Houdini MCP

OpenAI-compatible Model Context Protocol server for SideFX Houdini.

Repository: github.com/alexantoshuk/houdini-mcp

Works with any agent path available in Zed:

Architecture

Zed agents  --stdio MCP-->  houdini-mcp (Python)
                               |
                               +-- mock backend (tests / offline)
                               +-- TCP JSON-lines --> Houdini bridge (hou.*)

Related MCP server: Houdini MCP Server

Quick start

pip install -e .
python -m houdini_mcp --mock   # offline smoke

Zed

.\scripts\install_zed.ps1

Then in Zed: Extensions → Install Dev Extension → select this repo folder.

Or add manually to %APPDATA%\Zed\settings.json:

"context_servers": {
  "houdini-mcp": {
    "command": "C:/Python310/python.exe",
    "args": ["-m", "houdini_mcp"],
    "env": {
      "HOUDINI_MCP_HOST": "127.0.0.1",
      "HOUDINI_MCP_PORT": "18812"
    }
  }
}

Green status under Settings → AI → MCP Servers means the server is active for all Zed agents.

Live Houdini

.\scripts\install_houdini_package.ps1

Restart Houdini. The bridge autostarts on 127.0.0.1:18812 via scripts/123.py.

Manual start inside Houdini Python Shell:

import houdini_mcp_bridge
houdini_mcp_bridge.start_server(port=18812)

Tools (OpenAI-style)

Focused tools with input schemas + safety annotations (readOnlyHint / destructiveHint):

• get_scene_info, list_nodes, get_node

• create_node, set_parameter, connect_nodes, delete_node

• execute_python, save_hip, load_hip, list_node_types

• OpenAI company-knowledge pair: search, fetch

Also exposes resource houdini://scene/info and prompt houdini_starter_network.

Transports

Tests

pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest -q

Environment