Integrates with SideFX Houdini through a local plugin, enabling MCP clients to interact with a running Houdini instance. Supports package installation, configurable connection settings, and custom workflow content.
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., "@Houdini MCP create a sphere and a camera in the current Houdini scene"
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.
An MCP server for SideFX Houdini.
Create a virtual environment and install the server:
uv venv
uv pip install -e .Install the Houdini package file:
.venv/bin/houdini-mcp installThis writes houdini_mcp.json into the detected Houdini packages directories, for example ~/houdini21.0/packages.
Use --packages-dir PATH if detection is wrong.
Point your MCP client at the server:
{
"mcpServers": {
"houdini": {
"command": "/path/to/houdini-mcp/.venv/bin/houdini-mcp"
}
}
}Restart Houdini after installing the package file.
The plugin listens on 127.0.0.1.
Houdini and the MCP client run on the same machine.
To remove it:
.venv/bin/houdini-mcp uninstallRelated MCP server: Houdini MCP Server
Built-in content lives in src/houdini_mcp/content/.
User content lives in the platform config directory or in custom directories set with HOUDINI_MCP_CONTENT.
User content mirrors the built-in layout under houdini_mcp/content/ and can overwrite existing files:
~/.config/houdini_mcp/content/
└── workflows/
└── my-workflow.mdUse {context} for the caller's context and {include:name} to include a shared fragment.
Inspect content with:
.venv/bin/houdini-mcp content path
.venv/bin/houdini-mcp content listServer variables are read by the MCP server process.
Plugin variables are read inside Houdini; set them in houdini.env or the environment used to launch Houdini.
Variable | Used by | Default | Description |
| Server, Plugin |
| First port the server scans and the plugin prefers. |
| Server |
| Command timeout in seconds. |
| Server |
| Log level. |
| Server | none | Additional content roots, separated by the OS path separator. |
| Plugin |
| Set to |
| Plugin |
| Set to |
| Plugin |
| Seconds to wait for render or cache output files. |
| Plugin | none | Optional root for scene and file operations. |
| Plugin | set by install | Repository root used by the Houdini package file. |
See CONTRIBUTING.md for the development setup and check commands.
MIT License. Copyright 2026 - Beat Reichenbach. See the LICENSE file for details.
Assign a material to a geometry node via a Material SOP.
Inputs: geo_path (required), material_path (required).
Build a whole node network in one atomic call.
Inputs: nodes (required), parent_path (required), layout, dry_run.
Build a sequential chain of SOP nodes wired together in a single call.
Inputs: steps, parent_path.
Cancel active cooking on a TOP network.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Capture a screenshot of the network editor.
Inputs: node_path, output_path.
Capture a screenshot of the viewport or a specific pane tab.
Inputs: pane_name, output_path, settle_seconds.
Change a node's type in place, preserving wires and parameters.
Inputs: new_type (required), node_path (required), keep_name, keep_parms, +1 more.
Delete cached files on disk for a cache node.
Inputs: node_path (required), frame_range.
Take or compare scene state snapshots.
Inputs: action, snapshot_name.
How much of one field sits in each band of another field.
Inputs: field (required), against (required), node_path (required), bands, +1 more.
Connect two nodes together.
Inputs: dest_path (required), source_path (required), input_name, input_index, +2 more.
Connect multiple node pairs in a single call.
Inputs: connections (required).
Cook a node frame by frame and report what changed on each frame.
Inputs: node_path (required), end, step, start, +2 more.
Cook a TOP node to execute its work items.
Inputs: node_path (required), block, generate_only.
Copy a node, optionally into a different parent network.
Inputs: node_path (required), offset, new_name, dest_parent.
Create a new CHOP node.
Inputs: chop_type (required), parent_path (required), name.
Create a COP node in the specified network.
Inputs: cop_type (required), parent_path (required), name.
Create a new HDA from an existing subnet node.
Inputs: label (required), hda_file (required), node_path (required), type_name (required), +1 more.
Create a USD light in a LOP network.
Inputs: name, color, position, intensity, +2 more.
Create a preset lighting rig in a LOP network.
Inputs: preset, parent_path, intensity_mult.
Create a new LOP node.
Inputs: lop_type (required), parent_path (required), name, prim_path.
Create a material in /mat with configurable surface properties.
Inputs: name, opacity, mat_type, metallic, +2 more.
