# j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp [Health: Active]

**Category:** 🎨 Art & Culture  
**Repository:** https://github.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp  
**GitHub Stars:** 5  
**npm Downloads (last month):** 221  
**Views:** 2  
**Installs:** 0  
**Upvotes:** 0  
**Directory Page:** https://allmcps.com/mcp/j-east-pixel-surgeon-mcp

## Description
AI image and video generation, editing, and transplant-grade region repair. Multi-provider (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, GPT Image 2, Grok Imagine, Veo 3), 9 tools, 4 style presets, grid-based and interactive crop repair. npx pixel-surgeon-mcp

## Tools
Capabilities this server exposes over MCP:

- **list_images** — List image and video files in the shared pixel-surgeon directory (/home/user/Pictures/pixel-surgeon). Use this to find images available for editing.
- **save_image** — Copy an image file into the shared pixel-surgeon directory (/home/user/Pictures/pixel-surgeon) so it can be used with edit_image. Use this when the user wants to edit an image that exists elsewhere on their filesystem.
- **generate_images** — Generate multiple images in parallel. Supports Gemini and OpenAI models — pass the model param to choose. Returns the generated images and any accompanying text. Full-resolution images are viewable in the browser viewer.
- **generate_image** — Generate a single image. Supports Gemini and OpenAI models — pass the model param to choose. Full-resolution image is viewable in the browser viewer.
- **generate_video** — Generate a video using Google's Veo 3. Returns an MP4 video file. Video generation takes 1-3 minutes — the tool will poll until complete. Veo 3 generates both video and ambient audio. Videos are saved to the shared directory and viewable in the browser viewer.
- **edit_image** — Edit an existing image. Supports Gemini and OpenAI models — pass the model param to choose. Provide the filename of an image in /home/user/Pictures/pixel-surgeon (use list_images to see available files, or save_image to import one first). The MCP reads the file directly — do NOT pass base64 image data.
- **fix_image** — Fix an image that has glitched or garbled text by splitting it into tiles, re-rendering each tile, and stitching them back together. This works because smaller sections have less text for the model to handle at once. Use this when a generated image has text artifacts or overloaded text regions.
- **fix_region** — Fix a specific region of an image by cropping it out, sending it for repair, and reinserting it. The crop is automatically snapped to the nearest supported aspect ratio. Use this when only part of an image has glitched text or artifacts — more precise than fix_image's grid approach.
- **interactive_fix** — Opens an image in a browser-based crop tool where the user can draw a rectangle around the region to fix, add notes/instructions, and submit. The tool waits for the user's selection, then sends the cropped region for repair and composites it back into the original image. Best for precise, user-guided fixes.
- **remove_background** — Remove a background color from an image and make it transparent. Outputs a PNG with alpha channel. The image must already exist in /home/user/Pictures/pixel-surgeon (use save_image to import first).
- **trace_to_svg** — Convert a raster image to SVG using potrace vectorization. Best for line art, diagrams, logos, and high-contrast images. The image must already exist in /home/user/Pictures/pixel-surgeon (use save_image to import first).

## Claude Desktop Quick Installation
Install path detected from listing signals. Uses `npx` (confidence: high):

```json
"mcpServers": {
  "pixel-surgeon-mcp": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y","pixel-surgeon-mcp"]
  }
}
```

## Documentation & README

<p align="center">
  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp/HEAD/assets/architecture.png" alt="pixel-surgeon-mcp architecture" width="800" />
</p>

<h1 align="center">pixel-surgeon-mcp</h1>

<p align="center">
  <strong>MCP server for AI image &amp; video generation, editing, and transplant-grade region repair</strong><br/>
  Powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, OpenAI GPT Image 2, Grok Imagine, and Veo 3
</p>

<p align="center">
  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/MCP-stdio-blue" alt="MCP stdio" />
  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Gemini_3.1-Flash_Image-4285F4?logo=google" alt="Gemini" />
  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/GPT_Image_2-OpenAI-412991?logo=openai&logoColor=white" alt="OpenAI" />
  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Grok_Imagine-xAI-000000?logo=x&logoColor=white" alt="Grok" />
  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Veo_3-Video-34A853?logo=google" alt="Veo 3" />
  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-5.9-3178C6?logo=typescript&logoColor=white" alt="TypeScript" />
</p>

---

An [MCP](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) server that gives Claude (or any MCP client) the ability to generate images, edit them, fix garbled text, and create videos — all through natural language.

