Universal Screenshot MCP — Claude Code MCP server: how to install
MCP server providing web page captures via Puppeteer and desktop screenshots across macOS, Linux, and Windows.
claude mcp add screenshot-server -- npx -y universal-screenshot-mcpWhat Universal Screenshot MCP does
The server exposes two tools: take_screenshot for web links and take_system_screenshot for desktop environments. The browser workflow runs headless Chromium to capture entire pages or target specific CSS selectors. The desktop tool captures entire screens, defined monitor regions, or individual application windows.
Node.js 18.0.0 or higher is required. macOS relies on built-in screencapture, while Windows runs native PowerShell with .NET System.Drawing. Linux environments demand standalone capture utilities such as maim, scrot, or grim. Run npx universal-screenshot-mcp --doctor to verify your distro packages.
Security guardrails block SSRF and local host lookups unless you explicitly turn on ALLOW_LOCAL. Without external capture binaries installed, Linux system calls will fail immediately.
What it helps with
- capture full web pages through headless Chromium
- snap isolated DOM elements matching a CSS selector
- record desktop windows or monitor regions across operating systems
- delay screen capture by several seconds before taking the shot
Example prompts for the agent
- Take a screenshot of https://example.com at 1920x1080.
- Capture the Safari application window and save the output.
- Take a system screenshot of screen region x 100, y 100, width 800, height 600.
How to install Universal Screenshot MCP
Platform CLI
claude mcp add screenshot-server -- npx -y universal-screenshot-mcpPlatform CLI
codex mcp add universal-screenshot-mcp -- npx -y universal-screenshot-mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"universal-screenshot-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"universal-screenshot-mcp"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"universal-screenshot-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"universal-screenshot-mcp"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add universal-screenshot-mcp npx -y universal-screenshot-mcpStep 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 Universal Screenshot MCP
How to install Universal Screenshot MCP in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add screenshot-server -- npx -y universal-screenshot-mcp. Verify registration with claude mcp list.
What does Universal Screenshot MCP do?
It equips MCP clients with tools to photograph websites via Puppeteer and capture native desktop windows or screen areas across macOS, Linux, and Windows.
What packages does Linux require for desktop screenshots?
You need a CLI capture tool like maim, scrot, or grim, along with xdotool if selecting windows by title. Running npx universal-screenshot-mcp --doctor checks for missing binaries.
