How to add Aseprite MCP Tools to Claude Desktop

Give AI assistants full control over Aseprite to create pixel art and animated sprites. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 205★ · stdio · no auth

Claude Desktop config for Aseprite MCP Tools

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aseprite-mcp-tools": {
      "command": "/opt/homebrew/bin/uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "/path/to/repo",
        "run",
        "-m",
        "aseprite_mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
2Paste the Aseprite MCP Tools config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
5Open a chat and confirm Aseprite MCP Tools's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

Python 3.13+
uv package manager
Aseprite (set ASEPRITE_PATH in .env if it is not on your PATH)

What Aseprite MCP Tools can do in Claude Desktop

create_canvas

Create a new sprite with the given dimensions.

add_layer

Add a new layer, optionally inside a named group.

add_group

Add a new (optionally nested) group layer.

add_frame

Append a new frame.

set_frame

Set the active frame.

set_frame_duration

Set one frame's duration in ms.

set_layer

Set the active layer (optionally creating it).

draw_pixels

Plot individual pixels with per-pixel colors.

Security

The `run_lua_script` tool executes arbitrary Aseprite Lua code on the host in batch mode — only pass scripts you trust. Several tools read and write `.aseprite` files and export images to the local filesystem.

Aseprite MCP Tools + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Aseprite MCP Tools config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Aseprite MCP Tools safe to use with Claude Desktop?

Do I need Aseprite installed?

Yes. The server drives a real Aseprite binary in batch mode. Install Aseprite locally and set ASEPRITE_PATH in .env if it is not on your PATH, or run via the provided Docker image (which can install Aseprite via SteamCMD with Steam credentials).

How do I run it?

Add the mcpServers config block to your MCP client, pointing the uv command at the cloned repo directory and running `-m aseprite_mcp`. It requires Python 3.13+ and the uv package manager. A Docker image and docker-compose setup are also provided.

Is the raw Lua tool safe?

run_lua_script executes arbitrary, unrestricted Aseprite Lua on the host. Only pass scripts you trust.

View repo Full Aseprite MCP Tools page