Frequently asked questions

Is there an MCP server for TouchDesigner?

Yes — tdmcp is an open-source (MIT) Model Context Protocol server for TouchDesigner. It connects AI assistants like Claude, Cursor and Codex to TouchDesigner so they can build real node networks from plain-language prompts.

Can Claude or Cursor control TouchDesigner?

Yes. With tdmcp connected, you describe a visual in plain language and the assistant creates, wires, inspects and previews the actual operators inside your TouchDesigner project.

Do I need to know how to code, or which operators to use?

No. You describe the result you want; tdmcp carries an embedded reference of TouchDesigner's real operators, so the AI picks and wires them for you. See What is tdmcp?.

Is tdmcp free?

Yes — it's free and open-source under the MIT license, and it works with the free non-commercial edition of TouchDesigner.

Which AI assistants work with tdmcp?

Claude Desktop (the easiest, one-click install), Claude Code, Codex and Cursor — any MCP-capable client.

Does it work offline, without a paid API?

It ships a local LLM copilot (tdmcp chat) that handles simple tasks through a local model, and the server stays usable even when TouchDesigner is closed.

Does tdmcp run on macOS and Windows?

Yes, on both — anywhere TouchDesigner and Node.js 20+ run.

Is it safe to run?

The bridge runs inside your own TouchDesigner on localhost. For untrusted networks you can require a bearer token and disable the code-execution endpoints — see Security.

How is tdmcp different from other TouchDesigner MCP experiments?

It pairs a real operator knowledge base with a bridge that executes inside TouchDesigner in a create → verify → preview loop — so the AI uses real operators and fixes its own mistakes instead of guessing.

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