# Gemini TTS MCP — Local Setup

This repository contains the Gemini TTS MCP server used by Claude Desktop.

This guide explains how to set it up locally on macOS.

---

## 1. Requirements

You need:

- macOS
- Claude Desktop
- Node.js
- npm
- A Google Gemini API key

---

## 2. Clone the Repository

Open Terminal and clone the repository:

```bash
git clone YOUR_REPOSITORY_URL
```

Then enter the project:

```bash
cd YOUR_REPOSITORY_NAME
```

> Replace `YOUR_REPOSITORY_URL` and `YOUR_REPOSITORY_NAME` with the actual repository information.

---

## 3. Check Node.js

Check whether Node.js is already installed:

```bash
node --version
```

Also check npm:

```bash
npm --version
```

If both commands return a version number, you can continue.

If Node.js is not installed, install it before continuing.

---

## 4. Install Dependencies

Inside the repository folder, run:

```bash
npm install
```

This installs all dependencies required by the MCP server.

---

## 5. Create the `.env` File

The MCP server needs a Gemini API key.

Inside the project folder, create a `.env` file:

```bash
touch .env
```

Open it:

```bash
nano .env
```

Add:

```env
GEMINI_API_KEY=YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY
```

Replace `YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY` with your actual Gemini API key.

Save the file:

```text
CTRL + O
ENTER
CTRL + X
```

### Getting a Gemini API Key

Create a Gemini API key through Google AI Studio:

[https://aistudio.google.com/apikey](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey)

Do **not** commit the `.env` file to Git.

The repository should already contain `.env` in `.gitignore`.

---

## 6. Test the MCP Server

From inside the project directory, run:

```bash
node src/server.js
```

If the server starts without an error about a missing `GEMINI_API_KEY`, the setup is working.

The server may not display a normal message and may simply keep running.

This is normal.

Stop it with:

```text
CTRL + C
```

---

# 7. Configure Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop needs to know where the MCP server is located.

The configuration file is:

```text
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```

You can open it with:

```bash
open ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```

If the file does not exist, create it.

---

## 8. Find Your Node.js Path

Run:

```bash
which node
```

You will get something similar to:

```text
/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/.nvm/versions/node/v24.15.0/bin/node
```

Copy the path returned by your Mac.

---

## 9. Find the MCP Project Path

Inside the repository folder, run:

```bash
pwd
```

For example:

```text
/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/mcp-servers/gemini-tts-mcp
```

Your MCP server file will therefore be:

```text
/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/mcp-servers/gemini-tts-mcp/src/server.js
```

---

## 10. Add the MCP Server to Claude Desktop

Add the following to:

```text
claude_desktop_config.json
```

Example:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gemini-tts": {
      "command": "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/.nvm/versions/node/v24.15.0/bin/node",
      "args": [
        "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/mcp-servers/gemini-tts-mcp/src/server.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Important

Replace both paths with the paths from your own Mac.

You can get them with:

```bash
which node
```

and:

```bash
pwd
```

---

## 11. If You Already Have Other MCP Servers

Do **not** replace your existing configuration.

For example, if you already have:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "other-server": {
      "command": "..."
    }
  }
}
```

add `gemini-tts` alongside it:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "other-server": {
      "command": "..."
    },
    "gemini-tts": {
      "command": "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/.nvm/versions/node/v24.15.0/bin/node",
      "args": [
        "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/mcp-servers/gemini-tts-mcp/src/server.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

---

# 12. Restart Claude Desktop

Completely quit Claude Desktop:

```text
CMD + Q
```

Then open Claude Desktop again.

---

# 13. Verify the MCP Connection

In Claude Desktop, go to:

```text
Settings
→ Developer
```

You should see:

```text
gemini-tts
```

The server should show as connected.

The available tools should include:

```text
generate_speech
get_audio_files
```

---

# 14. Test Gemini TTS

Open a new Claude conversation and ask:

> Use the `gemini-tts` MCP server to generate speech.
>
> Generate a test using exactly this text:
>
> "This is a test of the Gemini text to speech setup."
>
> Save the file as:
>
> `test-voice`

Claude should use the `generate_speech` tool.

The generated audio should be saved inside the project's:

```text
audio/
```

folder.

---

# 15. Generated Audio

Generated `.wav` files are stored in:

```text
audio/
```

For example:

```text
audio/
├── test-voice.wav
├── college-vs-university.wav
└── scampi-vs-shrimps.wav
```

You can open the audio folder in Finder with:

```bash
open audio
```

---

# 16. Default TTS Settings

The MCP server is already configured with the following defaults:

* Voice: `Algenib`
* Vocal style: subtle smile
* Speaking speed: rapid-fire
* Accent: neutral English
* Style: energetic, natural and clear
* Target format: short-form content such as TikTok and Instagram

No additional configuration is required.

---

# 17. Troubleshooting

## `GEMINI_API_KEY is missing`

Make sure the `.env` file exists inside the repository:

```bash
ls -la
```

You should see:

```text
.env
```

Check it with:

```bash
cat .env
```

It should contain:

```env
GEMINI_API_KEY=YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY
```

---

## `Server disconnected`

First test the server manually:

```bash
node src/server.js
```

If an error appears, fix that error first.

Also check:

```bash
which node
```

and:

```bash
pwd
```

Then make sure the paths in `claude_desktop_config.json` are correct.

---

## Claude does not show `gemini-tts`

Check:

1. The MCP configuration JSON is valid.
2. The Node.js path is correct.
3. The `server.js` path is correct.
4. `.env` exists.
5. `GEMINI_API_KEY` exists in `.env`.
6. Claude Desktop has been completely restarted.

---

# 18. Quick Setup Checklist

* [ ] Clone repository
* [ ] Open repository in Terminal
* [ ] Run `npm install`
* [ ] Create `.env`
* [ ] Add `GEMINI_API_KEY`
* [ ] Run `node src/server.js` successfully
* [ ] Run `which node`
* [ ] Run `pwd`
* [ ] Add `gemini-tts` to Claude Desktop's MCP configuration
* [ ] Restart Claude Desktop
* [ ] Check `Settings → Developer`
* [ ] Confirm `gemini-tts` is connected
* [ ] Generate a test voice

---

## Done

Once `gemini-tts` appears as connected in Claude Desktop, no further setup is required.

Claude can now generate Gemini TTS audio through the MCP server.

````

### One important change I'd make to your repository

Since **you're giving her the repository**, I'd actually recommend that she clones it into a simple, predictable location, e.g.:

```text
~/mcp-servers/gemini-tts-mcp
````

Then the setup becomes very easy and your Claude config can follow the same structure on both Macs.

Also, **don't put your own `.env` into the repository**. The repository should contain something like:

```text
gemini-tts-mcp/
├── src/
│   └── server.js
├── audio/
├── package.json
├── package-lock.json
├── .gitignore
└── README.md
```

and **each person creates their own `.env` locally** with their own Gemini API key.