Create a new material network in /mat.
Inputs: name (required), params, shader_type.
Draw a titled network box around nodes, to document a graph you built.
Inputs: parent_path (required), color, comment, node_paths.
Create a node inside a parent network.
Inputs: node_type (required), parent_path (required), name, position.
Create a new render (ROP) node in /out.
Inputs: renderer (required), name, camera, output_path.
Add a spare parameter to a node.
Inputs: label (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required), parm_type (required), +4 more.
Create multiple spare parameters, optionally in a folder tab.
Inputs: node_path (required), parameters (required), folder_name, folder_type.
Leave a sticky note in a network.
Inputs: text (required), parent_path (required), size, color, +1 more.
Create a new take, optionally under a parent take.
Inputs: name (required), parent_name.
Set an HScript expression on a parameter, evaluated before it is kept.
Inputs: vex_code (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Create an Attribute Wrangle node with VEX code.
Inputs: vex_code (required), parent_path (required), justification (required), name, +1 more.
Delete a keyframe at a specific frame.
Inputs: frame (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Delete a node, or several in one call.
Inputs: node_path, node_paths.
Delete sticky notes under a network, including nested networks.
Inputs: parent_path (required), recursive.
Dirty work items on a TOP node so they can be regenerated.
Inputs: node_path (required), remove_outputs.
Disconnect one or all inputs of a node.
Inputs: node_path (required), input_index, disconnect_all.
Edit an existing HDA interface in one atomic call.
Inputs: ops (required), node_path (required), dry_run.
Evaluate an expression in Houdini and return its result.
Inputs: expression (required), language.
Execute an HScript command in Houdini.
Inputs: command (required).
Execute arbitrary Python code inside Houdini. LAST RESORT only.
Inputs: code (required), justification (required), return_expression.
Explain a node in human-readable form.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Export a CHOP channel to a parameter via a chop() expression.
Inputs: chop_path (required), channel_name (required), target_node_path (required), target_parm_name (required).
Export a node's output to a file on disk, and report whether it landed.
Inputs: file_path (required), node_path (required), frame_range.
Find all nodes with errors or warnings in the scene.
Inputs: root_path.
Profile cooking and rank the most expensive nodes.
Inputs: frame, limit, root_path.
Find the nearest point(s) to a given position.
Inputs: position (required), node_path (required), max_results.
Search for nodes by name pattern, type, or context.
Inputs: inside, context, pattern, node_type.
Search USD prims by path pattern.
Inputs: pattern (required), node_path (required), traverse_instance_proxies.
Frame all geometry in the viewport, or only some nodes or a box.
Inputs: bounds, pane_name, node_paths.
Frame the current selection in the viewport.
Inputs: pane_name.
Generate static work items on a TOP node without cooking.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Aggregate statistics for numeric attributes: min, max, mean, sum.
Inputs: group, frames, unique, attribs, +5 more.
Get metadata for a geometry attribute.
Inputs: node_path (required), attrib_name (required), attrib_class.
Read attribute values as a flat array with pagination.
Inputs: node_path (required), attrib_name (required), count, start, +1 more.
Get the bounding box of a SOP node's geometry.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Frames on disk for a cache node, against the range it is set to write.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get CHOP node track data.
Inputs: node_path (required), end, start, channel_name.
Get information about a Houdini network context.
Inputs: context (required).
Trace the cook dependency chain for a node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Whether a node has cooked, how often, and whether it is time dependent.
Inputs: node_path.
Get geometry representation from a COP node.
Inputs: node_path (required), output_index.
Get information about a COP node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get image layer data from a COP node.
Inputs: node_path (required), output_index.
Get VDB volumetric data from a COP node.
Inputs: node_path (required), output_index.
Get the current take and its overridden parameters.
Inputs: no named parameters.
Read a specific field value from a DOP record.
Inputs: data_path (required), node_path (required), field_name (required), object_name (required).
Get detailed data for a specific DOP object.
Inputs: node_path (required), object_name (required).
List all relationships between DOP objects.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get a Houdini environment variable value.
Inputs: var_name (required).
Get the expression on a parameter.
Inputs: node_path (required), parm_name (required).
List the work items that failed on a TOP node, with the tail of each log.
Inputs: node_path (required), limit.
Return every file path the scene references.
Inputs: include_missing_only.
