Strudel
Enables AI-powered music generation and live coding by providing direct control over Strudel.cc through browser automation. Supports pattern creation, audio analysis, and pattern storage for TidalCycles/Strudel music patterns.
What is Strudel?
Strudel is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to enables ai-powered music generation and live coding by providing direct control over strudel.cc through browser automation. supports pattern creation, audio analysis, and pattern storage for tidalcycl...
Enables AI-powered music generation and live coding by providing direct control over Strudel.cc through browser automation. Supports pattern creation, audio analysis, and pattern storage for TidalCycles/Strudel music patterns.
This server falls under the Browser Automation category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Enables AI-powered music generation and live coding by provi
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx strudel-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Strudel
The Strudel MCP Server enables AI-powered live coding music by automating a Chromium browser running strudel.cc — the TidalCycles-inspired music pattern language — and exposing 27 tools for composing, editing, playing, analyzing, and storing music patterns. An AI assistant can generate rhythms and melodies in 8 different genres, transform patterns with effects and shapes, analyze audio with FFT spectrum data, and export MIDI files, all without the user writing any code. This makes it a unique bridge between conversational AI and live electronic music production.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 22.x LTS or higher installed
- npm 10 or higher installed
- Chromium browser (auto-installed by Playwright during setup)
- Audio output device (speakers or headphones) for music playback
- An MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or similar)
Install the package globally
Install the live-coding-music-mcp package globally via npm. This makes the strudel-mcp-server command available system-wide.
npm install -g @williamzujkowski/live-coding-music-mcpInstall the Chromium browser for Playwright
The server uses Playwright to automate a Chromium browser running strudel.cc. Install the Chromium browser runtime after the package is installed.
npx playwright install chromiumAdd the server to your MCP client configuration
Open your Claude Desktop config file and add the strudel MCP server entry. The server launches a Chromium browser window by default; set headless to true in config.json if you prefer background operation.
{
"mcpServers": {
"strudel": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@williamzujkowski/live-coding-music-mcp"]
}
}
}Restart your MCP client
Restart Claude Desktop. On the first use, the server will launch a Chromium window navigated to strudel.cc. The 27 music tools (compose, playback, analyze, etc.) should now be available.
Initialize a session and create your first pattern
Ask the AI to initialize Strudel and compose a pattern. The browser will open, the pattern will be loaded into the editor, and playback will start automatically.
Strudel Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration block for the Strudel MCP server.
{
"mcpServers": {
"strudel": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@williamzujkowski/live-coding-music-mcp"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts that use the Strudel MCP server to compose, play, and analyze music patterns.
- "Compose a techno pattern with a four-on-the-floor kick and an offbeat hi-hat"
- "Generate a jazz pattern at 120 BPM with chord voicings"
- "Add reverb and delay effects to the current pattern"
- "Analyze the current audio — what frequencies are dominant?"
- "Save the current pattern as 'track-1' so I can return to it later"
- "Transpose the melody up by 3 semitones and add a bassline"
- "Export the current session as a MIDI file"Troubleshooting Strudel
No audio output when patterns are playing
Strudel runs in the browser, so audio plays through the browser's audio output. Make sure your system default audio output is connected and not muted. If running headless, set `"headless": false` in config.json to see the browser and check if strudel.cc loaded correctly.
Playwright cannot find or launch Chromium
Run `npx playwright install chromium` again to ensure Chromium is installed. On Linux, you may need additional system libraries: `npx playwright install-deps chromium`.
Patterns load but do not play (strudel.cc shows an error)
Strudel requires user interaction to start the audio context due to browser autoplay policies. Use the `init` tool to initialize the Strudel session first before calling `playback`. This simulates the user interaction needed to unlock audio.
Frequently Asked Questions about Strudel
What is Strudel?
Strudel is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables ai-powered music generation and live coding by providing direct control over strudel.cc through browser automation. supports pattern creation, audio analysis, and pattern storage for tidalcycles/strudel music patterns. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Strudel?
Follow the installation instructions on the Strudel GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Strudel?
Strudel works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Strudel free to use?
Yes, Strudel is open source and available under the AGPL 3.0 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up Strudel in Your Editor
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Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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