HoudiniMCP

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node_edit

Destructive

Build and modify Houdini node networks in one undo group: create, delete, copy, move, rename, color, or lay out nodes, and set flags, materials, takes, notes, or wrangle code.

Instructions

Change the nodes in a network. One item, or a list in one undo group.

Use it to build a network. Then use parm_set for the values, and connect
for the wires.

Do not use it to set parameters: parm_set does that, and it reports a write
that had no effect.

mode, and the arguments that each mode reads:
    "create"           — node_type, parent_path, name, position,
                         parameters, input_path. context selects the
                         network kind: "sop" (default), "cop", "chop",
                         "lop", "material_network".
    "delete"           — path, of a node, a sticky note or a network box.
    "copy"             — paths (or path), destination_path, suffix,
                         names. Copies a set of nodes with the wires
                         between them; a wire from outside the set goes to
                         the same node. suffix is added to each name, or
                         names maps a source path or name to a new name.
                         Returns `copies`, each source path with the path
                         of its copy: use that map, never the order of a
                         list. Without destination_path the copies go to
                         the right of the sources.
    "move"             — path with destination_path to put it in another
                         network, or path with position to move it on the
                         canvas.
    "rename"           — path, new_name.
    "flags"            — path, display, render, bypass. The display flag
                         and the render flag are different flags.
    "color"            — path, color as [r, g, b] from 0 to 1.
    "layout"           — path: lay out the children of that network in
                         rows, each node under its inputs. Give `paths` to
                         place only those nodes next to what they connect
                         to. Without it the whole network moves, including
                         the nodes the user placed by hand, and the result
                         says so.
    "wrangle"          — parent_path with code to make a wrangle, or path
                         with code to write into one. code_file reads the
                         code from a file, so a long snippet travels once.
                         replace edits a snippet in place: a list of
                         {"old": ..., "new": ...}, and each `old` must
                         appear exactly once.
    "material"         — path, material_type, name, parameters.
    "assign_material"  — path, material_path.
    "take"             — name to make a take, or take_name to select one.
    "current_network"  — path: what the network editor shows.
    "note"             — parent_path, text, position, color: a sticky
                         note. Without position it goes to the right of
                         the nodes.
    "box"              — paths, text, color: a network box around those
                         nodes, with text as its comment.

Returns JSON. Houdini adds a numeric suffix when a name is already used, so
read the path in the result and use that path from then on. Never look the
node up again by the name you asked for.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`code`	No	wrangle: the VEX snippet.
`mode`	No	One of "create", "delete", "copy", "move", "rename", "flags", "color", "layout", "wrangle", "material", "assign_material", "take", "current_network", "note", "box".	create
`name`	No	create, material: the name of the new node. take: the name of a new take.
`path`	No	The node to change. layout: the network. delete: a node, a sticky note or a network box.
`text`	No	note: the text of the note. box: the comment of the box.
`color`	No	color, note, box: [r, g, b] from 0 to 1.
`items`	No	A list of items for a repeated action, each a dictionary with the keys of one call. An argument outside items is the default for each one.
`names`	No	copy: a new name for each source, by source path or name.
`paths`	No	copy: the nodes to copy. layout: place only these nodes. box: the nodes to put in the box.
`bypass`	No	flags: the bypass flag.
`render`	No	flags: the render flag, which is not the display flag.
`suffix`	No	copy: text added to the name of each copy.
`context`	No	create: the network kind, "sop" (default), "cop", "chop", "lop" or "material_network".
`display`	No	flags: the display flag.
`replace`	No	wrangle: edit the snippet in place, a list of {"old": ..., "new": ...}. Each old must appear exactly once.
`new_name`	No	rename: the new name.
`position`	No	create, move, note: [x, y] on the canvas.
`code_file`	No	wrangle: read the VEX from this file, so a long snippet travels once.
`node_type`	No	create: the node type, for example "box" or "attribwrangle".
`take_name`	No	take: the take to make current.
`input_path`	No	create: the node that feeds the new node. It saves a connect call and places the node under its input.
`parameters`	No	create, material: values to set on the new node, by parameter name.
`parent_path`	No	create, wrangle, note: the network that gets the new node.
`material_path`	No	assign_material: the material node.
`material_type`	No	material: the shader type, for example "principledshader".
`destination_path`	No	copy, move: the network to put the nodes in.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`result`	Yes

