What it does
This MCP server automates Adobe Photoshop for AI assistants like Claude. It runs as a plugin for Claude Desktop or Cursor, or as a standalone web UI (no IDE required). You describe image edits, designs, or batch operations in natural language, and the server translates them into Photoshop actions on a running local instance. It includes recipe workflows (enhance portrait, remove background, gradient fade, sky blend, and others) and atomic operations for fine-grained control.
Who it's for
Design engineers and product teams who want to automate Photoshop from Claude or their IDE. Also useful for builders embedding AI-driven image editing in custom web applications via the standalone UI.
Common use cases
- Batch-process images (resize, crop, filter) from Claude without opening Photoshop
- Remove backgrounds, enhance portraits, or apply artistic effects via pre-engineered recipes
- Generate UI mockups or design variations by describing edits in natural language
- Drive Photoshop automation from a web app using the bundled standalone UI
- Engage with Photoshop entirely through Claude Code without the desktop app
Setup pitfalls
- Photoshop must be installed and running locally — the server communicates with an active Photoshop instance on Windows or macOS; remote or cloud Photoshop is not supported
- Filesystem and network access — the server reads and writes local files (Photoshop projects) and makes network calls; untrusted prompts could perform unintended file operations
- No CI pipeline — the project has no automated tests, and releases should be checked for breaking changes before upgrading
- CLI account mode limitations — Gemini headless may open a new session per turn (losing chat history); Anthropic CLI mode counts against your subscription quota