# ATEM MCP Server
Control Blackmagic ATEM video switchers with AI assistants using the Model Context Protocol. Works with **Claude Desktop**, **claude.ai**, **Claude Mobile**, **Cursor**, and any MCP-compatible client.
Talk to your switcher in plain English: *"Put camera 2 on program and dissolve to it"* or *"Start streaming and recording"* or *"Run macro 3."*
Supports both **local** (stdio) and **remote** (Streamable HTTP with OAuth 2.0) transports.
## How It Works
```
You (natural language)
│
▼
Claude (Anthropic Cloud)
│ translates to MCP tool calls
▼
ATEM MCP Server (your Mac/PC)
│ uses atem-connection library
▼
ATEM Switcher (network)
│ executes commands
▼
ATEM Software Control / hardware
│ reflects changes in real time
```
## Supported ATEM Models
The underlying `atem-connection` library (by NRK/Sofie) supports every ATEM generation:
- ATEM Mini, Mini Pro, Mini Pro ISO, Mini Extreme, Mini Extreme ISO
- ATEM Television Studio HD, HD8, HD8 ISO
- ATEM 1 M/E, 2 M/E, 4 M/E Production Studio / Constellation
- ATEM SDI, SDI Pro ISO, SDI Extreme ISO
- And all other Blackmagic ATEM models
## Quick Start
### 1. Install
```bash
cd atem-mcp-server
npm install
npm run build
```
### 2. Configure Claude Desktop
Edit your Claude Desktop config file:
**macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
**Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"atem": {
"command": "/opt/homebrew/bin/node",
"args": ["/path/to/atem-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"ATEM_HOST": "192.168.1.100"
}
}
}
}
```
> **Note:** Replace `/opt/homebrew/bin/node` with your full Node.js path (run `which node` to find it). Replace the IP with your ATEM's address.
### 3. Restart Claude Desktop
Quit and relaunch Claude Desktop. You should see the hammer (🔨) icon indicating MCP tools are available.
### 4. Start Talking to Your Switcher
- *"Connect to my ATEM at 192.168.1.100"*
- *"Show me the current switcher status"*
- *"Put camera 3 on preview and dissolve to it"*
- *"Fade to black"*
## Environment Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| `ATEM_HOST` | ATEM IP address (enables auto-connect) | — |
| `ATEM_PORT` | ATEM port | `9910` |
| `TRANSPORT` | Transport mode: `stdio` or `http` | `stdio` |
| `PORT` | HTTP server port (when `TRANSPORT=http`) | `3000` |
| `BASE_URL` | Public URL for OAuth endpoints (when behind a tunnel/proxy) | `http://localhost:PORT` |
If `ATEM_HOST` is set, the server auto-connects on startup. Otherwise, use `atem_connect` to connect manually.
## Remote Access (claude.ai, Claude Mobile, HTTP)
The HTTP transport exposes the MCP server as a web endpoint with built-in OAuth 2.0. This enables remote access from **claude.ai**, **Claude Mobile**, and any HTTP-capable MCP client.
### Quick Start (HTTP Mode)
```bash
TRANSPORT=http BASE_URL=https://atem.yourdomain.com ATEM_HOST=192.168.1.100 node dist/index.js
```
The server starts on port 3000 with:
- **MCP endpoint:** `POST /mcp` (Bearer token required)
- **OAuth 2.0:** Full auto-provisioning flow (discovery, registration, authorization, token exchange)
- **Health check:** `GET /health`
### Connect from claude.ai
1. Go to [claude.ai/settings/connectors](https://claude.ai/settings/connectors)
2. Click **Add custom connector**
3. Enter your MCP URL (e.g., `https://atem.yourdomain.com/mcp`)
4. Click **Connect** — the OAuth flow completes automatically
5. Start a conversation and control your ATEM remotely
### Connect from Claude Desktop (Remote)
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"atem": {
"url": "https://atem.yourdomain.com/mcp"
}
}
}
```
No `command` or `args` needed — the server runs remotely.
### OAuth 2.0 Implementation
The HTTP server implements a complete OAuth 2.0 flow for MCP authentication:
| Endpoint | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `GET /.well-known/oauth-protected-resource` | RFC 9728 resource metadata |
| `GET /.well-known/oauth-authorization-server` | Authorization server metadata |
| `POST /register` | Dynamic Client Registration (DCR) |
| `GET /authorize` | Authorization endpoint (auto-approves) |
| `POST /token` | Token exchange (issues Bearer tokens) |
The OAuth server auto-provisions tokens without user interaction — designed for personal/trusted use. For production environments, consider adding proper authentication.
### Expose with Cloudflare Tunnel
Use a named Cloudflare Tunnel for a permanent URL — no port forwarding, no dynamic DNS, no changing URLs.
