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Connect DaVinci Resolve to Claude Code with MCP

September 14, 2026

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is how an AI agent talks to tools. A Resolve MCP server exposes Resolve's scripting API as tools the agent can call: import media, cut on the timeline, apply grades, render. Once it is connected, "cut this interview down to the best 3 minutes" becomes a thing you can type instead of do.

Requirements

  • DaVinci Resolve 19 or newer (free version works; Studio unlocks more scripting)
  • Claude Code installed and signed in
  • Python 3.10+ (Resolve's scripting API is Python-based)

Step 1: Enable Resolve scripting

In Resolve: Preferences, System, General, set External scripting using to Local. Restart Resolve. Without this, no MCP server can reach it.

Step 2: Install a Resolve MCP server

Several open source servers exist; search GitHub for "davinci resolve mcp" and pick one that is actively maintained. Typical install:

git clone <the-server-repo>
cd <the-server-repo>
pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 3: Register it with Claude Code

claude mcp add resolve -- python /path/to/resolve-mcp/server.py

Check it is connected:

claude mcp list

Step 4: First test

Open a project in Resolve, then start Claude Code and ask:

"List the media pool contents of the current Resolve project."

If the agent answers with your clips, the pipeline works. Try a real command next: importing a folder, creating a timeline, adding a cut.

Troubleshooting

  • Agent says the tool is unavailable: Resolve must be running with a project open before the MCP server starts.
  • Connection refused: re-check the External scripting preference; it resets to None in some updates.
  • Scripting API not found: the server needs the environment variables Resolve documents in its scripting README (RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API, RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB). Most servers set them automatically on macOS.

What to do with it

Browse skills for Resolve and install one with npx editfork add <slug>. Skills encode working tool sequences, so your agent skips the trial and error someone else already did.