FCPXML MCP

Batch operations and analysis for Final Cut Pro XML files via Claude.

What This Is

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that reads and writes FCPXML files. Claude can analyze your timelines, make batch edits, and generate new sequences.

What This Is NOT

• Not a plugin that runs inside Final Cut Pro
• Not real-time editing — you export XML, modify it, then reimport
• Not a replacement for manual editing when you need visual feedback

The Workflow

┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│  Final Cut Pro  │────▶│   Claude +      │────▶│  Final Cut Pro  │
│  Export XML     │     │   MCP Server    │     │  Import XML     │
└─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘

1. Export from FCP: File → Export XML...
2. Run MCP tools: Analyze, modify, generate via Claude
3. Import back to FCP: File → Import → XML

This is a roundtrip workflow. Each edit cycle requires an export and import.

When To Use This

Good For

Not Ideal For

Quick Start

1. Clone & Install

git clone https://github.com/DareDev256/fcp-mcp-server.git
cd fcp-mcp-server
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

2. Configure Claude Desktop

Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/fcp-mcp-server/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "FCP_PROJECTS_DIR": "/Users/you/Movies"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Export from Final Cut Pro

File → Export XML... (saves as .fcpxml)

4. Use the Tools

Open Claude Desktop and start working with your timeline.

All 32 Tools

Analysis (Read) — 11 tools

QC & Validation — 4 tools

Editing (Write) — 9 tools

Batch Fixes — 3 tools

Generation — 3 tools

Beat Sync — 2 tools

Usage Examples

Timeline Analysis

"Analyze my latest FCP project"
"List all clips shorter than 1 second"
"Extract chapter markers for YouTube description"
"Run a health check on my timeline"

Batch Edits

"Add chapter markers at these timestamps: [list]"
"Trim 2 seconds off the end of every interview clip"
"Add a cross-dissolve between all clips"
"Fix all flash frames by extending previous clips"

Data Export

"Export an EDL for the colorist"
"Generate a CSV of all clips with timecodes"
"List all clips tagged 'interview' with durations"

Automated Assembly

"Create a 3-minute rough cut using clips tagged 'broll'"
"Generate a montage with accelerating pacing"
"Build an A/B roll: interviews as main, broll as cutaways"

Beat Sync

"Import beat markers from beats.json"
"Snap all cuts to the nearest beat"

Project Structure

fcp-mcp-server/
├── server.py              # MCP server (32 tools)
├── fcpxml/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── parser.py          # Read FCPXML → Python + library clip listing
│   ├── writer.py          # Python → FCPXML, batch fixes, gap filling
│   ├── rough_cut.py       # Rough cut, montage, A/B roll generation
│   └── models.py          # Timeline, Clip, Marker, TimeValue, PacingCurve
├── docs/
│   └── specs/             # Design specs and schemas
├── tests/
│   ├── test_parser.py     # Parser tests (8 tests)
│   ├── test_writer.py     # Writer tests (8 tests)
│   └── test_speed_cutting.py  # Speed cutting & montage tests (22 tests)
├── examples/
│   └── sample.fcpxml      # Sample FCPXML for testing
├── requirements.txt
├── pyproject.toml
└── README.md

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• Final Cut Pro 10.4+ (for FCPXML 1.8+)
• Claude Desktop (or any MCP-compatible client)
• mcp package (pip install mcp)

Why This Exists

After directing 350+ music videos, I got tired of repetitive editing tasks:

• Counting cuts manually
• Extracting chapter markers one by one
• Finding flash frames by scrubbing through footage
• Building rough cuts clip by clip

These are batch operations that don't need visual feedback. Export the XML, let Claude handle it, import the result.

Releases

v0.3.0 — Batch Operations & Generation (Latest)

• QC Tools: detect_flash_frames, detect_duplicates, detect_gaps, validate_timeline
• Batch Fixes: fix_flash_frames, rapid_trim, fill_gaps
• Generation: generate_montage with pacing curves, generate_ab_roll for documentary-style edits
• Beat Sync: import_beat_markers, snap_to_beats
• Timeline health scoring (0-100%)
• Flash frame severity levels (critical < 2 frames, warning < 6 frames)
• 32 tools total

v0.2.1 — Library Clip Insertion

• New: list_library_clips — See all source media available for insertion
• New: insert_clip — Add library clips at any position with subclip support
• 21 tools total

v0.2.0 — Timeline Editing

• Write tools: trim_clip, reorder_clips, add_transition, change_speed, delete_clips, split_clip, batch_add_markers
• Generation: auto_rough_cut — Generate rough cuts from keywords
• 19 tools total

v0.1.0 — Initial Release

• Core FCPXML parsing (v1.8 - v1.11)
• Timeline analysis and clip listing
• Marker extraction (chapters, TODOs, standard)
• EDL/CSV export
• 10 tools total

Roadmap

• Core FCPXML parsing
• Timeline analysis tools
• Marker extraction & insertion
• Clip trimming & reordering
• Transition insertion
• Speed changes
• Auto rough cut generation
• EDL/CSV export
• Library clip listing & insertion
• Flash frame detection & auto-fix
• Gap detection & filling
• Timeline validation with health scoring
• Montage generation with pacing curves
• A/B roll documentary-style editing
• Beat marker import & snap-to-beat
• Audio sync detection
• Multi-timeline comparison
• Premiere Pro XML support

Contributing

PRs welcome. If you're a video editor who codes (or a coder who edits), let's build this together.

Credits

Built by @DareDev256 — Former music video director (350+ videos for Chief Keef, Migos, Masicka), now building tools for creators.

License

MIT License — see LICENSE for details.