#### Prerequisites
- A free [Cloudflare](https://dash.cloudflare.com/sign-up) account
- A domain managed by Cloudflare DNS
- `cloudflared` CLI installed (`brew install cloudflared` on macOS)
#### Setup
**1. Authenticate and create tunnel**
```bash
cloudflared login
cloudflared tunnel create atem-mcp
```
Note the tunnel ID (a UUID).
**2. Route DNS**
```bash
cloudflared tunnel route dns atem-mcp atem.yourdomain.com
```
**3. Create config file** (`~/.cloudflared/config.yml`)
```yaml
tunnel: <TUNNEL_ID>
credentials-file: ~/.cloudflared/<TUNNEL_ID>.json
ingress:
- hostname: atem.yourdomain.com
service: http://localhost:3000
- service: http_status:404
```
**4. Start the server and tunnel**
```bash
# Terminal 1: MCP server
TRANSPORT=http BASE_URL=https://atem.yourdomain.com ATEM_HOST=192.168.1.100 node dist/index.js
# Terminal 2: Cloudflare tunnel
cloudflared tunnel run atem-mcp
```
Your MCP endpoint is now live at `https://atem.yourdomain.com/mcp`.
#### Critical: Disable Cloudflare AI Bot Blocking
> **If you use Cloudflare and connect from claude.ai, you must disable AI bot blocking or claude.ai's requests will be silently blocked with a 403.**
Claude.ai's backend uses the `Claude-User` user agent from Google Cloud Platform IPs. Cloudflare's "Block AI training bots" managed rule blocks these requests before they reach your server.
**To fix:**
1. Go to **Cloudflare Dashboard** > select your domain
2. On the **Overview** page, find **"Block AI training bots"** on the right sidebar
3. Change from **"Block on all pages"** to **"Do not block (allow crawlers)"**
You can verify in **Security > Analytics > Events** — blocked requests show as `Service: Managed rules`, `Rule: Manage AI bots`, `User agent: Claude-User`.
#### Run as a Background Service (macOS)
```bash
sudo cloudflared service install
```
This creates a launch daemon that starts the tunnel on boot.
#### Useful Commands
```bash
cloudflared tunnel list # List all tunnels
cloudflared tunnel info atem-mcp # Show tunnel details
cloudflared tunnel cleanup atem-mcp # Remove stale connections
cloudflared tunnel delete atem-mcp # Delete the tunnel entirely
```
## Available Tools (58 tools)
### Connection
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_connect` | Connect to an ATEM switcher by IP |
| `atem_disconnect` | Disconnect from the ATEM |
| `atem_get_status` | Get model, inputs, program/preview state |
### Switching
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_set_program` | Set program (live) input |
| `atem_set_preview` | Set preview (next) input |
| `atem_cut` | Hard cut transition |
| `atem_auto_transition` | Auto transition (dissolve/wipe/etc.) |
| `atem_fade_to_black` | Toggle Fade to Black |
| `atem_preview_and_auto` | Set preview + auto transition in one call |
### Transitions
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_set_transition_style` | Set mix, dip, wipe, DVE, or stinger |
| `atem_set_transition_rate` | Set transition duration in frames |
| `atem_set_transition_position` | Manual T-bar position (0.0–1.0) |
| `atem_get_transition_state` | Get current transition settings |
### Routing & Keyers
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_set_aux_source` | Route input to aux output |
| `atem_get_aux_source` | Get current aux routing |
| `atem_set_dsk_on_air` | Downstream keyer on/off air |
| `atem_auto_dsk` | Auto transition for DSK |
| `atem_set_dsk_sources` | Set DSK fill and key sources |
| `atem_set_usk_on_air` | Upstream keyer on/off air |
| `atem_set_usk_sources` | Set USK fill and cut sources |
### Macros
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_macro_run` | Run a macro by index |
| `atem_macro_stop` | Stop running macro |
| `atem_macro_continue` | Continue paused macro |
| `atem_list_macros` | List all defined macros |
### Recording & Streaming
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_start_recording` | Start recording |
| `atem_stop_recording` | Stop recording |
| `atem_start_streaming` | Start streaming |
| `atem_stop_streaming` | Stop streaming |
| `atem_get_recording_status` | Get recording/streaming status |
### Super Source
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_get_supersource_state` | Get all box positions, sources, art, and border settings |
| `atem_set_supersource_box` | Configure a single box (source, position, size, crop) |
| `atem_set_supersource_layout` | Set layout with presets (side-by-side, 2x2 grid, PiP, etc.) |
| `atem_set_supersource_art` | Configure art fill/cut source, foreground/background |
| `atem_set_supersource_border` | Configure border width, color, bevel, light source |
| `atem_go_gallery` | 2x2 gallery grid: host + 3 guests, prioritizes active speakers via audio levels |
| `atem_cut_to_active_speaker` | Cut full-screen to whoever is currently talking (detected via audio levels) |
| `atem_auto_switch_on` | Start auto-switching: program mode (full-screen), ssrc_box mode (Super Source box), or host_ssrc mode (host full-screen + guest side-by-side) |
| `atem_auto_switch_off` | Stop auto-switching mode |
| `atem_get_auto_switch_status` | Check if auto-switch is running, see stats |
| `atem_save_look` | Save current Super Source layout as a named "look" (boxes, art, border) |
| `atem_load_look` | Load a saved look and apply it — optionally override sources for different guests |
| `atem_list_looks` | List all saved looks with descriptions and box counts |
| `atem_delete_look` | Delete a saved look |
### Audio Mixer (Fairlight + Classic)
Audio tools auto-detect the mixer type. **Fairlight** is used on ATEM Mini Extreme, Constellation, and newer models. **Classic** is used on ATEM Mini, Mini Pro, and older models.
