Resolume Arena MCP Server

Official MCP server bundled with Resolume Arena 7.26+ that lets AI assistants build and manage VJ compositions through natural language.

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Overview

The Resolume Arena MCP Server is the official Model Context Protocol integration shipped with Resolume Arena and Avenue starting in version 7.26. It bridges MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude Desktop, OpenAI Codex, Google Antigravity, Gemini CLI, Cursor, and VS Code with Resolume's VJ software so an operator can build and modify compositions in plain English instead of clicking through the UI.

With the Arena MCP server you can load files and sources, add and remove effects, manage layers, columns, groups, and clips, switch decks, and orchestrate broader composition changes. It is designed for preparation and composition building rather than live performance: it cannot create slices, screens, keyboard/MIDI/DMX/OSC mappings, cue points, presets, parameter envelopes, dashboard dials, or render clips. A companion Wire MCP server ships alongside it for building Wire node patches and ISF shaders through natural language.

The server is distributed as an .mcpb extension bundle inside the Arena install directory and runs locally against the Resolume REST API, so no cloud credentials or API keys are required. The Resolume 7.26 release also expanded the underlying REST API with audio effect management, output snapshots, parameter animation (Timeline, BPM, FFT), and an entirely new v2 API for Wire.

Tools

Tool	Description
`Composition management`	Build, summarize, and modify the active composition including layers, columns, groups, and decks.
`Clip and file loading`	Load media files and sources into clip slots; switch between decks to access more clips.
`Effects control`	Add, remove, and configure video and audio effects on compositions, layers, groups, and clips.
`Output snapshots`	Retrieve PNG/JPEG snapshots of monitor outputs for inspection by the AI assistant.
`Parameter animation`	Drive parameters with Timeline, BPM sync, and FFT animation modes via the expanded REST API.
`Codec and asset audits`	Scan the composition for non-DXV codec videos or other asset issues and report findings.

Setup Guide

Prerequisites

Resolume Arena or Avenue 7.26.0 or higher installed
An MCP-compatible AI desktop app (Claude Desktop, OpenAI Codex, Google Antigravity, Gemini CLI, Cursor, VS Code, OpenCode, LM Studio, or Ollama)

Install in Claude Desktop (macOS)

Double-click the bundled extension file:

/Applications/Resolume Arena/mcp/resolume_arena_mcp_server.mcpb

Claude Desktop opens and prompts you to Install. Confirm and the Arena server is registered.

Install in Claude Desktop (Windows)

Open Claude Desktop and go to Settings, Extensions.
Click Advanced Settings, then Install Extension.
Select:

C:\Program Files\Resolume Arena\mcp\resolume_arena_mcp_server.mcpb

Install in OpenAI Codex

Add the server in Codex Preferences under the MCP tab, pointing at the executable inside the Resolume install:

macOS: /Applications/Resolume Arena/mcp/resolume_arena_mcp_server
Windows: C:/Program Files/Resolume Arena/mcp/resolume_arena_mcp_server.exe

Notes

Claude Opus is recommended by Resolume for best results.
Resolume Arena must be running while the assistant is connected.
A separate resolume_wire_mcp_server.mcpb ships alongside Arena for the Wire patching tool.

Use Cases

Summarize an inherited composition and list every layer, group, and clip before a show prep session
Audit a project for non-DXV codec videos and other assets that may hurt playback performance
Apply a consistent stack of effects across all layers or groups in one instruction
Construct a complex multi-layer design with text, masks, and transitions from a written brief
Reorganize decks, columns, and groups in bulk when restructuring a show file

Example Prompts

"Summarize my current composition: how many layers, groups, and clips per deck?"
"Find every clip in this project that is not encoded with the DXV codec and list the file paths."
"Add a Hue Rotate and a Luma Key effect to every layer in the Background group."
"Build a three-layer intro: a video background, a masked logo on top, and animated text with a BPM-synced scale."
"Switch to the Encore deck and load all files from ~/Videos/Festival into column 4."

Pros

Official, maintained by Resolume and bundled directly with Arena and Avenue 7.26+
No API keys or cloud auth required; runs locally against Resolume's REST API
Works with a wide range of MCP clients (Claude Desktop, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI, LM Studio, Ollama)
Backed by an expanded REST API including output snapshots and parameter animation

Limitations

Cannot create or modify slices, screens, mappings (MIDI/DMX/OSC/keyboard), cue points, presets, parameter envelopes, dashboard dials, or render clips
Intended for composition building and prep, not live show control during performance
Requires Resolume Arena/Avenue 7.26 or higher; older installs are not supported

Alternatives

Resolume Wire MCP Server (also bundled with Resolume) for building Wire node patches and ISF shaders through natural language
drohi-r/resolume-mcp (community, open source) exposing 206 tools over Resolume's REST, WebSocket, and OSC APIs including Advanced Output and show recovery workflows
bitfocus/companion-module-resolume-arena for Bitfocus Companion if you need button-based stream deck control rather than AI control