Click on "Deploy Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type @ followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@Lightroom MCP Elite Apply a cinematic teal-orange grade to the selected photos and sync the preset"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
lightroom-mcp-elite)
A high-performance, native Python Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Adobe Lightroom Classic on macOS, featuring Develop controls, batch preset syncing, catalog curation, and seamless round-trip handoff with Adobe Photoshop.
Category | Features |
Develop & Grading | Full control over Lightroom Develop engine: Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, Clarity, Dehaze, Vibrance, White Balance, HSL, and Tone Curves. |
Preset Management | Discover, inspect, apply, and save custom Develop presets. |
Photoshop Co-op | Round-trip handoff ( |
Catalog Curation | Search photos, star ratings (0–5), keywords, collections, and export. |
Robust Architecture | Python native socket client with automatic token retrieval from |
Related MCP server: Photoshop MCP Server
macOS with Adobe Lightroom Classic (installed and running)
LightroomMCP.lrplugin installed in Lightroom Classic (File > Plug-in Manager)
uv or Python 3.12+
git clone https://github.com/baramesh/lightroom-mcp-elite.git
cd lightroom-mcp-eliteUsing uv:
uv syncAdd lightroom to your MCP configuration (~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json or Claude Desktop):
{
"mcpServers": {
"lightroom": {
"command": "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/.local/bin/uv",
"args": [
"run",
"--directory",
"/path/to/lightroom-mcp-elite",
"python",
"server.py"
]
}
}
}SKILL.md)This repository includes a ready-to-use Agent Skill in skill/SKILL.md with:
Non-destructive RAW development principles.
Golden Example for Lightroom + Photoshop round-trip retouching (skill/examples/lightroom_photoshop_coop.md).
MIT License. See LICENSE for details.
Add photos to an existing collection.
Inputs: photo_ids (required), collection_id (required). Returns: object
Apply a Develop preset to a specified photo.
Inputs: photo_id (required), preset_name (required). Returns: object
Compare two Develop presets and return a deterministic per-setting diff.
Inputs: base (required), candidate (required). Returns: object
Sync all Develop adjustments from a source photo to multiple target photos.
Inputs: source_photo_id (required), target_photo_ids (required). Returns: object
Create a new collection in the active catalog.
Inputs: name (required), parent_set_id. Returns: object
Save specified Develop settings as a new preset in Lightroom Classic.
Inputs: name (required), folder (required), settings (required). Returns: object
Export one exact custom or plugin-managed Develop preset backing file.
Inputs: destination_dir (required), filename, preset_name, preset_uuid, +2 more. Returns: object
Export selected photos to disk with specified format and quality.
Inputs: photo_ids (required), output_dir (required), quality, format_type. Returns: object
Inspect internal adjustment parameters stored inside a Develop preset.
Inputs: preset_name (required). Returns: object
Get detailed metadata (EXIF, camera, lens, dimensions, and develop parameters) for a photo.
Inputs: photo_id (required). Returns: object
Get currently selected photos in Lightroom Classic (or filmstrip if none selected).
Inputs: limit, offset. Returns: object
Import photos into Lightroom Classic catalog.
Inputs: source_path (required), copy_to, collection_name. Returns: object
Import a retouched master photo back into Lightroom Classic and organize into a collection.
Inputs: file_path (required), collection_name. Returns: object
Add photos to an existing collection.
Inputs: photo_ids (required), collection_id (required). Returns: object
Apply a Develop preset to a specified photo.
Inputs: photo_id (required), preset_name (required). Returns: object
Compare two Develop presets and return a deterministic per-setting diff.
Inputs: base (required), candidate (required). Returns: object
Sync all Develop adjustments from a source photo to multiple target photos.
Inputs: source_photo_id (required), target_photo_ids (required). Returns: object
Create a new collection in the active catalog.
Inputs: name (required), parent_set_id. Returns: object
Save specified Develop settings as a new preset in Lightroom Classic.
Inputs: name (required), folder (required), settings (required). Returns: object
Export one exact custom or plugin-managed Develop preset backing file.