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed131 schema fields changedv0.7.3Oct 4, 2026

removedInput schema / properties / bypass / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "boolean"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / bypass / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
addedInput schema / properties / bypass / description
```
Added value: +"flags: the bypass flag."
```
removedInput schema / properties / bypass / title
```
Removed value: -"Bypass"
```
addedInput schema / properties / bypass / type
```
Added value: +"boolean"
```

removedInput schema / properties / code / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / code / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
addedInput schema / properties / code / description
```
Added value: +"wrangle: the VEX snippet."
```
removedInput schema / properties / code / title
```
Removed value: -"Code"
```
addedInput schema / properties / code / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / code_file / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / code_file / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / code_file / description

Added value: +"wrangle: read the VEX from this file, so a long snippet travels once."

removedInput schema / properties / code_file / title
```
Removed value: -"Code File"
```
addedInput schema / properties / code_file / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / color / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "items": {
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "type": "array"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / color / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / color / description

Added value: +"color, note, box: [r, g, b] from 0 to 1."

addedInput schema / properties / color / items
```
Added value: +{
+  "type": "number"
+}
```
removedInput schema / properties / color / title
```
Removed value: -"Color"
```
addedInput schema / properties / color / type
```
Added value: +"array"
```

removedInput schema / properties / context / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / context / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / context / description

Added value: +"create: the network kind, \"sop\" (default), \"cop\", \"chop\", \"lop\" or \"material_network\"."

removedInput schema / properties / context / title
```
Removed value: -"Context"
```
addedInput schema / properties / context / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / destination_path / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / destination_path / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / destination_path / description

Added value: +"copy, move: the network to put the nodes in."

removedInput schema / properties / destination_path / title
```
Removed value: -"Destination Path"
```
addedInput schema / properties / destination_path / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / display / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "boolean"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / display / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
addedInput schema / properties / display / description
```
Added value: +"flags: the display flag."
```
removedInput schema / properties / display / title
```
Removed value: -"Display"
```
addedInput schema / properties / display / type
```
Added value: +"boolean"
```

removedInput schema / properties / input_path / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / input_path / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / input_path / description

Added value: +"create: the node that feeds the new node. It saves a connect call and places the node under its input."

removedInput schema / properties / input_path / title
```
Removed value: -"Input Path"
```
addedInput schema / properties / input_path / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

changedInput schema / properties / items / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": true,
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "items": {
-      "additionalProperties": true,
-      "type": "object"
-    },
-    "type": "array"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "additionalProperties": true,
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "items": {
+      "additionalProperties": true,
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "type": "array"
+  }
+]

removedInput schema / properties / items / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / items / description

Added value: +"A list of items for a repeated action, each a dictionary with the keys of one call. An argument outside items is the default for each one."

removedInput schema / properties / items / title
```
Removed value: -"Items"
```

removedInput schema / properties / material_path / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / material_path / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
addedInput schema / properties / material_path / description
```
Added value: +"assign_material: the material node."
```
removedInput schema / properties / material_path / title
```
Removed value: -"Material Path"
```
addedInput schema / properties / material_path / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / material_type / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / material_type / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / material_type / description

Added value: +"material: the shader type, for example \"principledshader\"."

removedInput schema / properties / material_type / title
```
Removed value: -"Material Type"
```
addedInput schema / properties / material_type / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / mode / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedInput schema / properties / mode / description

Added value: +"One of \"create\", \"delete\", \"copy\", \"move\", \"rename\", \"flags\", \"color\", \"layout\", \"wrangle\", \"material\", \"assign_material\", \"take\", \"current_network\", \"note\", \"box\"."

removedInput schema / properties / mode / title
```
Removed value: -"Mode"
```
addedInput schema / properties / mode / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / name / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / name / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / name / description

Added value: +"create, material: the name of the new node. take: the name of a new take."

removedInput schema / properties / name / title
```
Removed value: -"Name"
```
addedInput schema / properties / name / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```
addedInput schema / properties / names / additionalProperties
```
Added value: +{
+  "type": "string"
+}
```

removedInput schema / properties / names / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / names / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / names / description

Added value: +"copy: a new name for each source, by source path or name."

removedInput schema / properties / names / title
```
Removed value: -"Names"
```
addedInput schema / properties / names / type
```
Added value: +"object"
```

removedInput schema / properties / new_name / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / new_name / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
addedInput schema / properties / new_name / description
```
Added value: +"rename: the new name."
```
removedInput schema / properties / new_name / title
```
Removed value: -"New Name"
```
addedInput schema / properties / new_name / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / node_type / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / node_type / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / node_type / description

Added value: +"create: the node type, for example \"box\" or \"attribwrangle\"."

