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Kdenlive MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server wrapping cli-anything-kdenlive for LLM-driven video editing workflows via Kdenlive.

Overview

This FastMCP server enables AI models to perform complex video editing tasks on Kdenlive projects through a unified set of 36 tools organized into 8 functional categories. The server uses the Python API of cli-anything-kdenlive directly (not subprocess) to maintain a persistent session state, ensuring modifications are immediately available to subsequent tool calls.

Key Features

  • Persistent Session State: Uses CLI's in-memory session API, auto-saves after every mutation

  • Gen 5 XML Export: Kdenlive-compatible XML output with proper bin references and version metadata

  • Robust Error Handling: All exceptions caught and returned as structured JSON payloads

  • Auto-Project Tracking: Globally tracks project path; all tools automatically target the active project

  • 36 MCP Tools: Comprehensive coverage of Kdenlive operations

Related MCP server: DaVinci Resolve MCP Server

Installation

Prerequisites

# Python 3.10+
# Ensure uv is installed for dependency management
pip install uv

Install Dependencies

cd kdenlive-mcp-server
uv sync

Usage

As an MCP Server

The server runs as a FastMCP server compatible with any LLM platform that supports MCP (e.g., Claude Code, Pi, OpenCode).

Command Line

# Run the MCP server
uv run kdenlive-mcp

# Or directly via Python
uv run python3 -m kdenlive_mcp_server.server

Python Integration

from kdenlive_mcp_server.server import (
    project_new, bin_import_clip, timeline_add_clip, export_xml
)

# Create project
result = project_new(output_path="my_project.kdenlive-cli.json", profile="hd1080p30")

# Import media
result = bin_import_clip(clip_path="video.mp4", name="Interview", duration=120.0)

# Add to timeline
result = timeline_add_clip(clip_id="clip0", track=0, position=0.0)

# Export XML
result = export_xml(output_path="output.kdenlive")

Project Structure

kdenlive-mcp-server/
├── kdenlive_mcp_server/
│   ├── __init__.py           # Empty package init
│   └── server.py             # FastMCP server with 36 tools (876 lines)
├── main.py                   # Entry point delegating to server module
├── pyproject.toml            # Project configuration and dependencies
├── uv.lock                   # Dependency lock file
└── README.md                 # This file

Tools

Project (5 tools)

Tool

Description

project_new()

Create a new Kdenlive project with optional profile override

project_open()

Load an existing .kdenlive-cli.json project

project_save()

Persist the current project state to disk

project_get_info()

Get project metadata (resolution, FPS, track layout, clip counts)

project_list_profiles()

List all available video output profiles (hd1080p30, 4k60, sd_pal, etc.)

Bin (4 tools)

Tool

Description

bin_import_clip()

Ingest media files (video, audio, image) into the project bin

bin_remove_clip()

Delete a clip from the bin by ID

bin_list_clips()

List all assets in the project bin

bin_get_clip_details()

Fetch detailed properties of a clip (duration, type, source)

Timeline (8 tools)

Tool

Description

timeline_add_track()

Append a video or audio track to the timeline

timeline_remove_track()

Delete a track and all its clips

timeline_add_clip()

Place a bin clip on a track at a specific position

timeline_remove_clip()

Remove a clip from a track

timeline_move_clip()

Reposition a clip on the same track

timeline_trim_clip()

Adjust clip in/out crop handles

timeline_split_clip()

Cut a clip into two pieces at a precise offset

timeline_list()

List all tracks with clip counts and status

Filters (5 tools)

Tool

Description

filter_add()

Attach a video/audio effect (blur, brightness, frei0r.opacity, volume)

filter_remove()

Remove an effect from a clip

filter_set_param()

Update a single filter parameter (radius, opacity, level)

filter_list()

List all active filters on a clip

filter_list_available()

Discover all available filters by category

Transitions (4 tools)

Tool

Description

transition_add()

Create blend transitions (dissolve, wipe, slide, composite, affine)

transition_remove()

Delete a transition by ID

transition_set()

Update a transition parameter

transition_list()

List all transitions on the timeline

Guides (3 tools)

Tool

Description

guide_add()

Add timeline markers/chapters

guide_remove()

Remove a guide by ID

guide_list()

List all guide markers

Export (3 tools)

Tool

Description

export_xml()

Generate Kdenlive/MLT XML for the project

export_list_presets()

List available render presets

export_render()

Render project to video via melt CLI

Session (4 tools)

Tool

Description

session_undo()

Revert the most recent operation (up to 50 history entries)

session_redo()

Redo the last undone operation

session_status()

Inspect session state (project loaded, modified flag, history depth)

session_history()

List all undo/redo history entries

Example Workflows

Create a Simple Video Project

from kdenlive_mcp_server.server import (
    project_new, bin_import_clip, timeline_add_track,
    timeline_add_clip, export_xml, project_save
)

# 1. Create project
result = project_new(
    output_path="intro_video.kdenlive-cli.json",
    profile="hd1080p30",
    name="Introduction"
)

