MCP for Crestron client

Control a Crestron 4-Series AV system from Claude, in natural language. This is the client half of MCP for Crestron: an MCP server that connects Claude (Desktop or Code) to a processor running the MCP for Crestron modules, exposing the system as MCP tools over stdio. It speaks the MCP for Crestron text protocol (see PROTOCOL.md) over TCP, with secure-key + TLS authentication.

The client is free. Controlling a processor requires that processor to be licensed (or on a free trial). See Licensing. One processor licence is AUD $249 (inc GST); each processor also gets three free 1-week trials. Get a licence at https://solutionav.com.au/crestron-mcp/.

Install

Claude Desktop (recommended)

Download mcp-for-crestron.mcpb from https://solutionav.com.au/crestron-mcp/ and open it (or Settings → Extensions → Install). Enter the processor's address and its secure key (shown on the MCP Server Config module's Key output); the port defaults to 50794.

Claude Code / other MCP hosts

No download needed. Run it straight from npm:

claude mcp add crestron \
  --env CRESTRON_HOST=10.0.1.38 \
  --env CRESTRON_KEY=<the processor's secure key> \
  -- npx -y mcp-for-crestron

Configuration

Resolved low-to-high: config.json next to the entry, environment variables, then CLI args (<host> [port]).

| Env | Meaning | | --- | --- | | CRESTRON_HOST | processor IP / hostname (required) | | CRESTRON_PORT | TCP port (default 50794) | | CRESTRON_KEY | secure key (mode 2); enables TLS + authentication | | CRESTRON_AUTH | password (mode 1 only) | | CRESTRON_TLS | force TLS without a key |

Tools

discover_crestron_system, list_crestron_rooms, list_crestron_devices, query_crestron_device, get_crestron_time, control_crestron_device, set_crestron_devices, pulse_crestron_device, ramp_crestron_device, cancel_crestron_device, get_room_status, activate_crestron_license, get_crestron_license_status, start_crestron_trial.

See AGENT_GUIDE.md for how an assistant should use them (timing, scenes, ramps, nudge-not-nag licensing etiquette).

Licensing

The processor must be licensed before it accepts control or query commands. If it isn't, every tool returns guidance that includes the processor's activation code (its MAC). Two ways forward, both in chat:

• Free trial: start_crestron_trial (no payment; up to 3 × 1 week per processor).
• Buy: get a key for that MAC at https://solutionav.com.au/crestron-mcp/, paste it in chat, and the assistant calls activate_crestron_license.

The licence is stored on the processor (bound to its MAC), so it persists across reboots and covers every client. A purchased key only works on that one processor, so it's safe to receive in chat.

Develop

npm install
npm run build      # tsc -> dist/
npm start          # node dist/index.js
npm run mcpb       # build the Claude Desktop .mcpb (needs bun)

License

MIT. See LICENSE. (The client is open; the product is the per-processor licence on the box.)

Trademark

Crestron is a registered trademark of Crestron Electronics, Inc.; MCP for Crestron is a product of Solution AV Automation, not affiliated with or endorsed by Crestron.