removedInput schema / properties / node_type / title
```
Removed value: -"Node Type"
```
addedInput schema / properties / node_type / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```
addedInput schema / properties / parameters / additionalProperties
```
Added value: +true
```

removedInput schema / properties / parameters / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": true,
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / parameters / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / parameters / description

Added value: +"create, material: values to set on the new node, by parameter name."

removedInput schema / properties / parameters / title
```
Removed value: -"Parameters"
```
addedInput schema / properties / parameters / type
```
Added value: +"object"
```

removedInput schema / properties / parent_path / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / parent_path / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / parent_path / description

Added value: +"create, wrangle, note: the network that gets the new node."

removedInput schema / properties / parent_path / title
```
Removed value: -"Parent Path"
```
addedInput schema / properties / parent_path / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / path / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / path / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / path / description

Added value: +"The node to change. layout: the network. delete: a node, a sticky note or a network box."

removedInput schema / properties / path / title
```
Removed value: -"Path"
```
addedInput schema / properties / path / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / paths / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "items": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "type": "array"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / paths / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / paths / description

Added value: +"copy: the nodes to copy. layout: place only these nodes. box: the nodes to put in the box."

addedInput schema / properties / paths / items
```
Added value: +{
+  "type": "string"
+}
```
removedInput schema / properties / paths / title
```
Removed value: -"Paths"
```
addedInput schema / properties / paths / type
```
Added value: +"array"
```

removedInput schema / properties / position / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "items": {
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "type": "array"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / position / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / position / description

Added value: +"create, move, note: [x, y] on the canvas."

addedInput schema / properties / position / items
```
Added value: +{
+  "type": "number"
+}
```
removedInput schema / properties / position / title
```
Removed value: -"Position"
```
addedInput schema / properties / position / type
```
Added value: +"array"
```

removedInput schema / properties / render / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "boolean"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / render / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / render / description

Added value: +"flags: the render flag, which is not the display flag."

removedInput schema / properties / render / title
```
Removed value: -"Render"
```
addedInput schema / properties / render / type
```
Added value: +"boolean"
```

removedInput schema / properties / replace / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "items": {
-      "additionalProperties": {
-        "type": "string"
-      },
-      "type": "object"
-    },
-    "type": "array"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / replace / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / replace / description

Added value: +"wrangle: edit the snippet in place, a list of {\"old\": ..., \"new\": ...}. Each old must appear exactly once."

addedInput schema / properties / replace / items

Added value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  "type": "object"
+}

removedInput schema / properties / replace / title
```
Removed value: -"Replace"
```
addedInput schema / properties / replace / type
```
Added value: +"array"
```

removedInput schema / properties / suffix / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / suffix / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

addedInput schema / properties / suffix / description

Added value: +"copy: text added to the name of each copy."

removedInput schema / properties / suffix / title
```
Removed value: -"Suffix"
```
addedInput schema / properties / suffix / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

removedInput schema / properties / take_name / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedInput schema / properties / take_name / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
addedInput schema / properties / take_name / description
```
Added value: +"take: the take to make current."
```
removedInput schema / properties / take_name / title
```
Removed value: -"Take Name"
```
addedInput schema / properties / take_name / type
```
Added value: +"string"
```

addedInput schema / properties / text

Added value: +{
+  "description": "note: the text of the note. box: the comment of the box.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

removedInput schema / title
```
Removed value: -"toolArguments"
```

Addedv0.1.1Oct 4, 2026

TDQS

A4.6/5.0

Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already flag destructiveHint=true, readOnlyHint=false. The description adds real value beyond them: undo-group batching, the warning that 'layout' moves hand-placed nodes, that delete also removes sticky notes/boxes, copy wire-following behavior, and the critical Houdini auto-suffix caveat plus 'never look the node up again by the name you asked for.'

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Long, but for a 26-param, 15-mode dispatcher the length is justified and heavily structured with a mode-to-arguments table. The purpose and the parm_set/connect routing are front-loaded. Slightly dense but no clearly wasted sentence.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity, nested params, and 15 modes, the description is complete: it covers argument selection per mode, undo semantics, and the key post-call invariant about reading the returned path. An output schema exists, so return-value details are not required here.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3, but the description goes further by grouping arguments by mode and stating cross-parameter interactions (path vs destination_path for move, replace's 'must appear exactly once' rule, code_file for long snippets) that the flat schema does not convey.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb (change/edit) and resource (nodes in a network) and immediately distinguishes itself from siblings by naming parm_set for values and connect for wires. The mode list makes the full scope of the tool concrete.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Explicitly routes the agent: build the network with this, set values with parm_set, make wires with connect, and 'Do not use it to set parameters: parm_set does that.' This is textbook when/when-not/alternative guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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