npm package: @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server
Description: MCP server for Shotstack video editing API - supports both remote HTTP (Claude.ai, ChatGPT) and local stdio (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code)
Author: Shotstack
Latest version: 1.0.4

# @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server

[![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server)
[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](LICENSE)

AI-powered video editing through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Create, edit, and render videos using natural language with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code and others.

## Quick Start

### Using npx (Recommended)

```bash
npx -y @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server --api-key=YOUR_SHOTSTACK_API_KEY
```

### Environment Variable

```bash
SHOTSTACK_API_KEY=your_key npx @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server
```

## Claude Desktop Configuration

Add to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

**macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
**Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shotstack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Claude Code

```bash
claude mcp add shotstack -- npx -y @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server
```

Then set `SHOTSTACK_API_KEY` in your environment.

## Cursor

Add to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (global) or `.cursor/mcp.json` (project):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shotstack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## VS Code (GitHub Copilot)

Requires VS Code 1.99+ with Agent Mode enabled. Add to `.vscode/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "shotstack": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Windsurf

Add to `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shotstack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Zed

Add to Zed settings.json:

```json
{
  "context_servers": {
    "shotstack": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"],
        "env": {
          "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Gemini CLI

```bash
gemini mcp add shotstack -s user -- npx -y @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server
```

Then set `SHOTSTACK_API_KEY` in your environment.

## Google Antigravity

In Antigravity, click **Agent session** > **"..."** > **MCP Servers** > **Manage MCP Servers** > **View raw config**.

Add to `mcp_config.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shotstack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## OpenAI Codex CLI

```bash
codex mcp add shotstack --env SHOTSTACK_API_KEY=your_key -- npx -y @shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server
```

Or add to `~/.codex/config.toml`:

```toml
[mcp_servers.shotstack]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@shotstack/shotstack-mcp-server"]
env = { "SHOTSTACK_API_KEY" = "your_api_key" }
```

## Available Tools

| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `render_video` | Create video from JSON specification |
| `get_render_status` | Check render progress |
| `create_template` | Save reusable template |
| `list_templates` | List all templates |
| `get_template` | Get template details |
| `render_template` | Render with merge fields |
| `delete_template` | Delete template |
| `inspect_media` | Get media file metadata |

## Example Prompts

Try these prompts in Claude Desktop:

- "Create a 10-second video with 'Hello World' using typewriter animation"
- "Make a video with a blue to purple gradient text effect"
- "Create a template called 'greeting' with merge field {{NAME}}"
- "Render the greeting template with NAME set to 'Alice'"

## Options

| Option | Environment Variable | Description |
|--------|---------------------|-------------|
| `--api-key` | `SHOTSTACK_API_KEY` | Your Shotstack API key (required) |
| `--stage` | `SHOTSTACK_API_VERSION` | API version: `stage` (free) or `v1` (production) |

## Get Your API Key

Sign up at [dashboard.shotstack.io](https://dashboard.shotstack.io) to get your API key.

## Remote Server (Claude.ai / ChatGPT)

For web-based AI platforms, use the hosted MCP server:

**Endpoint:** `https://mcp.shotstack.io/`

## Documentation

- [Shotstack API Docs](https://shotstack.io/docs/api/)
- [MCP Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)

## License

MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE)