Strudel MCP Server

MCP License: MIT Node.js

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables LLMs to work with Strudel - a live coding environment for music patterns. This server allows AI assistants to parse, analyze, generate, and transform Strudel patterns.

What is Strudel?

Strudel is a JavaScript port of TidalCycles, a live coding environment for creating music through code. It uses a concise "mini notation" to express complex rhythmic patterns:

s("bd sd [hh hh] cp") // kick, snare, two hi-hats, clap

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that enables AI assistants to interact with external tools and services. This server exposes Strudel's pattern engine to any MCP-compatible client.

Features

Pattern Analysis - Parse mini notation, query pattern events, validate syntax
Music Theory - Access scales, chords, and voicings
Code Generation - Generate patterns by style (drums, bass, melody, chords, ambient)
Pattern Transformation - Apply transformations like fast, slow, rev, jux
Reference - List available functions, sounds, and samples

Installation

Prerequisites

Node.js 18 or higher
npm or pnpm

Setup

# Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/strudel-mcp.git cd strudel-mcp # Install dependencies npm install # Build the project npm run build

Usage

With Claude Desktop

Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:

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

{ "mcpServers": { "strudel": { "command": "node", "args": ["/absolute/path/to/strudel-mcp/dist/index.js"] } } }

Then restart Claude Desktop.

With Claude Code

claude mcp add strudel node /absolute/path/to/strudel-mcp/dist/index.js

With MCP Inspector

Test the server interactively:

npm run inspect

Available Tools

Pattern Analysis

Tool	Description	Example Input
`strudel_parse_mini`	Parse mini notation to AST	`{"notation": "bd sd [hh hh] cp"}`
`strudel_query_pattern`	Query events in time range	`{"code": "bd sd", "startCycle": 0, "endCycle": 2}`
`strudel_validate_code`	Validate syntax	`{"code": "bd sd [hh hh]"}`
`strudel_explain_pattern`	Human-readable explanation	`{"notation": "bd(3,8)"}`

Music Theory

Tool	Description	Example Input
`strudel_list_scales`	List available scales	`{"filter": "minor"}`
`strudel_get_scale`	Get notes in a scale	`{"scale": "pentatonic minor", "root": "A"}`
`strudel_list_chords`	List chord types	`{}`
`strudel_get_voicing`	Get chord voicing	`{"chord": "Cmaj7"}`

Code Generation

Tool	Description	Example Input
`strudel_generate_pattern`	Generate pattern by style	`{"style": "drums", "complexity": "medium"}`
`strudel_transform_pattern`	Apply transformations	`{"code": "bd sd", "transformations": ["fast(2)", "rev"]}`

Reference

Tool	Description	Example Input
`strudel_list_functions`	List pattern functions	`{"category": "timing"}`
`strudel_list_sounds`	List built-in sounds	`{"category": "drums"}`

Examples

Parse a Pattern

User: Parse the pattern "bd sd [hh hh] cp" Tool: strudel_parse_mini Input: {"notation": "bd sd [hh hh] cp"}

Output:

{ "notation": "bd sd [hh hh] cp", "eventCount": 5, "events": [ {"value": "bd", "whole": "0 -> 0.25"}, {"value": "sd", "whole": "0.25 -> 0.5"}, {"value": "hh", "whole": "0.5 -> 0.625"}, {"value": "hh", "whole": "0.625 -> 0.75"}, {"value": "cp", "whole": "0.75 -> 1"} ] }

Generate a Drum Pattern

User: Generate a complex drum pattern Tool: strudel_generate_pattern Input: {"style": "drums", "complexity": "complex"}

Output:

{ "style": "drums", "complexity": "complex", "code": "s(\"bd(3,8), sd(2,8,1), hh*16?0.3, cp(1,4,2)\")", "explanation": "Complex polyrhythmic drums using Euclidean patterns" }

Get Scale Notes

User: What notes are in A minor pentatonic? Tool: strudel_get_scale Input: {"scale": "pentatonic minor", "root": "A"}

Output:

{ "name": "A pentatonic minor", "notes": ["A", "C", "D", "E", "G"], "usage": "n(\"0 1 2 3 4\").scale(\"A:pentatonic_minor\")" }

Development

# Build npm run build # Run directly npm start # Watch mode (rebuild on changes) npm run dev # Test with MCP Inspector npm run inspect

Project Structure

strudel-mcp/ ├── src/ │ ├── index.ts # Main server with all tools │ └── types.d.ts # TypeScript declarations for Strudel ├── dist/ # Compiled output ├── package.json ├── tsconfig.json └── README.md

Dependencies

@modelcontextprotocol/sdk - MCP SDK
@strudel/core - Strudel pattern engine
@strudel/mini - Mini notation parser
@strudel/tonal - Music theory functions
tonal - Music theory library
zod - Schema validation

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

License

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

Acknowledgments

Alex McLean and Felix Roos - Strudel creators
Anthropic - MCP specification

Strudel MCP Server

Strudel MCP Server

What is Strudel?

What is MCP?

Features

Installation

Prerequisites

Setup

Usage

With Claude Desktop

With Claude Code

With MCP Inspector

Available Tools

Pattern Analysis

Music Theory

Code Generation

Reference

Examples

Parse a Pattern

Generate a Drum Pattern

Get Scale Notes

Development

Project Structure

Dependencies

Contributing

License

Links

Acknowledgments

Resources

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