Inputs: destination_dir (required), filename, preset_name, preset_uuid, +2 more. Returns: object
Export selected photos to disk with specified format and quality.
Inputs: photo_ids (required), output_dir (required), quality, format_type. Returns: object
Inspect internal adjustment parameters stored inside a Develop preset.
Inputs: preset_name (required). Returns: object
Get detailed metadata (EXIF, camera, lens, dimensions, and develop parameters) for a photo.
Inputs: photo_id (required). Returns: object
Get currently selected photos in Lightroom Classic (or filmstrip if none selected).
Inputs: limit, offset. Returns: object
Import photos into Lightroom Classic catalog.
Inputs: source_path (required), copy_to, collection_name. Returns: object
Import a retouched master photo back into Lightroom Classic and organize into a collection.
Inputs: file_path (required), collection_name. Returns: object
List all collections and collection sets in the catalog.
Inputs: no named parameters. Returns: object
List all Lightroom Develop presets available in the catalog.
Inputs: no named parameters. Returns: object
Search photos in Lightroom Classic by text, star rating, pick flag, or color label.
Inputs: flag, limit, query, rating, +1 more. Returns: object
Send a photo from Lightroom Classic directly into Adobe Photoshop for advanced retouching or Firefly AI inpainting.
Inputs: photo_id (required). Returns: object
Set Develop adjustments directly on a photo (Exposure2012, Highlights2012, Shadows2012, Clarity2012, Dehaze, Vibrance, etc.).
Inputs: photo_id (required), settings (required). Returns: object
Add, remove, or replace keywords on specified photos.
Inputs: keywords (required), photo_ids (required), mode. Returns: object
Set star rating (0 to 5) on one or more photos.
Inputs: rating (required), photo_ids (required). Returns: object
List all collections and collection sets in the catalog.
Inputs: no named parameters. Returns: object
List all Lightroom Develop presets available in the catalog.
Inputs: no named parameters. Returns: object
Search photos in Lightroom Classic by text, star rating, pick flag, or color label.
Inputs: flag, limit, query, rating, +1 more. Returns: object
Send a photo from Lightroom Classic directly into Adobe Photoshop for advanced retouching or Firefly AI inpainting.
Inputs: photo_id (required). Returns: object
Set Develop adjustments directly on a photo (Exposure2012, Highlights2012, Shadows2012, Clarity2012, Dehaze, Vibrance, etc.).
Inputs: photo_id (required), settings (required). Returns: object
Add, remove, or replace keywords on specified photos.
Inputs: keywords (required), photo_ids (required), mode. Returns: object
Set star rating (0 to 5) on one or more photos.
Inputs: rating (required), photo_ids (required). Returns: object
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
Loading tool schema changelog…
Scored across 40 tools
Every tool has an exact duplicate with an identical description, one prefixed with lightroom_ and one without. An agent cannot distinguish between the two variants at all, causing severe misselection risk.
The underlying naming follows a consistent verb_noun snake_case pattern, but each tool appears twice—once with the lightroom_ prefix and once without. This dual naming is a notable inconsistency, though still readable and predictable.
40 tools is excessive for what is effectively 20 unique operations. The duplication inflates the surface area and violates the well-scoped 3-15 tool guideline.
The tool set covers core Lightroom workflows well: collections, photo search/metadata, develop settings and presets, ratings, keywords, import/export, and Photoshop round-tripping. Minor gaps exist such as no delete collection, remove from collection, or delete preset operations.
AI-cull, edit and export RAW photos locally with the imagic desktop app, from any MCP client.
Build and run visual creative-production workflows from your AI agent.
Connect your AI assistant to Blender for 3D modeling, Geometry Nodes, materials, lighting, animation, rendering and export. Inspect real scenes and viewport images, refine the result and restore checkpoints. OAuth connects your chat to Blender Bridge Desktop on an online Windows 10/11 x64 computer running Blender 4.2+. The chat can run on another device. Requires an active Blender Bridge account; 7-day trial available. AI model access is separate.
Image and video AI tools and your own pipelines, run from any AI assistant.
