MCP Arr vs Photoshop MCP

A side-by-side look at the MCP Arr and Photoshop MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

MCP Arr logoMCP ArrMultimedia Process · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server for *arr media suite - Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Readarr, Prowlarr69GreatAuth: api key requiredPhotoshop MCP logoPhotoshop MCPMultimedia Process · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server for Adobe Photoshop automation - control Photoshop from AI assistants52GoodAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose MCP Arr for multimedia process work as a local process; choose Photoshop MCP for multimedia process as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

MCP Arr logoChoose MCP Arr when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You want tools like arr_status, search, fetch.
Explore MCP Arr

Photoshop MCP logoChoose Photoshop MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
Explore Photoshop MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecMCP Arr logoMCP ArrPhotoshop MCP logoPhotoshop MCP
CategoryMultimedia ProcessMultimedia Process
Quality signal69/100 · Great52/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthAPI key requiredNot declared
PricingFreeFree
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars232685
Directory activity 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 7 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools11Not listed

Tools & capabilities

MCP Arr tools 11

  • arr_statusGet status of all supported *arr services. No local *arr services are currently configured, but TRaSH reference tools remain available.
  • searchSearch across configured *arr libraries plus TRaSH Guides reference profiles. This is the primary discovery tool for remote MCP clients such as ChatGPT.
  • fetchFetch a specific item returned by search. Accepts an opaque item id from the search tool.
  • arr_search_allSearch across all configured *arr services for any media
  • trash_list_profilesList available TRaSH Guides quality profiles for Radarr or Sonarr. Shows recommended profiles for different use cases (1080p, 4K, Remux, etc.)
  • trash_get_profileGet a specific TRaSH Guides quality profile with all custom format scores, quality settings, and implementation details
  • trash_list_custom_formatsList available TRaSH Guides custom formats. Can filter by category: hdr, audio, resolution, source, streaming, anime, unwanted, release, language
  • trash_get_namingGet TRaSH Guides recommended naming conventions for your media server (Plex, Emby, Jellyfin, or standard)
  • trash_get_quality_sizesGet TRaSH Guides recommended min/max/preferred sizes for each quality level
  • trash_compare_profileCompare your quality profile against TRaSH Guides recommendations. Shows missing custom formats, scoring differences, and quality settings. Requires the corresponding *arr service to be configured.
  • trash_compare_namingCompare your naming configuration against TRaSH Guides recommendations. Requires the corresponding *arr service to be configured.

Photoshop MCP tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

Ready-to-paste client configs

Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.

MCP Arr

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-arr": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-arr-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Photoshop MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "photoshop-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "-p",
        "@alisaitteke/photoshop-mcp",
        "ui"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

MCP Arr is categorized under Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Photoshop MCP belongs to Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Arr for multimedia process work and Photoshop MCP for multimedia process.

Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.

MCP Arr is listed as free. Auth: api key required. Photoshop MCP is listed as free. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.

Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add mcp-arr and photoshop-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, MCP Arr has a quality signal of 69/100 (Great) with 3 views, 0 installs and 232 GitHub stars. Photoshop MCP has 52/100 (Good) with 7 views, 0 installs and 685 GitHub stars.