two batch tools stand out. `timeline_build_from_segments` lays out several kept ranges of one clip back to back in a single call, and `clip_reframe_vertical` center-crops a widescreen clip into a vertical frame with a horizontal pan. Export produces XML or renders video through melt.

Python 3.10 or newer is required, along with `uv` for dependency management. Without `uv` installed the server command will not run. Rendering through melt needs melt present on the system.

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

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

### Codex

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

### Cursor

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

### GitHub Copilot

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

### Gemini CLI

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

## When to use it
- cut a long take down to the parts worth keeping
- turn a widescreen clip into a vertical frame for social posts
- apply a filter or transition to a clip without touching the editor by hand
- export a project to XML or render it through melt
- undo a bad edit using the session history

## Example prompts
- Create a project `my_project.kdenlive-cli.json` with the `hd1080p30` profile and import `video.mp4`
- Build the timeline from segments of `clip0`: 0.5 to 1.5 and 3.0 to 4.5 seconds
- Reframe `clip0` for vertical video and render the project

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