Photoshop MCP vs Rtcf

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

Photoshop MCP logoPhotoshop MCPMultimedia Process · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server for Adobe Photoshop automation - control Photoshop from AI assistants52GoodAuth: not declaredRtcf logoRtcfMultimedia Process · Remote HTTP/SSETurns rough requests into sharp Role/Task/Context/Format prompts. Thai and English.52GoodAuth: not declared

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

Which MCP server should you choose?

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

Rtcf logoChoose Rtcf when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
  • You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
  • You want tools like improve_prompt, improve_followup, build_prompt.
Explore Rtcf

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecPhotoshop MCP logoPhotoshop MCPRtcf logoRtcf
CategoryMultimedia ProcessMultimedia Process
Quality signal52/100 · Good52/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Remote HTTP/SSE
AuthNot declaredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars7280
Directory activity 8 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
ToolsNot listed3

Tools & capabilities

Photoshop MCP tools

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

Rtcf tools 3

  • improve_promptRewrite a rough prompt into a sharper, ready-to-use prompt structured as Role, Task, Context, Format (RTCF). Returns the improved prompt, its four parts, a short list of clarifying questions worth asking the user, and which model tier and effort level suit this kind of work. Use this before answering when the user's request is vague, or when the user asks to improve a prompt.
  • improve_followupWrite the user's NEXT message for an AI conversation that is already in progress (a follow-up). Use when the user wants to refine, deepen, or continue earlier work in this conversation. Do NOT use it for a brand-new task (use improve_prompt for that). Returns a short, ready-to-send continuation message that anchors to the existing work instead of restarting it. Requires an API key (add ?key=rk_live_... to the connector URL).
  • build_promptCompose a ready-to-use prompt from explicit Role, Task, Context, and Format parts. Use when the user already knows the pieces and wants them woven into one clean prompt.

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.

Photoshop MCP

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

Rtcf

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "rtcf": {
      "url": "https://rtcf.happlen.com/api/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Photoshop MCP is categorized under Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Rtcf belongs to Multimedia Process and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Pick Photoshop MCP for multimedia process work and Rtcf 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.

Photoshop MCP is listed as free. Rtcf has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. 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 photoshop-mcp and rtcf as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Photoshop MCP has a quality signal of 52/100 (Good) with 8 views, 0 installs and 728 GitHub stars. Rtcf has 52/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.