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MCP Printer Server

by steveclarke
GitHub
TypeScript
MIT License
  • Apple
  • Linux
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MCP Printer Server šŸ–Øļø

The first MCP server for printing documents on macOS/Linux! Provides AI assistants with the ability to print files, manage print queues, and control printers via the CUPS printing system.

Features

  • šŸ“„ Print files - PDF, text, and other formats

  • šŸ–Øļø List printers - See all available printers and their status

  • šŸ“‹ Manage queue - View and cancel print jobs

  • āš™ļø Configure - Set default printers

  • šŸŽÆ Smart - Supports multiple copies, landscape, duplex, and more

Installation

Option 1: Package Manager (Recommended)

# npm npm install -g mcp-printer # pnpm pnpm add -g mcp-printer # yarn yarn global add mcp-printer

Option 2: From Source

git clone https://github.com/myunio/mcp-printer.git cd mcp-printer pnpm install pnpm run build

Configuration

Add to your MCP settings file:

Claude Desktop: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Cursor: Settings ā†’ Features ā†’ MCP Servers ā†’ Edit Config

If installed globally (recommended):

{ "mcpServers": { "printer": { "command": "mcp-printer", "env": { "MCP_PRINTER_DEFAULT": "Your_Printer_Name", "MCP_PRINTER_DUPLEX": "true" } } } }

If running from source:

{ "mcpServers": { "printer": { "command": "node", "args": ["/path/to/mcp-printer/dist/index.js"], "env": { "MCP_PRINTER_DEFAULT": "Your_Printer_Name", "MCP_PRINTER_DUPLEX": "true" } } } }

Configuration Options

Configure via environment variables (all optional):

  • MCP_PRINTER_DEFAULT: Default printer to use when none specified

  • MCP_PRINTER_DUPLEX: Set to "true" to print double-sided by default

  • MCP_PRINTER_OPTIONS: Additional CUPS options (e.g., "fit-to-page", "landscape")

Example with all options:

"env": { "MCP_PRINTER_DEFAULT": "HP_LaserJet_Pro", "MCP_PRINTER_DUPLEX": "true", "MCP_PRINTER_OPTIONS": "fit-to-page" }

šŸ’” Tip: Run lpstat -p in your terminal to see your exact printer names.

User-specified options in prompts always override these defaults.

Available Tools

list_printers

List all available printers with their status.

Example:

AI: Let me check what printers you have... ā†’ HP_LaserJet_4001 is idle and accepting jobs ā†’ Canon_Pixma is disabled

print_file

Print a file to a specified printer.

Parameters:

  • file_path (required) - Full path to file

  • printer (optional) - Printer name

  • copies (optional) - Number of copies (default: 1)

  • options (optional) - CUPS options like landscape, sides=two-sided-long-edge

Example:

User: Print README.md to my HP LaserJet, 2 copies AI: *prints file* āœ“ File sent to printer: HP_LaserJet_4001 Copies: 2 File: /path/to/README.md

get_print_queue

Check the print queue for pending jobs.

Parameters:

  • printer (optional) - Specific printer to check

Example:

AI: Let me check your print queue... ā†’ Job 123: document.pdf (active) ā†’ Job 124: notes.txt (pending)

cancel_print_job

Cancel a print job.

Parameters:

  • job_id (optional) - Specific job to cancel

  • printer (optional) - Printer name

  • cancel_all (optional) - Cancel all jobs for printer

Example:

User: Cancel job 123 AI: āœ“ Cancelled job: 123

get_default_printer

Get the current default printer.

Example:

AI: Your default printer is: HP_LaserJet_4001

set_default_printer

Set a printer as the default.

Parameters:

  • printer (required) - Printer name

Example:

User: Make HP LaserJet my default printer AI: āœ“ Set default printer to: HP_LaserJet_4001

Usage Examples

Print Documentation

User: Print all the markdown files in docs/ AI: Let me do that for you... *prints setup.md* *prints guide.md* *prints reference.md* āœ“ Printed 3 files to HP_LaserJet_Pro

Print with Options

User: Print this PDF in landscape, double-sided AI: *prints with options: landscape, sides=two-sided-long-edge*

Manage Queue

User: What's in my print queue? AI: You have 2 jobs: - Job 125: report.pdf (printing) - Job 126: invoice.pdf (pending) User: Cancel job 126 AI: āœ“ Cancelled job: 126

Supported File Types

The server uses CUPS, which supports:

  • āœ… PDF

  • āœ… Plain text

  • āœ… PostScript

  • āœ… Images (JPEG, PNG via conversion)

  • āš ļø Office docs (may need conversion to PDF first)

CUPS Options

Common options you can pass via the options parameter:

  • landscape - Print in landscape orientation

  • sides=two-sided-long-edge - Double-sided (long edge)

  • sides=two-sided-short-edge - Double-sided (short edge)

  • page-ranges=1-5 - Print specific pages

  • media=Letter or media=A4 - Paper size

  • fit-to-page - Scale to fit page

Troubleshooting

"Printer not found"

Run lpstat -p in terminal to see exact printer names. They often have underscores instead of spaces.

"Permission denied"

Ensure CUPS is running: sudo cupsctl

"File format not supported"

Convert to PDF first: cupsfilter -i application/pdf -o output.pdf input.docx

Server not showing in Cursor

  1. Restart Cursor after updating MCP config

  2. Check Developer Tools ā†’ Console for errors

  3. Verify the path to dist/index.js is correct

Development

# Watch mode pnpm run dev # Build pnpm run build # Test locally echo "Hello from MCP Printer Server!" > test.txt # Then ask AI to print test.txt

Requirements

  • macOS or Linux - Uses CUPS printing system

    • macOS: CUPS is built-in

    • Linux: Install CUPS if not present (sudo apt install cups on Ubuntu/Debian)

  • Node.js 18+

  • Printers configured in your system

Security Note

This server executes system print commands. Only use with trusted AI assistants in secure environments.

License

MIT

Contributing

This is the first MCP printer server! Contributions welcome:

  • Windows support (using Windows Print Spooler)

  • More print options

  • Better error handling

  • Testing on various Linux distributions

You're now the first person with an AI that can print! šŸŽ‰šŸ–Øļø

Deploy Server
A
security ā€“ no known vulnerabilities
-
license - not tested
A
quality - confirmed to work

How are these scores calculated?

local-only server

The server can only run on the client's local machine because it depends on local resources.

Tools

Enables AI assistants to print documents, manage print queues, and control printers on macOS/Linux systems via the CUPS printing system. Supports printing PDFs, text files, and other formats with options like duplex printing, landscape orientation, and multiple copies.

  1. Features
    1. Installation
      1. Option 1: Package Manager (Recommended)
      2. Option 2: From Source
    2. Configuration
      1. If installed globally (recommended):
      2. If running from source:
      3. Configuration Options
    3. Available Tools
      1. list_printers
      2. print_file
      3. get_print_queue
      4. cancel_print_job
      5. get_default_printer
      6. set_default_printer
    4. Usage Examples
      1. Print Documentation
      2. Print with Options
      3. Manage Queue
    5. Supported File Types
      1. CUPS Options
        1. Troubleshooting
          1. "Printer not found"
          2. "Permission denied"
          3. "File format not supported"
          4. Server not showing in Cursor
        2. Development
          1. Requirements
            1. Security Note
              1. License
                1. Contributing

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