FCPXML

v1.0.0โ€ขDeveloper Toolsโ€ขstable

๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ  ๐ŸŽ - The first MCP server for Final Cut Pro. 53 tools that parse, e

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What is FCPXML?

FCPXML is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ  ๐ŸŽ - the first mcp server for final cut pro. 53 tools that parse, e

๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ  ๐ŸŽ - The first MCP server for Final Cut Pro. 53 tools that parse, e

This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.

Features

  • MCP protocol support

Use Cases

Final Cut Pro project automation
Video editing workflow control
DareDev256

Maintainer

LicenseMIT License
Languagepython
Versionv1.0.0
UpdatedMay 18, 2026
Statushealthy
Maintenanceactive

Works with

ClaudeOpenAIwindowsmacoslinux

Installation

Manual Installation

npx fcpxml

Configuration

Configuration Details

Config File

claude_desktop_config.json

Performance

Response Metrics

Response Time< 200ms
ThroughputMedium

Resource Usage

Memory UsageLow
CPU UsageLow

How to Set Up and Use FCPXML

The FCPXML MCP Server is the first MCP server for Final Cut Pro, providing 56 Python-based tools that parse, edit, validate, and generate Final Cut Pro XML (FCPXML) files, enabling AI assistants to automate complex video editing workflows without requiring direct Final Cut Pro interaction. It supports analyzing timeline structure, finding gaps and flash frames, adding chapter markers from transcripts, exporting to DaVinci Resolve and YouTube formats, generating rough cuts, and even pushing FCPXML directly to a running Final Cut Pro instance via Apple Events on macOS. The server works non-destructively โ€” modified files always receive new suffixes, leaving originals intact.

Prerequisites

  • Python 3.10+ installed on your macOS system (macOS only; Live Mode requires Final Cut Pro 10.4โ€“12.x)
  • Final Cut Pro installed (for Live Mode Apple Events integration; not required for file-based analysis)
  • uv package manager or pip for installing Python dependencies
  • FCPXML files exported from Final Cut Pro (File > Export XML) to work with
  • An MCP client such as Claude Desktop
1

Clone the repository

Download the fcpxml-mcp-server source code from GitHub.

git clone https://github.com/DareDev256/fcpxml-mcp-server.git
cd fcpxml-mcp-server
2

Install Python dependencies

Install the server in editable mode using pip so all 56 tools are available.

pip install -e .
3

Export an FCPXML file from Final Cut Pro

In Final Cut Pro, select your project or library in the browser, go to File > Export XML, choose the FCPXML version, and save to a known location (e.g. ~/Movies/my-edit.fcpxml). This is the file the MCP server will analyze and modify.

4

Configure Claude Desktop using uv (recommended)

Add the fcpxml server to your claude_desktop_config.json. Set FCP_PROJECTS_DIR to the directory containing your FCPXML files so the server can discover them automatically.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fcpxml": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["--directory", "/path/to/fcpxml-mcp-server", "run", "server.py"],
      "env": {
        "FCP_PROJECTS_DIR": "/Users/you/Movies"
      }
    }
  }
}
5

Alternative: configure with pip/python

If you prefer not to use uv, point Claude Desktop directly at the Python binary and server.py script.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fcpxml": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/fcpxml-mcp-server/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "FCP_PROJECTS_DIR": "/Users/you/Movies"
      }
    }
  }
}
6

Restart Claude Desktop and run a health check

Quit and relaunch Claude Desktop. Ask Claude to run a health check on one of your FCPXML files to verify the server is working.

FCPXML Examples

Client configuration

Claude Desktop configuration using uv to run the FCPXML server with a Movies directory for project discovery.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fcpxml": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["--directory", "/Users/you/fcpxml-mcp-server", "run", "server.py"],
      "env": {
        "FCP_PROJECTS_DIR": "/Users/you/Movies",
        "FCPXML_DTD_DIR": "/Applications/Final Cut Pro.app/Contents/Resources"
      }
    }
  }
}

Prompts to try

Example prompts that exercise the FCPXML server's analysis, QC, editing, and export tools.

- "Run a health check on my wedding edit FCPXML file"
- "Find all gaps and flash frames in my-edit.fcpxml, then auto-fix them"
- "Add chapter markers from this transcript to the timeline: [paste transcript]"
- "Export my current timeline FCPXML for use in DaVinci Resolve"
- "Build a 60-second rough cut from clips tagged 'Interview' in my library"
- "Generate YouTube chapter timestamps from the markers in my-documentary.fcpxml"

Troubleshooting FCPXML

Server fails to start with 'No module named ...' error

Ensure you ran pip install -e . from inside the cloned fcpxml-mcp-server directory. If using uv, make sure uv is installed (pip install uv) and that the --directory path in your config points to the correct directory containing server.py.

FCPXML files are not discovered by the server

Set FCP_PROJECTS_DIR to the absolute path of the directory containing your .fcpxml files. The default is ~/Movies but tilde expansion may not work in env blocks โ€” use the full path like /Users/yourname/Movies instead.

Live Mode push to Final Cut Pro fails

Live Mode requires macOS and uses Apple Events to communicate with a running Final Cut Pro instance. Ensure Final Cut Pro is open with a library loaded, and that Claude Desktop has Automation permissions for Final Cut Pro in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation.

Frequently Asked Questions about FCPXML

What is FCPXML?

FCPXML is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ  ๐ŸŽ - the first mcp server for final cut pro. 53 tools that parse, e It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.

How do I install FCPXML?

Follow the installation instructions on the FCPXML GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.

Which AI clients work with FCPXML?

FCPXML works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.

Is FCPXML free to use?

Yes, FCPXML is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.

Browse More Developer Tools MCP Servers

Explore all developer tools servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.

Quick Config Preview

{ "mcpServers": { "fcpxml": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "fcpxml"] } } }

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json

Read the full setup guide โ†’

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