Final Cut Pro MCP Server
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that provides comprehensive remote control of Final Cut Pro via AppleScript and JXA automation. Supports 99 tools covering editing, AI-powered features, color grading, 360/VR, and more.
Requirements
- macOS 15.6+
- Final Cut Pro 12.0+
- Node.js 18+
- Accessibility permissions for System Events (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility)
Setup
npm install
npm run build
Claude Desktop Configuration
Add to your Claude Desktop claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"finalcutpro": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/finalcutpro-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
Tools (99 total)
Library & Project Inspection
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
get_libraries | Get all open libraries with names, IDs, file paths, and event counts |
get_events | Get all events within a specific library |
get_projects | Get all projects within an event with sequence/timeline details |
Project Management
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
new_library | Create a new library |
new_event | Create a new event in the current library |
new_project | Create a new project |
close_library | Close the current library |
project_properties | Open project properties/settings inspector |
snapshot_project | Create a snapshot (backup) of the current project state |
duplicate_project | Duplicate the current project with different settings |
Playback & Navigation
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
playback | Control playback (play/pause, stop, play from start, selection, fullscreen, reverse, loop) |
navigate | Timeline navigation (jump to start/end, next/previous edit/clip/marker/frame, forward/backward 10 frames) |
set_playback_speed | Set playback speed (0.5x to 32x, forward and reverse) |
go_to_timecode | Navigate to a specific timecode position |
Timeline Editing
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
blade | Cut/split clips at the playhead position |
edit_insert | Insert media (insert, append, overwrite, connect, replace modes) |
delete_selection | Delete clips (ripple delete, replace with gap, selection only) |
clipboard | Copy, cut, paste, paste as connected |
selection | Select all, deselect all, select clip at playhead |
undo_redo | Undo or redo actions |
trim | Trim clip edges (start, end, to playhead, extend edit, join) |
nudge | Nudge clips in any direction |
insert_placeholder | Insert placeholder or gap clip |
create_compound_clip | Create compound clip from selection |
create_storyline | Create/collapse/lift connected storylines |
change_duration | Open change duration dialog |
rename_clip | Rename the selected clip |
detach_audio | Detach audio from video, creating separate clips |
merge_clips | Merge adjacent clips into one |
break_apart_clip | Break apart compound/multicam clips into components |
adjustment_layer | Add an adjustment layer above the current clip |
anchored_storyline | Create and manage anchored storyline spines |
Effects & Transitions
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
add_transition | Add default cross dissolve transition |
add_effect | Add default video or audio effect |
add_color_correction | Add color correction (color board, wheels, curves, HSL, HDR, etc.) |
add_title | Add title (basic title, lower third) |
manage_effects | Copy/paste/remove effects and attributes |
add_mask | Add mask (shape, color, or AI object mask) |
effect_presets | Save and manage color/video/audio effect presets |
AI / Machine Learning Features
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
object_tracking | AI object tracking and segmentation masks using neural networks |
cinematic_editor | AI cinematic mode editor for iPhone Cinematic video focus decisions |
detect_beats | AI automatic beat detection and beat grid for music/audio |
transcribe_to_captions | AI audio-to-captions transcription |
auto_reframe | AI automatic reframing for different aspect ratios |
image_playground | Apple's AI Image Playground for generating/editing images |
Speed / Retiming
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
retime | Change clip speed (slow 50/25/10%, fast 2x/4x/8x, reverse, freeze, hold, ramps, rewind) |
retime_quality | Set retime quality (normal, frame blending, optical flow, ML-based) |
show_retime_editor | Toggle the retime editor panel |
speed_editor | Advanced speed blade, custom speed, and conform speed |
Color Grading
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
color_board | Full color board control (color/exposure/saturation tabs, pucks, nudge, reset) |
color_channels | Change viewer color channel display (all, R, G, B, alpha) |
