DaVinci Resolve MCP Server

Overview

The DaVinci Resolve MCP Server bridges the gap between advanced video‑editing workflows and AI assistants such as Claude. By exposing a rich set of Model Context Protocol endpoints, it lets an AI client query and manipulate every aspect of a DaVinci Resolve session—from project files and timelines to media assets and Fusion compositions. This eliminates the need for manual GUI interaction or custom scripting, enabling developers to build intelligent assistants that can ask for a specific clip, create a new timeline on demand, or even execute complex Python code inside Resolve.

What Problem Does It Solve?

Video editors often juggle multiple tools, scripts, and manual steps to assemble a project. Traditional automation relies on Resolve’s own scripting API or third‑party plugins, which can be difficult to integrate with conversational AI. The MCP server translates high‑level AI commands into Resolve actions, allowing a single dialogue to orchestrate tasks such as importing media, re‑timing clips, or adding visual effects. This reduces context switching and speeds up iterative editing cycles.

Core Value for Developers

For developers building AI‑powered editing assistants, the server provides:

• Two‑way communication: The assistant can both query Resolve’s state and issue commands, enabling real‑time feedback.
• Unified command set: A consistent API surface for projects, timelines, media pools, and Fusion nodes.
• Python execution: Directly run arbitrary Resolve‑specific Python code, unlocking any feature exposed by the native scripting interface.
• Cross‑platform integration: Works seamlessly with Claude Desktop, 5ire, or any MCP‑compatible client.

Key Features & Capabilities

• Project Management – Create, load, and save projects with simple function calls.
• Timeline Manipulation – Build new timelines, set the active timeline, and generate timelines from selected clips.
• Media Handling – Import files, organize folders, and retrieve media pool information.
• Fusion Integration – Add Fusion compositions to clips, construct node chains, and modify existing nodes.
• Page Navigation – Switch between Resolve’s media, edit, color, fairlight, and deliver pages.
• System Insights – Retrieve status reports, volume listings, and current project details.

Real‑World Use Cases

• Automated Rough Cuts – An AI assistant could pull a list of raw footage, automatically assemble a first‑pass edit, and prompt the editor for fine‑tuning.
• Dynamic Color Grading – By querying current timeline clips, the assistant can apply preset LUTs or generate custom color grades via Fusion nodes.
• Batch Asset Import – Large projects can be seeded with media by scripting bulk imports, folder creation, and metadata tagging.
• Live Collaboration – Multiple editors can share a Resolve session; an AI bot can coordinate changes, merge timelines, or resolve conflicts.

Integration Into AI Workflows

Developers embed the MCP server into their AI stack by adding it as a resource in Claude Desktop or 5ire. Once connected, the assistant can issue commands such as or . The server translates these into Resolve API calls, returning structured JSON that the assistant can parse and present to the user. This tight coupling allows for conversational, context‑aware editing workflows that feel natural and responsive.

Standout Advantages

• End‑to‑end Automation: From project creation to final export, the MCP server covers every stage of the editing pipeline.
• Extensibility: The Python execution endpoint lets developers add custom Resolve functions without modifying the server code.
• Cross‑Platform Compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux where DaVinci Resolve Studio is available.
• Open‑Source: The server’s codebase can be forked and tailored to specific studio pipelines or integrated with other AI assistants.

In summary, the DaVinci Resolve MCP Server empowers developers to turn video editing into a conversational experience, dramatically reducing manual overhead and enabling AI assistants to act as true collaborators in the creative process.