Your library is plain folders
Takes records into ~/Movies/Takes. The server reads and writes the same folders, and the app shows each change at once.
Takes MCP server
A video editing MCP server for your agent.
Connect your AI agent to Takes for Mac, and it edits your talking-head videos: it cuts the takes, checks each edit and writes the posts. The free takes MCP server sets itself up.
claude · ~/Movies/Takes
> Cut my last take into a vertical short with captions. Check it before you show me.
takes · get_sessionWhy I stopped using a teleprompter · keeper: take 2
takes · rough_cut14 silences and 2 false starts out
takes · render_edit9:16 · captions
takes · check_editsound ✓ picture ✓ sync ✓ cut words ✓
takes · publish_editedits/short-v1.mp4
The short is ready and passed the check. It is in Takes under Edits.
>
Three things to know first.
It checks before it shows you
An agent cannot watch video. check_edit compares each edit with its take: sound, picture, sync and cut words.
Any agent, your own plan
Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Antigravity, opencode, pi or Claude Desktop. The tools run on your Mac.
In the app
Watch the agent work, in the app.
The agent works in the chat. Takes shows each edit, note and post as it lands.
77 tools
What your agent can do with it.
The tools in eight groups, with a few names from each. The server's tool list has the full text for every one.
Library and sessions · 10
Find a project or session, make a new one, move or trash it, and get the next file name. get_session · next_path
Script and storyboard · 10
Hooks above the teleprompter, script versions to compare, and a storyboard of sketched shots. set_hooks · set_storyboard
Takes and footage · 10
Star the best take, import iPhone videos from AirDrop, and find footage by what it shows or says. set_keeper · search_media
Cut, edit and check · 11
A first cut against the script, edits from a recipe, a check of every edit, and your notes on frames. rough_cut · check_edit
Sound and voice · 7
Make a phone or room recording sound like a proper mic. Voice-overs and fixed words with ElevenLabs. clean_voice · fix_words
Images, styles and AI video · 12
Thumbnails and covers, your saved styles, and AI clips from Higgsfield or Replicate. make_image · set_style
Posts and plan · 14
Posts for LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Shorts with previews, versions, carousels and your posting days. set_post · plan_video
Jobs · 3
Slow work (renders, transcripts) runs as a job in Takes, so it outlives the chat. run_job · get_job
Out to your editor
Send any edit to DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro as a timeline that links the original takes. export_edit
Set up
It sets itself up. Or do it by hand.
On its first launch Takes adds the server to each agent on your Mac. Then start a new agent session: an open session does not see it.
Run the setup again
For an agent you installed after Takes: Settings › Agents › Connect in the app, or this line in Terminal:
python3 /Applications/Takes.app/Contents/Resources/takes_mcp.py --setupClaude Code or Codex
These two have their own mcp add command. This is what the setup runs:
claude mcp add takes --scope user -- /usr/bin/python3 \
/Applications/Takes.app/Contents/Resources/takes_mcp.py
codex mcp add takes -- /usr/bin/python3 \
/Applications/Takes.app/Contents/Resources/takes_mcp.pyAny other agent
Agents with a JSON config (Claude Desktop, Gemini CLI, Antigravity, pi) take this entry under mcpServers:
"takes": {
"command": "/usr/bin/python3",
"args": ["/Applications/Takes.app/Contents/Resources/takes_mcp.py"]
}The server runs on the Python in Apple's developer tools. Without them, Finish setup in Takes has an Install button.
Cursor and Gemini CLI
Cursor gets a short list of 30 tools, because it uses only about 40 across all its servers.
For all 77, set "env": {"TAKES_TOOLS": "all"} in the takes entry of ~/.cursor/mcp.json.
Gemini CLI turns MCP servers off in folders you have not trusted. Trust the folder once when it asks.
What to ask
Ask in plain words.
The agent picks the tools. A few things to try in a new session:
Storyboard my next Takes video: why I stopped using a teleprompter.