color_correction_nav | Navigate between corrections, apply from previous clips |
match_color | Match color between clips for consistent grading |
compare_frame | Before/after comparison viewer for color corrections |
Markers & Keywords
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
add_marker | Add marker (standard, to-do, chapter, standard and edit) |
delete_markers | Delete markers (selected or in selection range) |
rate_clip | Rate clips (favorite, unfavorite, reject) |
add_keyword | Apply keyword group (1-9) |
set_role | Set clip role (video, titles, dialogue, music, effects) |
open_keyword_editor | Open keyword editor panel |
Captions & Subtitles
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
captions | Caption operations (create, add/edit, extract, split, resolve overlaps) |
import_captions | Import captions file (SRT, SCC, ITT, etc.) |
export_captions | Export captions from project |
Audio
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
adjust_volume | Adjust volume (up, down, zero, silence) |
solo | Solo/unsolo clip audio |
audio_operations | Enhance audio, match audio, align to video, fades, crossfades |
audio_fade_management | Remove fades, crossfade aligned clips |
Keyframe Animation
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
keyframes | Add, delete, copy, cut, paste keyframes; navigate between keyframes; nudge values |
Variants / Auditions
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
variants | Create, navigate, finalize, and group clip variants/auditions |
Multicam
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
switch_angle | Switch multicam angle (1-16, with cut-and-switch option) |
create_multicam_clip | Create multicam clip from selection |
360 / VR / Spatial Video
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
spatial_video | Stereoscopic modes (left/right eye, anaglyph, difference, superimpose), 360 navigation (tilt, pan, roll), FOV control, horizon display, HMD latching |
Tools & Interface
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
select_tool | Switch editing tool (select, trim, blade, position, hand, zoom, range, crop, distort, transform, cinematic) |
toggle_snapping | Toggle timeline snapping |
toggle_panel | Show/hide panels (inspector, timeline, effects browser, video scopes, audio meters, precision editor, etc.) |
zoom_timeline | Zoom timeline (in, out, fit, fit vertical, subframes) |
window_layout | Switch window layout preset (default, organize, color & effects, dual displays) |
go_to_panel | Navigate focus to a specific panel |
clip_appearance | Change clip display style (title only, waveform, thumbnails, etc.) |
av_edit_mode | Set A/V edit mode (both, video only, audio only) |
timeline_history | Navigate timeline hierarchy (close current, close others, reveal ancestor) |
video_output | Toggle external A/V output for broadcast monitoring |
custom_overlay | Toggle custom overlay display (safe zones, etc.) |
Media Organization
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
reveal_in_finder | Reveal source media in Finder |
transcode_media | Open transcode dialog |
consolidate_files | Consolidate media files |
relink_files | Relink original or proxy media |
analyze_and_fix | Run analyze and fix on clips |
synchronize_clips | Synchronize clips (align audio/video) |
duplicate_detection | Find and navigate duplicate clips, make clips unique |
Import / Export
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
import_media | Open import media dialog |
import_xml | Import FCPXML file (by path or dialog) |
export_xml | Export project/event as FCPXML |
share | Share/export project (default destination or Compressor) |
render | Render timeline (all or selection) |
FCPXML Generation
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
generate_fcpxml | Programmatically generate FCPXML 1.11 with clips, transitions, titles, and effects |
Generic Command Execution
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
execute_menu_command | Execute any FCP menu command by path |
send_shortcut | Send any keyboard shortcut to FCP |
find | Open Find dialog or Find and Replace for titles |
How It Works
The server communicates with Final Cut Pro through three mechanisms:
- JXA (JavaScript for Automation) - Read-only queries for library/event/project inspection via FCP's AppleScript dictionary
- AppleScript with System Events - Menu navigation and keyboard shortcuts for editing operations
- FCPXML - Programmatic timeline creation via FCP's XML interchange format
The server automatically manages FCP focus — it activates FCP before commands that need it and restores the previously focused app afterward.
License
MIT