Manim MCP Server

# Building MCPB (MCP Bundle) for Claude Desktop This guide explains how to package the Manim MCP server as a `.mcpb` file for one-click installation in Claude Desktop. ## What is MCPB? MCPB (.mcpb) files are zip archives that bundle an MCP server with a manifest for single-click installation in Claude Desktop, similar to browser extensions. ## Prerequisites 1. **Install MCPB CLI:** ```bash npm install -g @anthropic-ai/mcpb ``` 2. **Install Python dependencies:** ```bash pip install -e . ``` 3. **Ensure icon.png exists** (512x512 PNG file in the root directory) ## Building the MCPB ### Method 1: Using MCPB CLI (Recommended) ```bash # Build the .mcpb file mcpb pack # This creates: manim-mcp-0.1.0.mcpb ``` The MCPB CLI will: - Validate manifest.json - Bundle all necessary files - Create a signed .mcpb archive ### Method 2: Manual Build Script ```bash # Run the build script ./build_mcpb.sh ``` This script: 1. Validates manifest.json 2. Copies necessary files to dist/ 3. Creates the .mcpb bundle 4. Cleans up temporary files ## What Gets Bundled? The MCPB includes: - `manifest.json` - Extension metadata and configuration - `icon.png` - Extension icon (512x512) - `src/` - Python source code - `pyproject.toml` - Python package configuration - `requirements.txt` - Python dependencies - `LICENSE` - License file ## Installing the MCPB Once built, users can install via: 1. **Double-click** the `.mcpb` file 2. **Drag and drop** into Claude Desktop 3. **File menu**: Developer → Extensions → Install Extension ## Testing Before distributing: 1. **Install locally:** ```bash # On macOS open manim-mcp-0.1.0.mcpb # On Windows start manim-mcp-0.1.0.mcpb ``` 2. **Verify in Claude Desktop:** - Check extension appears in Developer → Extensions - Test both tools (create_math_animation and get_manim_example) - Verify video output is created 3. **Test on both platforms:** - macOS (darwin) - Windows (win32) ## System Requirements Users will need: - **Python 3.10+** installed and in PATH - **System dependencies** for Manim: - macOS: `brew install py3cairo ffmpeg && brew install --cask mactex-no-gui` - Windows: `choco install manimce` - Linux: See README.md for apt packages ## Troubleshooting ### "Command not found: mcpb" - Install MCPB CLI: `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/mcpb` - Verify: `mcpb --version` ### "Missing icon.png" - Run `python3 create_icon.py` or create manually - Must be 512x512 PNG in root directory ### "Invalid manifest.json" - Validate: `mcpb validate manifest.json` - Check JSON syntax - Ensure all required fields present ### Bundle too large - Remove unnecessary files (.git, __pycache__, etc.) - These are automatically excluded by .mcpbignore ## Distribution ### For Internal Use - Share the `.mcpb` file directly - Users double-click to install - No code signing required for internal use ### For Public Distribution See [Submitting to Anthropic Directory](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/build-with-claude/mcp/directory-submission) for: - Code signing requirements - Privacy policy requirements - Submission process - Review guidelines ## File Structure ``` manim-mcp/ ├── manifest.json # MCPB manifest (required) ├── icon.png # Extension icon (recommended) ├── src/manim_mcp/ # Source code │ ├── __init__.py │ ├── __main__.py │ └── server.py ├── pyproject.toml # Package config ├── requirements.txt # Dependencies ├── LICENSE # License file └── README.md # Documentation ``` ## Learn More - [MCPB Repository](https://github.com/anthropics/mcpb) - [MCPB Manifest Spec](https://github.com/anthropics/mcpb/blob/main/MANIFEST_SPEC.md) - [MCP Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) - [Claude Desktop Extensions Guide](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/build-with-claude/mcp/desktop-extensions)