# 2. Import media
result = bin_import_clip(
    clip_path="interview.mp4",
    name="Interview",
    duration=120.0
)

# 3. Add track and place clip
result = timeline_add_track(track_type="video", track_name="V1")
result = timeline_add_clip(
    clip_id="clip0",  # From bin_import_clip response
    track=0,
    position=0.0
)

# 4. Export
result = export_xml(output_path="intro.kdenlive")

Apply Effects to Clips

from kdenlive_mcp_server.server import (
    project_new, bin_import_clip, timeline_add_track,
    timeline_add_clip, filter_add, filter_set_param, filter_list
)

# Setup
result = project_new(output_path="effects_demo.kdenlive-cli.json", profile="hd720p60")
result = bin_import_clip(clip_path="movie.mp4", name="Movie", duration=300.0)
result = timeline_add_track(track_type="video")
result = timeline_add_clip(clip_id="clip0", track=0, position=0.0)

# Add brightness filter
result = filter_add(
    track_id=0,
    clip_index=0,
    filter_type="brightness",
    params=["level=0.8"]
)

# Update brightness
result = filter_set_param(
    track_id=0,
    clip_index=0,
    filter_index=0,
    parameter="level",
    value="1.2"
)

# List filters
result = filter_list(track_id=0, clip_index=0)

Add Chapter Markers

from kdenlive_mcp_server.server import (
    project_new, bin_import_clip, timeline_add_track,
    timeline_add_clip, guide_add, guide_list, project_save
)

# Setup
result = project_new(output_path="documentary.kdenlive-cli.json", profile="4k30")
result = bin_import_clip(clip_path="documentary.mp4", name="Doc", duration=900.0)
result = timeline_add_track(track_type="video")
result = timeline_add_clip(clip_id="clip0", track=0, position=0.0)

# Add chapter markers
result = guide_add(position=60.0, label="Chapter 1: Introduction", guide_type="chapter")
result = guide_add(position=180.0, label="Chapter 2: Main Content", guide_type="chapter")
result = guide_add(position=300.0, label="Chapter 3: Conclusion", guide_type="chapter")

# List guides
result = guide_list()

# Save
result = project_save()

Error Handling

All tools return consistent response formats:

# Success
{
    "success": True,
    "data": {...}
}

# Error
{
    "success": False,
    "error": "Error message describing the failure"
}

Configuration

pyproject.toml

[project]
name = "kdenlive-mcp-server"
version = "0.1.0"
description = "MCP server for Kdenlive video editing via cli-anything-kdenlive"
requires-python = ">=3.10"
dependencies = [
    "mcp>=1.28.0",
    "cli-anything-kdenlive>=1.0.0",
]

[project.scripts]
kdenlive-mcp = "kdenlive_mcp_server.server:main"

[tool.uv.sources]
cli-anything-kdenlive = { git = "https://github.com/HKUDS/CLI-Anything.git", subdirectory = "kdenlive/agent-harness" }

uv.lock

Auto-generated by uv sync. Contains locked dependency versions.

Dependencies

Troubleshooting

Kdenlive XML Compatibility Issues

If Kdenlive reports "Version of the project file cannot be read" or "Timeline clip without bin reference found":

  1. Cause: Using PyPI v1.0.0 (Gen 4 format) which lacks proper Kdenlive metadata

  2. Fix: The package now installs from GitHub HEAD with Gen 5 format that includes:

    • kdenlive:docproperties.version="1.1"

    • Chain-based clip structure with kdenlive:id linking to main_bin

    • Proper bin reference handling

Project Not Saving

The server auto-saves to disk after every mutation. If changes aren't persisting:

  1. Verify the project path is set via project_new() or project_open()

  2. Check that session_status() shows has_project: true

  3. Ensure the output directory is writable

FastMCP Server Not Starting

  1. Verify MCP version: uv run python3 -c "import mcp; print(mcp.__version__)"

  2. Check FastMCP: uv run python3 -c "from mcp.server.fastmcp import FastMCP; print('FastMCP OK')"

  3. Review logs for detailed error messages

Development

Testing

Run the test suite:

# Run all integration tests
uv run python3 test_integration.py

# Test with zero-duration edge case
uv run python3 test_edge_cases.py

Code Style

The project follows PEP 8 style guidelines. Use uv run ruff check . to lint.

Adding New Tools

To add a new MCP tool:

  1. Add the tool function to server.py decorated with @server.tool()

  2. Import the corresponding CLI API module if needed

  3. Include comprehensive docstrings with Args and Returns sections

  4. Implement error handling with try/except

  5. Call _save() after mutations to persist changes

Example:

@server.tool()
def my_new_tool(param1: str, param2: int) -> dict[str, Any]:
    """Brief description of what the tool does.

    Args:
        param1: Description of param1.
        param2: Description of param2.

    Returns:
        Success response format.
    """
    err = _require_project()
    if err:
        return err

    try:
        # Do something with the project
        result = some_api_function(param1, param2)
        _save()
        return _ok(result)
    except Exception as e:
        return _err(str(e))

Contributing

  1. Fork the repository

  2. Create a feature branch

  3. Add tests for new functionality

  4. Ensure all tests pass: uv run pytest

  5. Submit a pull request

References

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license - not found
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quality - not tested
C
maintenance

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