## How it works

pixel-surgeon-mcp is a **multi-provider** image generation server. You can use any combination of providers and switch between them per-request:

### Gemini (Google) — balanced

Google's image generation pipeline uses a two-stage approach: **Gemini 3.1 Pro** reasons about your prompt, then **Gemini 3.1 Flash Image** renders the pixels. Supports 9 aspect ratios at 512/1K/2K/4K resolution. Best price/performance ratio, with a free tier available.

### OpenAI GPT Image 2 — highest quality

OpenAI's latest image model with dramatically improved text rendering and visual fidelity. Supports flexible resolutions — pixel-surgeon maps your chosen size and aspect ratio to the optimal pixel dimensions automatically. Quality levels: `medium` (fast) and `high` (print-ready). **Excellent for infographics, diagrams, and text-heavy images** where other models struggle. Slower and more expensive.

### Grok Imagine (xAI) — fastest

xAI's Aurora-powered image model. Fastest generation speed and lowest cost. Supports 7 aspect ratios at fixed resolutions (~1K). Good for rapid prototyping and iteration.

### Veo 3 (Video)

For video, the server calls **Veo 3** with async polling — generating both video and ambient audio. Supports 16:9 and 9:16 at 5s or 8s duration.

### Region repair

AI image models struggle with text-heavy images. The fix tools solve this by sending smaller regions to the provider, then stitching the results back with histogram-matched compositing for seamless blending.

## Tools

| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `generate_image` | Text-to-image generation (single image) |
| `generate_images` | Parallel batch generation (1-8 images) |
| `generate_video` | Text-to-video via Veo 3 with audio (5s or 8s) |
| `edit_image` | Edit an existing image with natural language instructions |
| `fix_image` | Grid-based tile repair for garbled text (2x2, 3x3, etc.) |
| `fix_region` | Targeted region repair with automatic aspect ratio snapping |
| `interactive_fix` | Browser-based crop UI with multi-shot selection |
| `list_images` | List generated images and videos |
| `save_image` | Import an external image into the workspace |
| `remove_background` | Remove image background (alpha channel transparency) |

## Models

| Model | Provider | Resolution | Best for |
|-------|----------|-----------|----------|
| `gemini-3.1-flash-image` | Google | 512 / 1K / 2K / 4K | General image generation, photo-realistic scenes |
| `gemini-2.5-flash-image` | Google | 1K max (free tier) | Quick drafts, prototyping |
| `gpt-image-2` | OpenAI | Flexible (up to 4K) | Text-heavy images, infographics, diagrams, typography |
| `gpt-image-1` | OpenAI | 3 fixed sizes | Legacy support |
| `grok-imagine` | xAI | Fixed (~1K per ratio) | Fast iteration, lowest cost |

Force a specific model per-call via the `model` tool parameter, or set `DEFAULT_IMAGE_MODEL` env var.

### Gemini automatic fallback

If a Gemini generation call fails with a billing / prepay error, the server automatically retries on the free-tier **`gemini-2.5-flash-image`** model. The viewer shows a yellow banner when this happens. Free-tier limits: 1K max resolution, 10 RPM, 500 RPD.

## Style presets

All generation and edit tools support an optional `style` parameter:

### `neo-brutalist`
Magazine editorial, bold typography, halftone textures. Cream, black, and terracotta palette.

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp/HEAD/assets/style-neo-brutalist.png" alt="neo-brutalist style example" width="400" />

### `duval-software-infographic`
Duval Software's signature retro-futurist infographic style. 1960s Space Age meets 1980s arcade. Cathode blue, amber, and salmon palette. Great for diagrams and system overviews.

