Kdenlive 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

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

• mcp>=1.28.0: FastMCP server framework for MCP protocol
• cli-anything-kdenlive @ git+https://github.com/HKUDS/CLI-Anything.git#subdirectory=kdenlive/agent-harness:
  • CLI harness for Kdenlive video editing via melt
  • Includes Gen 5 MLT XML format rewrite (PR #216)
  • Provides Python API for project management

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

• CLI-Anything Kdenlive
• Kdenlive Documentation
• FastMCP Documentation
• MLT XML Format
• Model Context Protocol