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Photoshop MCP Server

by alisaitteke
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photoshop_apply_sharpen

Destructive

Sharpen a single raster layer in Photoshop by applying an Unsharp Mask with amount, radius, and threshold values. Use for layer-level sharpening, not web export or high-pass overlays.

Instructions

Apply Unsharp Mask to the active raster layer (amount, radius, threshold). This is a pixel filter on one layer, not a web-export sharpen pass.

Use when: sharpening one layer in the open document. Do NOT use when: preparing a file for the web — use photoshop_recipe_prepare_for_web. Do NOT use when: you want edge extraction for an overlay sharpen — use photoshop_apply_high_pass.

Returns: the amount, radius, and threshold applied. Preconditions: active document and a normal raster layer. Text and Smart Objects are rasterized first, which drops live type and smart-object edits. Side effects: changes pixels in one history step. Reversible with photoshop_undo.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
amountYesSharpening amount in percent (1-500)
radiusYesRadius in pixels (0.1-250)
thresholdNoThreshold levels (0-255)
document_idYesPhotoshop document id from photoshop_get_state / photoshop_list_documents. Send null or 0 to use the active document. A positive number activates that document before the tool runs. When no document is open, a stale id does not block the call.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed1 schema field changedv1.7.33
    • changedInput schema / properties / document_id / description
      Previous value: -"Photoshop document id from photoshop_get_state / photoshop_list_documents. Send null to use the active document. A number activates that document before the tool runs."New value: +"Photoshop document id from photoshop_get_state / photoshop_list_documents. Send null or 0 to use the active document. A positive number activates that document before the tool runs. When no document is open, a stale id does not block the call."
  2. Changed4 schema fields changedv1.7.32
    • addedInput schema / additionalProperties
      Added value: +false
    • changedInput schema / properties / document_id / description
      Previous value: -"Optional Photoshop document id from photoshop_get_state / photoshop_list_documents. When set, the tool activates that document before running so a UI tab switch cannot retarget the edit."New value: +"Photoshop document id from photoshop_get_state / photoshop_list_documents. Send null to use the active document. A number activates that document before the tool runs."
    • changedInput schema / properties / document_id / type
      Previous value: -"number"New value: +[
+  "number",
+  "null"
+]
    • changedInput schema / required
      Previous value: -[
-  "amount",
-  "radius"
-]New value: +[
+  "amount",
+  "radius",
+  "document_id"
+]
  3. First observedv0.1.0

TDQS

A4.7/5.0
Behavior5/5

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

Annotations declare destructive/non-readonly/non-idempotent, and the description goes well beyond them: it warns that text and Smart Objects are rasterized first, dropping live type and smart-object edits, notes the change occupies one history step, and states it is reversible via photoshop_undo. This is the kind of side-effect disclosure annotations cannot carry.

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

Conciseness5/5

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

Front-loads the core operation, then uses clearly labeled Use/Do NOT use/Returns/Preconditions/Side effects blocks. Every sentence conveys actionable information with no filler.

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?

With no output schema, the description supplies the return values, the preconditions on document/layer state, and the destructive side effects plus reversal path. An agent has everything needed to decide and to call correctly.

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

Parameters3/5

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

Schema description coverage is 100%, so amount, radius, threshold and document_id are fully documented in the schema. The description's parenthetical (amount, radius, threshold) simply restates them, adding no new syntax or format detail. Baseline 3 is appropriate when the schema does the heavy lifting.

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 (Apply Unsharp Mask) and resource (the active raster layer) with the exact parameters named, and explicitly distinguishes itself from a web-export sharpen pass. An agent can tell this apart from photoshop_recipe_prepare_for_web and photoshop_apply_high_pass without opening any schema.

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?

Provides explicit 'Use when' and two 'Do NOT use when' clauses, each routing to a named alternative (photoshop_recipe_prepare_for_web, photoshop_apply_high_pass). This is the strongest tier of when/when-not 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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