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_set_audio_mixer_input` | Set input gain, fader, balance, mix mode (Fairlight or Classic) |
| `atem_set_audio_master_output` | Set master output gain/fader |
| `atem_get_audio_state` | Get full audio mixer state (reports mixer type) |
### Fairlight EQ & Dynamics
Full parametric EQ, compressor, limiter, and gate/expander control for ATEM models with Fairlight audio (Mini Extreme, Constellation, and newer). Includes EQ presets for common use cases.
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `atem_set_fairlight_eq` | Set individual EQ band (shape, frequency, gain, Q) on an input |
| `atem_set_fairlight_eq_preset` | Apply EQ preset: vocal, podcast, music, de_mud, or flat |
| `atem_set_fairlight_compressor` | Set compressor (threshold, ratio, attack, hold, release) |
| `atem_set_fairlight_limiter` | Set limiter (threshold, attack, hold, release) |
| `atem_set_fairlight_gate` | Set noise gate/expander (threshold, range, ratio, attack, release) |
| `atem_get_fairlight_eq_state` | Get full EQ + dynamics state for an input |
| `atem_set_fairlight_master_eq` | Set EQ band on master output |
| `atem_set_fairlight_master_compressor` | Set compressor on master output |
| `atem_set_fairlight_master_limiter` | Set limiter on master output |
| `atem_set_fairlight_makeup_gain` | Set makeup gain on an input |
| `atem_reset_fairlight_dynamics` | Reset compressor/limiter/gate to factory defaults |
| `atem_reset_fairlight_eq` | Reset EQ to factory defaults |
## Common Input IDs
| ID | Source |
|----|--------|
| 1–20 | Physical SDI/HDMI inputs |
| 1000 | Color Bars |
| 2001 | Color Generator 1 |
| 2002 | Color Generator 2 |
| 3010 | Media Player 1 |
| 3011 | Media Player 1 Key |
| 3020 | Media Player 2 |
| 3021 | Media Player 2 Key |
| 6000 | Super Source |
| 10010 | Black |
| 10011 | Clean Feed 1 (Program) |
| 10012 | Clean Feed 2 |
## Example Conversations
**Basic switching:**
> "Put camera 1 on program"
> "Set preview to camera 3 and do a 2-second dissolve"
> "Cut to color bars"
**Show setup:**
> "Set transition style to mix with a 45-frame rate"
> "Route camera 1 to aux 1 for the confidence monitor"
> "Put DSK1 on air for the lower third graphic"
**Streaming/Recording:**
> "Start streaming and recording"
> "What's the recording status?"
> "Stop streaming but keep recording"
**Audio (Fairlight & Classic):**
> "Lower camera 2 audio by 5 dB"
> "Set camera 1 audio to audio-follow-video mode"
> "Mute audio on input 3"
> "Set master output to -3dB"
> "Show me the audio mixer state"
**Fairlight EQ & Dynamics:**
> "Apply vocal EQ preset to mic 1"
> "Boost presence at 3kHz on camera 2 audio"
> "Add a compressor to mic 1 — 4:1 ratio, threshold at -20dB"
> "Gate mic 2 so it cuts off below -40dB"
> "Put a limiter on the master at -3dB"
> "Show me the EQ and dynamics state for input 1"
> "Reset all EQ on camera 1 to flat"
**Gallery & Active Speaker:**
> "Go gallery"
> "Go gallery with guests on cameras 2, 3, and 5"
> "Cut to active speaker"
> "Auto switch" *(starts following the active speaker continuously)*
> "Auto switch host + active speaker" *(host full-screen when talking, side-by-side when guest talks)*
> "Auto switch off"
> "Set up a side-by-side with cameras 1 and 2"
> "Cut to host with 3"
**Save & Recall Looks:**
> "Save this look as podcast4"
> "Load podcast4"
> "Load podcast4 with cameras 2, 3, 6, 7" *(reuses layout geometry with different sources)*
> "What looks do I have saved?"
