ShaderToy-MCP

ShaderToy-MCP avatar

by wilsonchenghy

What is ShaderToy-MCP

ShaderToy-MCP

MCP Server for ShaderToy, a website for creating, running and sharing GLSL shader (https://www.shadertoy.com/). It connects LLM like Claude with ShaderToy through Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing the LLM to query and read the entire web page, allowing it to make increasingly complex shader it normally isn't capable of.

Example of the complex shader it generates:

!IMG_9029


Ocean (https://www.shadertoy.com/view/tXs3Wf)


Mountains (https://www.shadertoy.com/view/W3l3Df)


Matrix Digital Rain (https://www.shadertoy.com/view/33l3Df)

Features

  • Retriving info on any shader on ShaderToy
  • Search for shader available on ShaderToy through a search prompt
  • Generate complex shaders by learning from existing shaders on ShaderToy

MCP Tools

  • get_shader_info()
  • search_shader()

Installation

On Mac, please install uv as

brew install uv

On Windows

powershell -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex" 

and then

set Path=C:\Users\nntra\.local\bin;%Path%

Otherwise installation instructions are on their website: Install uv

Claude Desktop Integration

Git clone the project with git clone https://github.com/wilsonchenghy/ShaderToy-MCP.git

Go to Claude > Settings > Developer > Edit Config > claude_desktop_config.json to include the following:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "ShaderToy_MCP": {
          "command": "uv",
          "args": [
            "run",
            "--with",
            "mcp[cli]",
            "mcp",
            "run",
            "<path_to_project>/ShaderToy-MCP/src/ShaderToy-MCP/server.py"
          ],
          "env": {
            "SHADERTOY_APP_KEY": "your_actual_api_key"  // Replace with your API key
          }
        }
    }
}

Once the config file has been set on Claude, you will see a hammer icon for the MCP. Test with the example commands to see if it correctly utilize the MCP tools.

Example Commands

Generate shader code of a {object}, if it is based on someone's work on ShaderToy, credit it, make the code follow the ShaderToy format: void mainImage( out vec4 fragColor, in vec2 fragCoord ) {}

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to LLMs. Think of MCP like a USB-C port for AI applications, providing a standardized way to connect AI models to different data sources and tools.

What are MCP Servers?

MCP Servers are lightweight programs that expose specific capabilities through the standardized Model Context Protocol. They act as bridges between LLMs like Claude and various data sources or services, allowing secure access to files, databases, APIs, and other resources.

How do MCP Servers work?

MCP Servers follow a client-server architecture where a host application (like Claude Desktop) connects to multiple servers. Each server provides specific functionality through standardized endpoints and protocols, enabling Claude to access data and perform actions through the standardized protocol.

Are MCP Servers secure?

Yes, MCP Servers are designed with security in mind. They run locally with explicit configuration and permissions, require user approval for actions, and include built-in security features to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data privacy.