Get the current frame and FPS.
Inputs: no named parameters.
Get geometry summary for a SOP node.
Inputs: node_path (required), output_index.
Get element indices in a geometry group, with pagination.
Inputs: node_path (required), group_name (required), count, start, +1 more.
List all geometry groups on a SOP node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get detailed information about an HDA definition.
Inputs: hda_file, node_path, type_name.
Read the content of a specific section in an HDA definition.
Inputs: node_path (required), section_name (required).
List all sections in an HDA definition.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Fetch one page of Houdini's shipped documentation by path.
Inputs: path (required), offset, section.
Get all keyframes on a parameter.
Inputs: node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Get prims modified by the last LOP node cook.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get detailed information about a material node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get a compact overview of a network.
Inputs: path, depth.
Return a node type's connectors, parameters, and help text.
Inputs: node_type (required), context, parm_filter, include_help.
Get detailed error analysis for nodes.
Inputs: node_path, root_path.
Return a node's type, connections, flags, errors, and changed parameters.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get the value and metadata of a parameter.
Inputs: node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Read many parameter values at once, matched by name or label substring.
Inputs: inside, patterns, node_path, node_type, +5 more.
Get the template schema for parameter(s) on a node.
Inputs: node_path (required), filter, parm_name.
Who references a parameter, and what it references — in one call.
Inputs: node_path (required), limit, direction, parm_name, +1 more.
Return the parameter interface as a tree of folders and parameters.
Inputs: folder, context, node_path, type_name, +2 more.
Get the PDG dependency graph structure for a TOP network.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Read point positions and attributes with pagination.
Inputs: node_path (required), count, group, start, +1 more.
Get intrinsic values for primitives: one, many, or all of them.
Inputs: node_path (required), intrinsics, prim_index, prim_range, +1 more.
Read primitive data and attributes with pagination.
Inputs: node_path (required), count, group, start, +1 more.
Progress of a render or write started with start_render.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get render settings from a ROP node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get information about the current Houdini scene.
Inputs: no named parameters.
Get a high-level summary of the scene.
Inputs: no named parameters.
Get the current node selection.
Inputs: no named parameters.
Read the script a shelf tool runs, plus its help and imports.
Inputs: tool_name (required).
Get detailed memory breakdown for the simulation.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get DOP network simulation state, cooked at the current frame.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get USD stage info from a LOP node, or from a LOP network.
Inputs: node_path.
Cook logs for a TOP node, or the scheduler log of one work item.
Inputs: node_path (required), tail, work_item_index.
Get an overview of a TOP network.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Get information about TOP scheduler nodes in a network.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Read a USD attribute value from a prim.
Inputs: attr_name (required), node_path (required), prim_path (required), full, +4 more.
Read the same attributes across many prims as one table.
Inputs: prims (required), node_path (required), full, time, +5 more.
Return the material bound to each prim and where the binding comes from.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_paths (required), purpose.
Get composition arcs for a USD prim.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_path (required).
List all layers in a USD stage.
Inputs: node_path (required).
List all USD materials on a stage.
Inputs: node_path (required).
List every asset-valued input of each USD material.
Inputs: node_path (required), root_path, include_prototypes, traverse_instance_proxies.
Get detailed info about a USD prim.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_path (required), full, time, +2 more.
Get prim counts by USD type under a root path.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_path, traverse_instance_proxies.
Get variant sets and selections for a USD prim.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_path (required).
World transform of USD prims at one or more frames.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_paths (required), frames.
Get viewport settings for a pane tab.
Inputs: pane_name.
Per-volume name, resolution, active voxels, value range, mean and sum.
Inputs: node_path (required), bins, threshold, max_volumes.
Return the written guide for a workflow topic.
Inputs: topic (required), description.
Get detailed information about a specific work item.
Inputs: node_path (required), work_item_index (required).
Get work item state counts for a TOP node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Read the VEX code from an Attribute Wrangle node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Import a geometry, USD, or Alembic file into the scene.
Inputs: file_path (required), node_name, parent_path.
Inspect a USD layer by index.
Inputs: node_path (required), layer_index.
Install an HDA file into the current session.
Inputs: file_path (required), force.
Auto-layout children of a network node.
Inputs: parent_path (required), spacing.
Create a channel reference from one parameter to another.