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp/HEAD/assets/style-neo-retro-futurism.png" alt="duval-software-infographic style example" width="400" />

### `fractal-arcade`
Dithered fractals, Sierpinski patterns, low-poly. CRT retro, Amiga/EGA palette.

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp/HEAD/assets/style-fractal-arcade.png" alt="fractal-arcade style example" width="400" />

### `clean-tech-infographic`
Technical diagrams, system flows, data pipelines. Dark navy, cyan, and electric blue.

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp/HEAD/assets/style-clean-tech-infographic.png" alt="clean-tech-infographic style example" width="600" />

## Setup

### Get your API key(s)

You need at least one provider API key. You can use any combination for maximum flexibility.

#### Google (Gemini + Veo 3)

1. Go to [Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey)
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Click **Create API Key** and copy it

> **Prepayment required.** Gemini 3.1 Flash Image and Veo 3 require billing and prepaid credits. The free-tier fallback (2.5 Flash) has limited resolution and rate limits. See [Google AI pricing](https://ai.google.dev/pricing).

#### OpenAI (GPT Image 2)

1. Go to [OpenAI API](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys)
2. Sign in or create an account
3. Click **Create new secret key** and copy it
4. Ensure you have API credits — image generation is billed per request

> GPT Image 2 excels at text rendering, infographics, and diagrams. If you primarily need text-heavy images, this is the provider to use.

#### xAI (Grok Imagine)

1. Go to [xAI Console](https://console.x.ai/)
2. Sign in or create an account
3. Create an API key and copy it

> Grok Imagine is the fastest and cheapest provider. Great for rapid iteration and prototyping. Fixed output resolutions (~1K) with no size control.

### Quick start (npx)

No install needed — run directly with npx. Pass whichever API keys you have:

```bash
npx pixel-surgeon-mcp
```

#### Claude Code CLI

```bash
claude mcp add pixel-surgeon \
  -e GOOGLE_API_KEY=your-google-key \
  -e OPENAI_API_KEY=your-openai-key \
  -e XAI_API_KEY=your-xai-key \
  -- npx pixel-surgeon-mcp
```

#### Claude Desktop / MCP client config

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pixel-surgeon": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["pixel-surgeon-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_API_KEY": "your-google-api-key",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-openai-api-key",
        "XAI_API_KEY": "your-xai-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Install from source

If you prefer a local clone:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/j-east/pixel-surgeon-mcp.git
cd pixel-surgeon-mcp
npm install
npm run build
```

### Image output

Generated images are saved to `~/Pictures/pixel-surgeon/`. A local browser viewer auto-launches on first use for full-resolution previews with model selection, respin controls, and search.

## Development

```bash
npm run dev    # tsx watch mode
npm run build  # compile TypeScript
npm run start  # run compiled server
```

## Key implementation details

- **Aspect ratio snapping** — crops are adjusted to the nearest Gemini-supported ratio while preserving center point
- **Histogram matching** — per-channel RGB normalization ensures composited regions blend seamlessly
- **Human-in-the-loop** — `interactive_fix` opens a browser crop UI, blocks via Promise until the user submits, fires parallel Gemini calls, and lets the user pick the best result
- **MCP size limits** — full-resolution images are saved to disk; downsampled versions (< 950KB) are returned in MCP responses

## Contributing

PRs are welcome! We're especially looking for:

### New style presets

Add entries to the `STYLE_PRESETS` object in `src/index.ts`. Your PR should include:

- The preset definition (name, prompt prefix, default aspect ratio)
- 2-3 example images generated with the preset (drop them in your PR description)
- A short description of the visual style for the README table

### Model adapters

The server currently supports Gemini, OpenAI, Grok Imagine, and Veo 3. We'd love adapters for other image/video generation APIs — Stable Diffusion, Flux, etc. If you're interested in adding one, open an issue first so we can align on the interface.

## Built by Duval Software

pixel-surgeon-mcp is maintained by [John Evans](https://github.com/j-east), part of the engineering team at [Duval Software](https://duvalsoftware.com) — a software engineering firm in Jacksonville Beach, FL building AI-powered tools and custom integrations. If you need MCP servers, AI pipelines, or production tooling built, [get in touch](https://duvalsoftware.com).

## License

MIT