Embody
MCP server embedded in TouchDesigner with 45 tools for creating operators, setting parameters, wiring connections, managing externalizations, and building real-time visual projects through natural conversation.
What is Embody?
Embody is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to mcp server embedded in touchdesigner with 45 tools for creating operators, setting parameters, wiring connections, managing externalizations, and building real-time visual projects through natural con...
MCP server embedded in TouchDesigner with 45 tools for creating operators, setting parameters, wiring connections, managing externalizations, and building real-time visual projects through natural conversation.
This server falls under the Coding Agents category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- MCP server embedded in TouchDesigner with 45 tools for creat
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx embodyConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Embody
Embody is a TouchDesigner-embedded MCP server (internally called Envoy) that exposes 49 tools for building and controlling real-time visual projects through natural language. It allows AI coding assistants such as Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf to create operators, wire connections, set parameters, run Python code, export and diff network state, and manage externalizations — all within a live TouchDesigner session. Media artists and creative coders can describe what they want to build and have the AI construct it in seconds without copy-pasting code.
Prerequisites
- TouchDesigner installed (https://derivative.ca/download) — a free non-commercial license works
- An MCP client: Claude Code, Cursor, or Windsurf opened in the project's git root
- A git repository for the TouchDesigner project (Embody auto-generates .mcp.json at the repo root)
- Python available within TouchDesigner's environment (included by default)
Download the Embody .tox file
Download the latest Embody release (.tox file) from the /release directory of the GitHub repository.
# Visit: https://github.com/dylanroscover/Embody/releases
# Download: Embody.toxAdd Embody to your TouchDesigner project
Drag the downloaded Embody.tox file into your open TouchDesigner project. The COMP will appear in your network editor.
Enable the Envoy MCP server
Select the Embody COMP in TouchDesigner and toggle the 'Envoyenable' parameter to ON. The server starts on localhost:9870 by default and auto-generates .mcp.json in your git root.
Connect your MCP client
Open your MCP client (Claude Code, Cursor, or Windsurf) in the project's git root directory. Embody auto-generates .mcp.json; or add the server manually to your MCP config.
// .mcp.json (auto-generated by Embody, or add manually)
{
"mcpServers": {
"envoy": {
"type": "http",
"url": "http://localhost:9870/mcp"
}
}
}Externalize operators for version control
Press lctrl+lctrl over any operator to tag it for externalization. Embody will sync the operator's scripts to disk in your project folder, making them diffable and version-controllable.
Build and control TouchDesigner through natural language
With the MCP connection active, describe what you want to build or modify. Embody translates your intent into operator creation, parameter setting, and Python execution within TouchDesigner.
Embody Examples
Client configuration
MCP configuration for connecting an MCP client to Embody's Envoy server running in TouchDesigner
{
"mcpServers": {
"envoy": {
"type": "http",
"url": "http://localhost:9870/mcp"
}
}
}Prompts to try
Natural language prompts for building and controlling TouchDesigner projects via Embody
- "Create a noise CHOP connected to a Math CHOP that normalizes the output to 0-1 range."
- "Add a Movie File In TOP and connect it to a Blur TOP with a radius of 20."
- "Write a Python DAT that reads values from the audio analysis CHOP and prints peak levels."
- "Export the current COMP to a .tdn file and show me the diff against the last saved version."
- "Restart TouchDesigner and restore the project from the last externalized state."Troubleshooting Embody
MCP client cannot connect to localhost:9870
Ensure the 'Envoyenable' parameter on the Embody COMP is toggled ON. Check the TouchDesigner textport for any startup errors. Confirm no other process is using port 9870, or change it via the 'Envoyport' parameter.
Externalized files are not syncing back to TouchDesigner
Press Ctrl+Shift+R to refresh the tracking state. If files still do not sync, check that the 'Aiprojectroot' parameter is pointing to the correct git root where your externalized scripts live.
create_op or connect_ops tool returns an error about unknown operator types
Verify that you are using the exact TouchDesigner operator type names (e.g., 'noiseCHOP', 'moviefileInTOP'). Use execute_python to call 'op.Embody.Log(str(dir()))' to inspect available operator families.
Frequently Asked Questions about Embody
What is Embody?
Embody is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that mcp server embedded in touchdesigner with 45 tools for creating operators, setting parameters, wiring connections, managing externalizations, and building real-time visual projects through natural conversation. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Embody?
Follow the installation instructions on the Embody GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Embody?
Embody works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Embody free to use?
Yes, Embody is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up Embody in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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