Inputs: dest_parm (required), dest_path (required), source_parm (required), source_path (required), +1 more.
List all cache-type nodes under a root path.
Inputs: root_path.
List children of a network node. Locked assets are opaque unless
include_locked_assets (raw contents) or dive_target (editable content)
asks for them.
Inputs: parent_path (required), recursive, dive_target, filter_type, +1 more.
List all channels on a CHOP node.
Inputs: node_path (required).
List available COP node types.
Inputs: filter.
List all DOP objects in a simulation.
Inputs: node_path (required).
List installed definitions of an HDA type.
Inputs: node_path (required).
List installed HDA definitions, grouped by library file.
Inputs: limit, filter.
List all USD lights on a LOP stage.
Inputs: node_path (required).
List all material nodes under a root path.
Inputs: root_path.
List available VOP/material node types.
Inputs: filter.
List network boxes (backdrops) in a network and the nodes in each.
Inputs: parent_path.
List available node types for a context category.
Inputs: context (required), limit, filter.
List all visible pane tabs in the Houdini UI.
Inputs: no named parameters.
List all render (ROP/Driver) nodes in the scene.
Inputs: no named parameters.
Find shelf tools by name, label or keyword.
Inputs: limit, filter.
List all takes in the scene with their hierarchy.
Inputs: no named parameters.
List USD prims on a stage with filtering.
Inputs: node_path (required), kind, depth, prim_type, +2 more.
Open a hip file, or merge it into the current scene.
Inputs: file_path (required), merge, node_paths, overwrite_on_conflict.
Lock or unlock a parameter.
Inputs: locked (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Display a status message in Houdini's status bar.
Inputs: message (required), severity.
Move a node to a different parent network.
Inputs: node_path (required), dest_parent (required).
Create a new empty Houdini scene.
Inputs: save_current.
Pause cooking on a TOP network.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Control playback: play, stop, or reverse.
Inputs: action (required), fps, real_time.
Press a button parameter and return the node's errors and warnings.
Inputs: node_path (required), parm_name (required), cook, action, +1 more.
Promote VOP inputs to parameters.
Inputs: promotions (required).
Redo the last undone change(s) in Houdini.
Inputs: steps.
Reload an HDA file from disk.
Inputs: file_path (required).
Rename a node.
Inputs: new_name (required), node_path (required).
Capture a screenshot of a node's network editor view.
Inputs: node_path (required), output_path.
Capture all four viewport panes to separate images.
Inputs: resolution, output_path.
Capture the current 3D viewport to an image file.
Inputs: camera, resolution, output_path, settle_seconds.
Reorder the input connections of a node.
Inputs: new_order (required), node_path (required).
Reset the simulation to its initial state.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Revert a parameter to its default value.
Inputs: node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Run a shelf tool and report the nodes it created.
Inputs: tool_name (required), kwargs, selection, dop_network, +1 more.
Sample evenly distributed points from a SOP node's geometry.
Inputs: node_path (required), seed, sample_count.
Read named volume fields at world positions, or at another SOP's points.
Inputs: fields (required), node_path (required), bins, limit, +3 more.
Save the current Houdini scene to disk.
Inputs: file_path.
Search Houdini's installed documentation.
Inputs: query (required), limit, scope.
Set flags on a COP node.
Inputs: node_path (required), display, compress, export_flag.
Navigate the network editor to a network; the viewer follows it in.
Inputs: network_path (required), other_objects.
Set the current take by name.
Inputs: name (required).
Set a detail attribute on a SOP node.
Inputs: value (required), node_path (required), attrib_name (required).
Set an expression on a parameter.
Inputs: node_path (required), parm_name (required), expression (required), language.
Set the current frame in the timeline.
Inputs: frame (required).
Set the global frame range.
Inputs: end (required), start (required).
Author an HDA's Type Properties interface in one call.
Inputs: node_path (required), parameters (required), dry_run, replace.
Write content to a specific section in an HDA definition.
Inputs: content (required), node_path (required), section_name (required).
Set a single keyframe on a parameter.
Inputs: frame (required), value (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required), +2 more.
Batch-set multiple keyframes on a parameter.
Inputs: keyframes (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required).
Set properties on a USD light prim via an inline Python LOP.
Inputs: node_path (required), prim_path (required), properties (required).
Set a node's color in the network editor.
Inputs: b (required), g (required), r (required), node_path (required).
