@trendyvideo/mcp-server

MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that exposes the Trendy Video desktop editor as a toolkit for AI assistants. Connect Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or any MCP-compatible client and let the AI build, edit, and render videos in real time while you watch.

• 41 tools across 3 progressive modes (editor → editor+local → full)
• Stdio transport — no ports, no auth config for local use
• Ships with a rich SKILL.md resource that teaches the AI how to use the editor

Install

npm install -g @trendyvideo/mcp-server

Or run directly without installing:

npx -y @trendyvideo/mcp-server

Requires Node.js 22+.

Quick Start

Claude Desktop

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "trendy-video": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@trendyvideo/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. The Trendy tools will appear in the tool menu.

Claude Code

Add to ~/.claude/settings.json or your project's .claude/settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "trendy-video": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@trendyvideo/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "trendy-video": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@trendyvideo/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Codex CLI

Add to ~/.codex/config.toml:

[mcp_servers.trendy-video]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@trendyvideo/mcp-server"]

Requirements

1. Trendy Desktop must be running and the MCP harness enabled — click the MCP button in the editor toolbar until it shows the green "connected" badge. The server listens on ws://localhost:9847 by default.
2. Node.js 22+ on your machine.
3. An MCP-compatible assistant (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or similar).

If the desktop app isn't running, the MCP server will still start — individual tool calls will retry the connection until the editor is ready.

Tool Modes

The server ships 41 tools, grouped into three progressive tiers. Start narrow and widen as needed — fewer tools means less noise in the AI's context window.

| Mode | Tools | Use when | |---|---:|---| | editor (default) | ~20 | You're editing the active project. Covers composition, assets, items, playback, render, captions. | | editor+local | ~32 | You need to import files from disk, probe media, extract audio/frames, or manage projects. | | full | ~42 | You want cloud-platform tools: list cloud projects, upload files, manage watches, check usage. |

Switch at runtime from inside a conversation:

set_tool_mode({ mode: "full" })

Or set the initial mode via environment variable:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "trendy-video": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@trendyvideo/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "TRENDY_TOOL_MODE": "editor+local"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example Session

You: Make me a TikTok with a dark radial gradient, big hook text that says
     "STOP SCROLLING", and a follow CTA at the end.

AI: I'll set up the composition and build the scenes.

[create_composition({ width: 1080, height: 1920, fps: 30 })]
[add_item({ type: "solid", color: "#0a0a1a", gradientType: "radial",
            gradientColor: "#1a0a3e", startFrame: 0, duration: 300, ... })]
[add_item({ type: "text", text: "STOP SCROLLING", fontSize: 110,
            entrance: "bounce", ... })]
[preview_frame({ frame: 0 })]

AI: Here's the first frame. Hook text is centered and above the safe zone.
    Ready to render?

You: Yes.

[render({ format: "mp4", quality: "final" })]
[get_render_progress({ renderId: "..." })]

AI: Done. Your 10-second TikTok has been rendered.

Environment Variables

| Variable | Default | Description | |---|---|---| | TRENDY_HARNESS_URL | ws://localhost:9847 | WebSocket URL for the desktop editor harness. | | TRENDY_TOOL_MODE | editor | Initial tool mode: editor, editor+local, or full. | | TRENDY_CLOUD_API_URL | https://app.trendyvideo.com/api | Base URL for cloud-platform tools (full mode only). |

SKILL.md — Tool Reference

The server exposes a comprehensive AI instruction guide as an MCP resource at trendy://skill. Clients that support resources load it automatically on connect. It covers:

• Every tool, its parameters, and when to use it
• Composition presets for TikTok, Reels, Shorts, YouTube, etc.
• Item types and their properties (solid, text, video, audio, image, captions, gif, adjustment, code)
• Workflow recipes (slideshow, talking head, product ad, multi-scene reveal)
• Color-grading recipes and platform-specific creative tips
• Common mistakes to avoid

The full source is shipped in the skill/ directory of this package and can be read directly at node_modules/@trendyvideo/mcp-server/skill/SKILL.md.

License

Proprietary. See the Trendy license agreement.