> "Delete the old_test look"
## Architecture
This server uses the **atem-connection** library (by NRK/Sofie TV Automation) which implements Blackmagic's proprietary ATEM protocol over UDP. It's the same protocol that ATEM Software Control uses, so all changes are reflected in real time across all connected clients.
The MCP server wraps `atem-connection` methods as MCP tools that Claude (or any MCP-compatible AI) can call. Each tool maps to one or more ATEM commands.
**Transport modes:**
- **stdio** (default) — for Claude Desktop, Cursor, and local MCP clients
- **HTTP** (`TRANSPORT=http`) — Streamable HTTP with OAuth 2.0, for claude.ai, Claude Mobile, and remote access. Uses Express + raw `http.createServer` for proper header handling with the MCP SDK.
## Live Show Usage
When using this server to control an ATEM during a live production, you need every command to execute instantly — no confirmation dialogs, no approval prompts, no delays. The experience varies by client:
### Client Behavior
| Client | Tool Approval | Best For |
|--------|--------------|----------|
| **claude.ai** | No approval needed — tools run immediately | Live shows, remote control |
| **Claude Mobile** | No approval needed — tools run immediately | On-the-go control |
| **Claude Desktop** | No approval needed — tools run immediately | Local production control |
| **Claude Code (CLI)** | Requires approval for each tool call | Development and testing only |
| **Cursor** | May require approval depending on settings | Development and testing |
**For live production, use claude.ai, Claude Mobile, or Claude Desktop.** These clients execute MCP tool calls without interruption — you say *"cut to camera 2"* and it happens immediately.
Claude Code (the terminal CLI) is designed for software development and has a safety system that prompts for approval before running tools. This is great for coding but unsuitable for live switching where every second counts.
### Pre-Show Checklist
Run through this checklist before going live to catch issues early:
1. **Verify connection** — *"Show me the switcher status"*
2. **Test switching** — *"Put camera 1 on preview, then cut to it"*
3. **Test transitions** — *"Set transition to mix at 30 frames and dissolve to camera 2"*
4. **Test audio** — *"Show me the audio mixer state"*
5. **Test recording/streaming** — *"Start recording"* → verify → *"Stop recording"*
6. **Test Super Source** (if using) — *"Set up a side-by-side with cameras 1 and 2"*
7. **Set your show defaults** — transition style, rate, audio levels, EQ presets
### Tips for Live Production
- **Set `ATEM_HOST`** in your environment so the server auto-connects on startup — no need to manually connect each time
- **Use specific language** — *"Cut to camera 3"* is faster than *"Can you switch to the third camera please?"*
- **Combine commands** — *"Put camera 2 on preview and dissolve to it"* executes as a single `preview_and_auto` call
- **Keep a fallback** — Always have ATEM Software Control or a hardware panel available in case of network issues
## Troubleshooting
**Hammer icon not showing in Claude Desktop:**
- Make sure you're using the full path to `node` (run `which node`)
- Check logs: `~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log`
- Restart Claude Desktop completely (quit, not just close window)
**Can't connect to ATEM:**
- Verify the ATEM is on the same network
- Try pinging the ATEM IP from terminal
- Default ATEM port is 9910 (UDP)
- Make sure ATEM Software Control isn't blocking the connection
**claude.ai connector shows auth error:**
- Check Cloudflare "Block AI training bots" is set to "Do not block" (see [Cloudflare section](#critical-disable-cloudflare-ai-bot-blocking))
- Check **Security > Analytics > Events** in Cloudflare dashboard for blocked requests
- Verify `BASE_URL` matches your public tunnel URL exactly
- Test with `curl -X POST https://your-url/mcp` — should return 401 JSON (not 403 HTML)
**HTTP server returns 406 Not Acceptable:**
- The MCP SDK requires `Accept: application/json, text/event-stream` but some clients send `Accept: */*`
- The server includes a built-in workaround that patches the Accept header at the raw HTTP level
**Commands not working:**
- Some features require specific ATEM models (e.g., streaming/recording on Mini Pro+)
- Check `atem_get_status` to verify connection
## Credits
* **Guy Cochran** ([Office Hours Global](https://officehours.global)) — Creator and project lead
* **Claude** by [Anthropic](https://anthropic.com) — AI pair-programming partner
- **atem-connection** by [NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation)](https://github.com/nrkno/sofie-atem-connection) — the ATEM protocol library
- **MCP TypeScript SDK** by [Anthropic](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/typescript-sdk)
## License
MIT
