Image editing / CONNECTION GUIDE

GIMP MCP Servers for Claude Code

Connect GIMP through a live desktop plugin or a separate headless Script-Fu MCP server.

Integration documentation

GIMP integrations and connections

MCP · Headless workflow

GIMP MCP · Script-Fu

A persistent headless GIMP Script-Fu process exposes image operations through MCP.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Claude Code · Documented

The maintainer documents Claude Code setup for this connection.

Codex · MCP compatible

MCP transport compatibility is inferred; this agent is not explicitly documented for this connection.

Cursor · MCP compatible

MCP transport compatibility is inferred; this agent is not explicitly documented for this connection.

Requirements and limitations

Node.js 20+ and GIMP 3.x configured with the documented Script-Fu server.

This route runs GIMP headlessly; it does not manipulate the image currently open in the desktop window.

View setup Maintainer documentation

MCP · Live app

GIMP MCP · desktop plugin

A GIMP 3 plugin connects the running application to an MCP server.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Claude Code · Documented

The maintainer documents Claude Code setup for this connection.

Codex · MCP compatible

MCP transport compatibility is inferred; this agent is not explicitly documented for this connection.

Cursor · MCP compatible

MCP transport compatibility is inferred; this agent is not explicitly documented for this connection.

Requirements and limitations

GIMP 3.2+ with the companion plugin and its documented Python server environment.

This desktop plugin differs from the headless Script-Fu route and needs a compatible running GIMP instance.

View setup Maintainer documentation

MCP · Live app

GIMP 3 MCP · tifyr

A GIMP 3 plugin and MCP server for editing images in a running session.

Platforms: macOS

Claude Code · Documented

The integration documentation explicitly names this client.

Codex · MCP compatible

MCP support suggests compatibility; this client is not documented by the maintainer.

Cursor · MCP compatible

MCP support suggests compatibility; this client is not documented by the maintainer.

Requirements and limitations

GIMP 3.2, the GIMP plugin, and the MCP server.

Start the GIMP plugin server for each session; the project evolved from the maorcc bridge.

View setup Maintainer documentation

Compare connections

Compare how each route works, what it can do, and what you need to run it.

Connection	Workflow and platform	Capabilities	Documented agents	Requirements and limitations
GIMP MCP · Script-Fu MCP	Headless workflow Windows, macOS, Linux	Open images and manage layers Apply Script-Fu operations and export images	Claude Code	Node.js 20+ and GIMP 3.x configured with the documented Script-Fu server. This route runs GIMP headlessly; it does not manipulate the image currently open in the desktop window.
GIMP MCP · desktop plugin MCP	Live app Windows, macOS, Linux	Work with image layers and compositing Export images	Claude Code	GIMP 3.2+ with the companion plugin and its documented Python server environment. This desktop plugin differs from the headless Script-Fu route and needs a compatible running GIMP instance.
GIMP 3 MCP · tifyr MCP	Live app macOS	Paint brush strokes Edit layers and text Export images	Claude Code	GIMP 3.2, the GIMP plugin, and the MCP server. Start the GIMP plugin server for each session; the project evolved from the maorcc bridge.

GIMP MCP · Script-Fu

How it works
MCP · Headless workflow
Windows, macOS, Linux

Capabilities
Open images and manage layers · Apply Script-Fu operations and export images

Documented agents
Claude Code

Requirements and limitations

Node.js 20+ and GIMP 3.x configured with the documented Script-Fu server.

This route runs GIMP headlessly; it does not manipulate the image currently open in the desktop window.

GIMP MCP · desktop plugin

How it works
MCP · Live app
Windows, macOS, Linux

Capabilities
Work with image layers and compositing · Export images

Documented agents
Claude Code

Requirements and limitations

GIMP 3.2+ with the companion plugin and its documented Python server environment.

This desktop plugin differs from the headless Script-Fu route and needs a compatible running GIMP instance.

GIMP 3 MCP · tifyr

How it works
MCP · Live app
macOS

Capabilities
Paint brush strokes · Edit layers and text · Export images

Documented agents
Claude Code

Requirements and limitations

GIMP 3.2, the GIMP plugin, and the MCP server.

Start the GIMP plugin server for each session; the project evolved from the maorcc bridge.

Choose an AI agent

Claude Code + GIMP

Codex: setup not listed in the integration documentation.

Cursor: setup not listed in the integration documentation.

Questions before setup

Does one integration cover every workflow?

No such claim is made. Check the capability list, requirements and limitations of each route, then test a copy of a representative project.