Sketchfab MCP Server

Sketchfab MCP Server Overview

The Sketchfab MCP Server bridges the gap between AI assistants and Sketchfab’s vast library of 3D assets. By exposing a set of tools over the Model Context Protocol, it lets Claude, Cursor, or any MCP‑compatible client search for models, retrieve detailed metadata, and download files in multiple formats—all without leaving the conversational UI. This eliminates the need for developers to manually browse Sketchfab, write custom API wrappers, or manage authentication tokens in their own code.

At its core, the server implements three straightforward yet powerful tools:

• sketchfab-search – A flexible search endpoint that accepts keyword queries, tag filters, category constraints, and a flag for downloadable content. It returns a concise list of matching models, each accompanied by basic statistics such as view count and rating.
• sketchfab-model-details – Given a model’s unique ID, this tool fetches comprehensive information including the author, license, file size, available formats, and any embedded assets.
• sketchfab-download – Handles the actual file transfer, allowing clients to specify the desired format (GLTF, GLB, USDZ, or source) and an optional local output path. The server streams the file directly to the AI assistant, which can then pass it back to the user or store it for downstream processing.

These capabilities solve a common pain point in AI‑driven design workflows: the latency and complexity of retrieving 3D content from external platforms. Developers can now embed real‑time model discovery and acquisition into their applications, enabling use cases such as instant prototyping, dynamic scene generation, or automated asset cataloging. For example, a design assistant might ask the user for a “futuristic vehicle” and immediately return a curated list of ready‑to‑download models, complete with previews and licensing details.

Integration is seamless. The MCP server can be launched locally or hosted on a cloud function, and clients configure it via simple command arguments or environment variables. In Cursor, the server is added through the MCP settings panel; in Claude Desktop, a JSON snippet points to the executable. Once connected, the assistant can invoke any of the three tools as if they were native commands, receiving structured JSON responses that can be parsed or displayed directly in the chat.

Unique advantages of this MCP server include its format‑agnostic download feature, which caters to both web and AR/VR pipelines, and its search filters that let developers narrow results by category or tag—critical for large teams managing diverse asset libraries. By encapsulating Sketchfab’s API behind a clean MCP interface, the server empowers developers to focus on higher‑level application logic while still leveraging Sketchfab’s extensive marketplace.