Napkin — Claude Code MCP server: text to visuals
Napkin lets an MCP host request diagrams, infographics, and illustrations from Napkin AI. Use it when an agent needs to create a visual and save the result.
claude mcp add --env NAPKIN_API_KEY=<NAPKIN_API_KEY> --env MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> --env NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio napkin -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-napkinWhat Napkin does
The server connects Napkin AI to an MCP host. An agent can submit a visual request, check its progress, then download the finished file. A Napkin AI key must be set as NAPKIN_API_KEY; MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH can point downloads to a workspace directory.
Separate tools handle generation, status checks, and downloads, while another lists the built-in visual styles. Browsing that style catalog needs neither an API key nor a network request. Napkin's API is in developer preview, so its endpoints and behavior can change.
What it helps with
- generate an illustration from a text brief
- create an infographic for a document
- check whether a visual request has finished
- save a generated visual to disk
- browse the built-in style catalog
Example prompts for the agent
- Create an architecture diagram from this description.
- Check the progress of my visual request.
- Download the finished visual to the workspace.
How to install Napkin
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env NAPKIN_API_KEY=<NAPKIN_API_KEY> --env MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> --env NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio napkin -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-napkinReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add napkin --env NAPKIN_API_KEY=<NAPKIN_API_KEY> --env MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> --env NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-napkinReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"napkin": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@mindstone/mcp-server-napkin"
],
"env": {
"NAPKIN_API_KEY": "<NAPKIN_API_KEY>",
"MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH": "<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH>",
"NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS": "<NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"napkin": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@mindstone/mcp-server-napkin"
],
"env": {
"NAPKIN_API_KEY": "<NAPKIN_API_KEY>",
"MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH": "<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH>",
"NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS": "<NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e NAPKIN_API_KEY=<NAPKIN_API_KEY> -e MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> -e NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<NAPKIN_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> napkin npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-napkinReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Napkin
How do I install Napkin in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add mcp-server-napkin -e NAPKIN_API_KEY=<NAPKIN_API_KEY> -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-napkin. Replace <NAPKIN_API_KEY> with your Napkin API key.
What does Napkin do?
It connects an MCP host to Napkin AI for visual generation. Agents can also check request progress and download completed files.
Can I browse Napkin styles without an API key?
Yes. napkin_list_styles returns the built-in style catalog without an API key or network call.
