Photoshop MCP Server — Claude Code MCP server: install
This MCP server lets an agent operate Adobe Photoshop through a client, including documents, layers, selections, adjustments, and exports.
claude mcp add --env PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME=<PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME> --env PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS=<PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio photoshop -- npx -y adobe-mcp-photoshopWhat Photoshop MCP Server does
Photoshop MCP Server runs beside Adobe Photoshop and connects to it through Photoshop’s ExtendScript interface. An MCP client can use it to inspect and change documents, resize images or canvases, work with layers and selections, apply edits and filters, handle type, and save output.
Its tool set includes list_documents, create_layer, select_area, adjust_layers, apply_filter, and save_document. The setup requires Photoshop 2023 or newer plus Node.js 18 or newer, on macOS or Windows.
File access is limited to the home directory and paths listed in PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS, so a file outside those locations will block the operation. On macOS, the first request also needs permission to automate Photoshop in System Settings.
What it helps with
- open and save Photoshop documents
- build and rearrange layer groups
- select image regions and edit pixels
- export images in supported formats
Example prompts for the agent
- List the open Photoshop documents with
list_documents, then create a new document. - Create a layer with
create_layer, change its properties, and place it in a group. - Select an area, apply an adjustment, and save the document with
save_document.
How to install Photoshop MCP Server
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME=<PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME> --env PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS=<PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio photoshop -- npx -y adobe-mcp-photoshopReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add photoshop --env PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME=<PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME> --env PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS=<PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> -- npx -y adobe-mcp-photoshopReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"photoshop": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"adobe-mcp-photoshop"
],
"env": {
"PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME": "<PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME>",
"PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS": "<PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS>",
"PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS": "<PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"photoshop": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"adobe-mcp-photoshop"
],
"env": {
"PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME": "<PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME>",
"PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS": "<PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS>",
"PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS": "<PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME=<PHOTOSHOP_APP_NAME> -e PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS=<PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS> -e PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<PHOTOSHOP_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> photoshop npx -y adobe-mcp-photoshopReplace <…> 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 Photoshop MCP Server
How do I install Photoshop MCP Server in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add adobe-mcp-photoshop -- npx -y adobe-mcp-photoshop.
What does Photoshop MCP Server do?
It gives an MCP client control over Adobe Photoshop through ExtendScript, covering documents, layers, selections, edits, filters, and exports.
What does Photoshop MCP Server require?
Use Photoshop 2023 or newer with Node.js 18 or newer on macOS or Windows. Files must be inside the home directory or a path included in PHOTOSHOP_ALLOWED_DIRS.