Cut my last take into a 60 second vertical clip with captions.
Check it before you show me.
Clean up the voice on take 3, it sounds like a hallway.
Write the LinkedIn and X posts for this edit, in my words
from the transcript, and put the video on Thursday.
Export edit v2 as a timeline for DaVinci Resolve.Compared
Three kinds of video MCP server.
Each kind fits a different job. Pick the one that matches yours.
| An editor's server (Resolve, Premiere) | An ffmpeg server | takes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works on | The open timeline in the editor | Any video file | Your Takes library |
| Best for | Fine edits you finish by hand | One-off conversions and trims | Talking-head videos, script to post |
| Records the video | No | No | Yes, with a teleprompter |
| Checks the edit | You watch it | You watch it | check_edit, then you watch it |
| Writes the posts | No | No | LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Shorts |
| Runs on | Where the editor runs | Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac (Apple silicon) |
Good to know
Where it fits, and where it doesn't.
Works well for…
- talking-head videos: one person, talking to the camera
- an agent that does the whole job, from script to post
- several agents on one library: each sees the same folders
- keeping every version: an edit is never overwritten
- finishing in your editor: Resolve, Premiere or Final Cut
Watch out for…
- a Mac onlyThe server ships in Takes.app (Apple silicon, macOS 15+).
- no live editor controlIt edits files, not a Premiere or Resolve timeline. Other MCP servers do that.
- outside services need your keyImages, ElevenLabs voice, Higgsfield and Replicate use your own account.
- no posting by itselfIt writes and plans the posts. You post them, or your agent does in your browser.
Listings
Find it where agents look.
Official MCP registryio.github.marvtub/takes, updated with each release.
SmitheryEvery tool with its inputs, and a quality score.
GlamaBuilds a new version on each GitHub release.
ClaudePluginHubThe Takes plugin for Claude Code, from the repo.
Source on GitHubThe server is
mcp/takes_mcp.py. MIT licensed.
Get it
Install Takes. The server comes with it.
The line installs Takes and ffmpeg, finds your agent (Claude Code, Codex or pi) or installs Claude Code, signs you in and opens the app. Run it again to update. Rather click? Download the .dmg, drag Takes to Applications, then click Finish setup in the sidebar.
NeedsApple silicon, macOS 15+, and an agent on your own plan: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor or any other MCP agent.
First time with the .dmg?macOS asks once. Click Open Anyway in Privacy & Security. The download page shows where.
Free and openMIT licensed. Read the code on GitHub.
Questions
MCP server questions.
Is there an MCP server for video editing?
Yes. takes, the MCP server in Takes for Mac, gives an agent 77 tools to cut, check and post talking-head videos. It is free and open source (MIT).
Which agents work with the takes MCP server?
Any MCP agent. Takes sets it up for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Antigravity, opencode, pi and Claude Desktop when they are on your Mac.
Does the MCP server upload my videos?
No. Cutting, transcripts and checks run on your Mac. Tools for images, voice or AI video send only what they need, with your own key.
Does it work without the Takes app?
No. The server ships inside Takes.app and works on the library Takes records into. Takes is free, and it shows each edit the agent makes.
Why does Cursor see only 30 tools?
Cursor uses only about 40 tools across all its servers. Set "TAKES_TOOLS": "all" in its takes entry for all 77.
Can the agent post to LinkedIn or X for me?
It writes the posts, previews them and keeps your posting plan. It does not publish by itself: you post, or your agent does in your browser.
More about Takes
One app, from script to post.
Takes homeStoryboard, record, edit and post, in one app.
Edit videos with Claude CodeThe steps and commands, with a real example.
AI video editorCuts, 9:16, captions and fixes by comment.
Remove filler wordsUms, restarts and long pauses, cut by asking.
Descript alternativeFree, open source, on your Mac. Where Descript is better, too.
All guidesFrom script to posted video, step by step.