Set flags on a node.
Inputs: node_path (required), lock, bypass, render, +2 more.
Set a node's position in the network editor.
Inputs: x (required), y (required), node_path (required).
Set an object's translate, rotate, scale and/or parent in one call.
Inputs: node_path (required), scale, parent, rotate, +1 more.
Set a parameter value.
Inputs: value (required), node_path (required), parm_name (required), run_callbacks, +1 more.
Batch-set multiple parameters on a node, in the order given.
Inputs: params (required), node_path (required), run_callbacks, override_expression.
Set the playback range (green bar in the timeline).
Inputs: end (required), start (required).
Set render parameters on a ROP node.
Inputs: node_path (required), settings.
Set the node selection.
Inputs: node_paths.
Set Houdini's cook update mode, or read it when called with no mode.
Inputs: mode.
Build a FLIP fluid simulation network from source geometry.
Inputs: name, domain, source_geo, particle_sep.
Build a Pyro smoke/fire simulation network from source geometry.
Inputs: name, substeps, container, res_scale, +1 more.
Build an RBD rigid-body simulation network with fracture and solver.
Inputs: name, ground, geo_path, pieces_type.
Set up a render configuration with camera and ROP node.
Inputs: name, camera, samples, renderer, +2 more.
Build a Vellum simulation network with configure node and solver.
Inputs: name, ground, geo_path, sim_type, +1 more.
Set a USD attribute value via an inline Python LOP.
Inputs: value (required), attr_name (required), node_path (required), prim_path (required).
Point the Scene Viewer at a network, and optionally a node inside it.
Inputs: network_path (required), pane_name, current_node.
Set the viewport to look through a specific camera.
Inputs: camera_path (required), pane_name.
Set the viewport to a standard viewing direction, or place the free view.
Inputs: pivot, distance, rotation, direction, +1 more.
Set how the viewport draws and return the applied settings.
Inputs: pane_name, point_size, color_scheme, display_mode, +2 more.
Set the viewport's Hydra rendering delegate for live preview.
Inputs: renderer (required), pane_name.
Set VEX code on an existing Attribute Wrangle node.
Inputs: vex_code (required), node_path (required).
Execute any node that renders or writes files.
Inputs: node_path (required), overrides, background, frame_range.
Advance the simulation by a number of frames.
Inputs: node_path (required), steps.
Undo the last change(s) made in Houdini.
Inputs: steps.
Uninstall an HDA file from the current session.
Inputs: file_path (required).
Save the current node contents back to its HDA definition.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Validate VEX code by cooking the node and checking for errors.
Inputs: node_path (required).
Inspect every node in a network for errors and cook state.
Inputs: parent_path (required), force_cook.
Execute a cache node, and report whether a cache actually appeared.
Inputs: node_path (required), background, frame_range.
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
Loading tool schema changelog…
Scored across 213 tools
With 213 tools there are many overlapping pairs: get_parameter vs get_parameters, get_usd_attribute vs get_usd_attributes, capture_screenshot vs render_viewport vs render_node_network, create_material vs create_material_network, and several list_* tools that differ only subtly. Descriptions help in places, but an agent will frequently face unclear boundaries among the many read/inspect tools.
Most tools follow a snake_case verb_noun pattern (get_node_info, create_lop_node, list_usd_prims, set_render_settings). Minor deviations exist, such as playbar_control, log_status, undo/redo, and the misleadingly named create_vex_expression, but the overall convention is predictable.
213 tools is an extreme mismatch for a single MCP server, far beyond the typical 3-15 range. The surface spans many Houdini contexts, but the sheer volume makes tool discovery, selection, and maintenance unwieldy.
The surface is remarkably comprehensive across SOP, DOP, COP, TOP, LOP, CHOP, rendering, HDA, UI, and scene workflows, covering most lifecycle operations. However, there are minor gaps such as no delete_take, no delete_network_box, and some material lifecycle operations only partially exposed.
Host any HTTP API as a standard MCP server; auto-distribute to 12+ mainstream agent platforms.
Focused MCP server for OpenAI image/audio generation (v2.0.0). Wraps endpoints via HAPI CLI.
MCP server for OpenAI API (chat completions, image generation, embeddings) via AceDataCloud
An MCP server that let you interact with Cycloid.io Internal Development Portal and Platform
