mcp-gimp3-demo

paolodalprato/mcp-gimp3-demo

3.2

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This project demonstrates how to connect Claude Desktop to GIMP using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), enabling natural language control over image editing tasks.

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MCP GIMP3 Demo

A demo project showing how to connect Claude Desktop to GIMP using the Model Context Protocol (MCP)

License: MIT Python 3.8+ GIMP 3.0

What Is This?

This is a demonstration project showing how you can use Claude Code to build your own MCP connectors for desktop applications.

The project connects Claude Desktop to GIMP, allowing you to control image editing through natural language:

You: "Increase brightness by 5 points in photo.jpg"
Claude: [adjusts brightness]
You: [Manually refine in GIMP]
You: "upscale photo.jpg"

This is not a production-ready tool - it's meant to demonstrate the concept and serve as a starting point for your own MCP integrations.

Architecture

Claude Desktop
      |
      v
  MCP Server (Python, this project)
      |
      v
  Bridge Plugin (runs inside GIMP)
      |
      v
     GIMP

The MCP Server communicates with a Python plugin that runs inside GIMP, executing commands in real-time.

Quick Start

1. Install the MCP Server

git clone https://github.com/paolodalprato/mcp-gimp3-demo.git
cd mcp-gimp3-demo
pip install -e .

2. Install the GIMP Plugin

Copy the bridge plugin to GIMP's plugin folder:

Windows:

Copy: gimp_mcp_bridge/ folder
To: %APPDATA%\GIMP\3.0\plug-ins\

Linux/macOS:

Copy: gimp_mcp_bridge/ folder
To: ~/.config/GIMP/3.0/plug-ins/

3. Configure Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gimp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/gimp-mcp-server/start_gimp_mcp.py"]
    }
  }
}

See for detailed configuration instructions.

4. Start GIMP Bridge

  1. Open GIMP
  2. Go to: Filters → MCP → MCP Bridge Server...
  3. Leave the dialog open

5. Test

In Claude Desktop:

Check GIMP connection

Available Tools

ToolDescription
gimp_health_checkCheck connection status
gimp_open_imageOpen an image file
gimp_list_imagesList open images
gimp_create_imageCreate new blank image
gimp_resize_imageResize/scale image
gimp_adjust_brightness_contrastAdjust brightness/contrast

Project Structure

gimp-mcp-server/
├── src/gimp_mcp/          # MCP server code
│   ├── server.py          # Main MCP server
│   ├── bridge_client.py   # Communication with GIMP
│   └── tools/             # Tool definitions
├── start_gimp_mcp.py      # Entry point
└── pyproject.toml         # Package configuration

The GIMP plugin (gimp_mcp_bridge.py) needs to be installed separately in GIMP's plugin folder.

About This Demo

This project demonstrates that connecting Claude to desktop applications via MCP is possible and practical.

The goal is to show this is possible, not to provide a production-ready solution. If you're a GIMP power user and want a full-featured integration, use this as a starting point and build on it.

Building Your Own MCP Connector

Use this project as a template to connect Claude to other applications:

  1. Study the architecture: MCP Server → Bridge → Application
  2. Adapt the bridge: Replace GIMP-specific code with your application's API
  3. Define tools: Create tool definitions that match your application's capabilities
  4. Test iteratively: Use Claude Code to help you debug and improve

License

MIT License - see file.

Acknowledgments