Illustrator MCP Server — Claude Code MCP server setup
Controls Adobe Illustrator from MCP assistants to generate vector graphics, edit typography, manage swatches and export artboards. Useful for automated design workflows.
claude mcp add --env ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME=<ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME> --env ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS=<ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio illustrator -- npx -y adobe-mcp-illustratorWhat Illustrator MCP Server does
The server interfaces with Adobe Illustrator via ExtendScript, bridging the assistant directly to document trees, artboards, layers, and vector geometry. Available tools handle primitive shape generation, pathfinder operations, gradient styling, and detailed font attributes. Canvas coordinates use standard points. They measure downward from the top-left corner of the active artboard, avoiding manual origin conversion.
Setup requires an installed Adobe Illustrator 2023 or newer on macOS or Windows, alongside Node.js 18+. On macOS, the operating system asks to grant automation rights under Privacy & Security during the initial request. Without this permission, scripts fail. File read and write access remains restricted to user home directories unless additional paths are defined in ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS.
What it helps with
- generate vector shapes and grids using point measurements
- batch-format typography and replace missing typefaces
- create swatches across CMYK, RGB, or spot color profiles
- organize layers, path groupings, and artboard layouts
Example prompts for the agent
- Create an Illustrator document in CMYK mode and draw a centered blue rectangle.
- Find all text frames on artboard 0 and set their font size to 16 pt.
- Save each artboard from the current file into an individual EPS file.
How to install Illustrator MCP Server
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME=<ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME> --env ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS=<ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio illustrator -- npx -y adobe-mcp-illustratorReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add illustrator --env ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME=<ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME> --env ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS=<ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> -- npx -y adobe-mcp-illustratorReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"illustrator": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"adobe-mcp-illustrator"
],
"env": {
"ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME": "<ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME>",
"ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS": "<ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS>",
"ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS": "<ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"illustrator": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"adobe-mcp-illustrator"
],
"env": {
"ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME": "<ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME>",
"ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS": "<ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS>",
"ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS": "<ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME=<ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME> -e ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS=<ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS> -e ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<ILLUSTRATOR_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> illustrator npx -y adobe-mcp-illustratorReplace <…> 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 Illustrator MCP Server
How to install Illustrator MCP Server in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add adobe-mcp-illustrator -- npx -y adobe-mcp-illustrator in your terminal. For custom setups, include --env flags to configure ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS or ILLUSTRATOR_APP_NAME.
What does Illustrator MCP Server do?
It lets MCP clients execute operations directly inside Adobe Illustrator via ExtendScript. This enables models to manipulate documents, draw paths, format text blocks, assign swatches, and trigger exports.
What are the system requirements for this MCP server?
You need Adobe Illustrator 2023 or later running on Windows or macOS, plus Node.js 18 or above. File system tasks are confined to your user home folder unless widened via ILLUSTRATOR_ALLOWED_DIRS.
