Pictory MCP Server - Desktop Extension

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation for the Pictory AI video creation platform, now available as a Desktop Extension (.dxt) for one-click installation in Claude Desktop and other compatible applications.

🚀 Installation Options

Choose your preferred installation method:

Option 1: Desktop Extension (Recommended)

⚠️ Important: Make sure you have the latest version of Claude Desktop installed. Desktop Extensions require Claude Desktop v0.10.0 or higher. Download the latest version here.

1. Download the latest .dxt file: pictory-mcp-server.dxt
2. Double-click the downloaded .dxt file
3. Click "Install" in Claude Desktop
4. Configure your Pictory API credentials in the extension settings

The extension will automatically handle dependency management and configuration!

🔧 Configuration

After installing the extension, you'll be prompted to configure these settings:

• Client ID: Your Pictory API Client ID
• Client Secret: Your Pictory API Client Secret
• User ID: Your Pictory User ID
• API Base URL: (Optional) Defaults to https://api.pictory.ai/pictoryapis/v1

💡 Get your API credentials from your Pictory Developer Account

✨ Features

This MCP server provides 9 powerful tools to interact with the Pictory API:

• create-storyboard: Create a storyboard from a script
• poll-storyboard-job-status: Monitor storyboard creation progress
• get-storyboard-preview: Get preview URL for completed storyboards
• render-video: Start video rendering from a storyboard
• poll-video-job-status: Monitor video rendering progress
• get-rendered-video-url: Get the final video URL
• get-all-video-templates: Get all available video templates
• get-video-template-detail: Get details of a specific video template
• create-storyboard-from-template: Create a storyboard using a template

Option 2: Traditional MCP Installation

For users who prefer manual MCP server configuration:

Global Installation

npm install -g @pictory/pictory-mcp-server

Direct Usage

npx @pictory/pictory-mcp-server

Claude Desktop Configuration

Add to your Claude Desktop configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pictory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@pictory/pictory-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "PICTORY_API_BASE_URL": "https://api.pictory.ai/pictoryapis/v1",
        "PICTORY_CLIENT_ID": "your_client_id",
        "PICTORY_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_client_secret",
        "PICTORY_USER_ID": "your_user_id"
      }
    }
  }
}

🎬 Usage Examples

Create a Marketing Video

User: Create a video with three scenes: "Welcome to our new product", "Here's how it works", and "Get started today"

Claude: I'll create a marketing video for you using Pictory. Let me start by creating a storyboard with your script.

[Claude uses create-storyboard tool with your script]

Use a Video Template

User: Show me available video templates and create a video using one

Claude: I'll first get all available templates, then help you create a video using one.

[Claude uses get-all-video-templates, then create-storyboard-from-template]

🛠️ API Tools Reference

create-storyboard

Creates a storyboard from a script.

Parameters:

• script (required): Array of strings containing the voice-over text for each scene
• title (optional): Video title (defaults to first 100 characters of first scene)
• voice (optional): Voice to use (default: "Amanda")
• width (optional): Video width in pixels (default: 1920)
• height (optional): Video height in pixels (default: 1080)

Returns: Job ID for the storyboard creation

poll-storyboard-job-status

Polls the status of a storyboard job until completion.

Parameters:

• jobId (required): The job ID from create-storyboard

Returns: Job completion status and preview availability

get-storyboard-preview

Gets the preview URL from a completed storyboard job.

Parameters:

• jobId (required): The job ID from create-storyboard

Returns: Preview URL if available

render-video

Starts video rendering from a completed storyboard.

Parameters:

• storyboardJobId (required): The job ID from a completed storyboard

Returns: Job ID for the video rendering

poll-video-job-status

Polls the status of a video rendering job until completion.

Parameters:

• jobId (required): The job ID from render-video

Returns: Job completion status and video URL availability

get-rendered-video-url

Gets the video URL from a completed video rendering job.

Parameters:

• jobId (required): The job ID from render-video

Returns: Final video URL if available

get-all-video-templates

Gets all available video templates from Pictory.

Parameters: None

Returns: List of all video templates with their IDs, names, and descriptions

get-video-template-detail

Gets detailed information about a specific video template.

Parameters:

• templateId (required): The ID of the video template

Returns: Detailed template information including variables and structure

create-storyboard-from-template

Creates a storyboard using an existing video template.

Parameters:

• templateId (required): The ID of the video template to use
• templateVariables (required): Object containing template variables to replace

Returns: Job ID for the storyboard creation

🔄 Complete Video Workflow

1. Create a storyboard:

// Tool: create-storyboard
{
  "script": [
    "Welcome to our amazing product demo.",
    "Here are the key features that make us special.",
    "Thank you for watching!"
  ],
  "title": "Product Demo Video",
  "voice": "Amanda"
}

2. Wait for storyboard completion and get preview:

// Tool: poll-storyboard-job-status
{ "jobId": "storyboard-job-123" }

// Tool: get-storyboard-preview
{ "jobId": "storyboard-job-123" }

3. Render the final video:

// Tool: render-video
{ "storyboardJobId": "storyboard-job-123" }

4. Wait for video completion and get URL:

// Tool: poll-video-job-status
{ "jobId": "video-job-456" }

// Tool: get-rendered-video-url
{ "jobId": "video-job-456" }

🔒 Security & Privacy

• Local Processing: All video creation requests are processed through Pictory's secure API
• Credential Storage: API credentials are securely stored in your system's keychain when using the Desktop Extension
• No Data Retention: This MCP server doesn't store or cache your video content

🐛 Error Handling

The server includes comprehensive error handling for:

• Missing environment variables
• API authentication failures
• Network connectivity issues
• Job timeout scenarios
• Malformed requests

📝 License

See LICENSE.txt for license information.

🆘 Support

• Documentation: GitHub Repository
• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Pictory Support: Pictory Help Center

🌟 Example Claude Interactions

Once configured with Claude Desktop, you can interact with the Pictory MCP server naturally:

Creating a Video from Script

You: Create a video with three scenes: "Welcome to AI video creation", "Pictory makes it simple", and "Start creating today"

Claude: I'll create a video for you using Pictory. Let me start by creating a storyboard with your script.

[Claude uses create-storyboard tool]

Using Templates

You: Show me available video templates and create a promotional video

Claude: I'll first get all available templates to show you the options, then help you create a promotional video.

[Claude uses get-all-video-templates and create-storyboard-from-template tools]

LICENSE

See LICENSE.txt