Davinc Resolve Local Bridge

Control DaVinci Resolve from any AI assistant — Claude, Cursor, Devin, and more.

215 tools. Full API coverage. Works with DaVinci Resolve Free and Studio.

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What Is This?

Davinc-Resolve-Local-Bridge-MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that gives AI assistants full control over DaVinci Resolve. It exposes 215 tools covering the entire Resolve scripting API — projects, timelines, media, Fusion, color grading, rendering, and more.

How It Works

Your AI Assistant (Claude, Cursor, Devin, etc.)
       │
       │  talks MCP (stdio)
       ▼
  mcp_server/server.py        ← runs on your machine
       │
       │  talks HTTP (localhost:8787)
       ▼
  Bridge-Connection-Script.py ← runs INSIDE DaVinci Resolve
       │                        (Workspace > Scripts menu)
       ▼
  DaVinci Resolve API         ← full read + write access

The bridge script runs inside DaVinci Resolve's process, giving it full access to the Resolve scripting API — even on the Free edition (which blocks external scripting). The MCP server runs as a separate process and proxies tool calls to the bridge over localhost HTTP.

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Quick Start

Prerequisites

• DaVinci Resolve 18.5+ (Free or Studio)
• Python 3.10+ on your machine
• An MCP-compatible AI assistant (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Devin, etc.)

Step 1 — Install the Bridge Script

Run the installer:

python install.py

Or manually copy bridge/Bridge-Connection-Script.py to Resolve's scripts folder:

Platform	Path
Windows	%APPDATA%\Roaming\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\Fusion\Scripts\Utility\
macOS	~/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Fusion/Scripts/Utility/
Linux	~/.local/share/DaVinciResolve/Fusion/Scripts/Utility/

Step 2 — Install MCP Server Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 3 — Configure Your AI Assistant

Add the MCP server to your assistant's configuration file. The server path is mcp_server/server.py in this repo.

Claude Desktop

Edit claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "davinci-resolve-local-bridge": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/Davinc-Resolve-Local-Bridge-MCP/mcp_server/server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Edit .cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "davinci-resolve-local-bridge": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/Davinc-Resolve-Local-Bridge-MCP/mcp_server/server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Devin

Edit mcp_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "resolve-local-bridge": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/Davinc-Resolve-Local-Bridge-MCP/mcp_server/server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add davinci-resolve-local-bridge -- python C:/path/to/Davinc-Resolve-Local-Bridge-MCP/mcp_server/server.py

Any MCP Client (generic)

The server uses stdio transport. Launch it with:

python mcp_server/server.py

Step 4 — Start the Bridge Inside DaVinci Resolve

1. Open DaVinci Resolve
2. Go to Workspace → Scripts → Bridge-Connection-Script
3. Look in the Console (Workspace → Console) for:

[Resolve Bridge] Connected to Resolve 21.0.4.5
[Resolve Bridge] HTTP server running on http://127.0.0.1:8787
[Resolve Bridge] 215 actions available

Step 5 — Start Using It

Ask your AI assistant:

"Check if DaVinci Resolve is connected"

The assistant will call the resolve_status tool and report back. Then try:

"Create a new 1920x1080 30fps project called 'My Video' and add a timeline"

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Architecture

Bridge Script (bridge/Bridge-Connection-Script.py)

A Python script that runs inside DaVinci Resolve via the Workspace > Scripts menu. It:

• Obtains the live resolve object from Fusion's globals
• Starts an HTTP server on 127.0.0.1:8787
• Exposes 3 endpoints:
  • GET /health — check if the bridge is alive
  • GET /actions — list all available action names
  • POST /action — execute an action by name with parameters
• Stays alive with a blocking serve_forever() call
• Kills any previous instance on the same port before starting

MCP Server (mcp_server/server.py)

A standalone MCP server that:

• Connects to the bridge over HTTP on localhost
• Auto-discovers all 215 actions from the bridge's /actions endpoint
• Exposes each action as an MCP tool with the resolve_ prefix
• Proxies tool calls to the bridge via POST /action
• Stays in sync with the bridge — no manual tool definitions needed

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All 215 Tools

The MCP server auto-discovers tools from the bridge. Each tool is prefixed with resolve_ (e.g., status becomes resolve_status). Pass parameters as a params object.

Resolve Application (15 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_status	—	Check bridge connectivity and get current project/timeline info
resolve_get_version	—	Get Resolve version info
resolve_get_current_page	—	Get the active page (edit, cut, color, etc.)
resolve_open_page	page	Switch to a page: edit, cut, fusion, color, fairlight, deliver, media
resolve_get_layout_presets	—	List available layout presets
resolve_load_layout_preset	presetName	Load a layout preset by name
resolve_get_keyframe_mode	—	Get current keyframe mode
resolve_set_keyframe_mode	keyframeMode	Set keyframe mode
resolve_get_fairlight_presets	—	List Fairlight audio presets
resolve_get_burnin_presets	—	List burn-in presets
resolve_import_render_preset	presetPath	Import a render preset from file
resolve_export_render_preset	presetName, exportPath	Export a render preset to file
resolve_open_fusion_page	—	Switch to Fusion page
resolve_open_edit_page	—	Switch to Edit page
resolve_open_deliver_page	—	Switch to Deliver page

Project Manager (18 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_create_project	name, width, height, fps	Create a new project
resolve_load_project	name	Load an existing project
resolve_save_project	—	Save the current project
resolve_close_project	—	Close the current project
resolve_delete_project	name	Delete a project
resolve_create_folder	folderName	Create a project folder
resolve_delete_folder	folderName	Delete a project folder
resolve_get_project_list	—	List projects in current folder
resolve_get_folder_list	—	List subfolders in current folder
resolve_get_current_folder	—	Get current folder name
resolve_open_folder	folderName	Open a folder
resolve_goto_root_folder	—	Navigate to root folder
resolve_goto_parent_folder	—	Navigate to parent folder
resolve_import_project	filePath, projectName	Import a .drp project
resolve_export_project	projectName, filePath, withStillsAndLUTs	Export a project as .drp
resolve_archive_project	projectName, filePath, ...	Archive a project
resolve_get_current_database	—	Get current database name
resolve_get_database_list	—	List available databases

Project Settings (7 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_project_name	—	Get current project name
resolve_set_project_name	name	Rename the current project
resolve_get_project_setting	key	Get a project setting by key
resolve_set_project_setting	key, value	Set a project setting
resolve_get_project_settings	—	Get all project settings
resolve_get_project_preset_list	—	List project presets
resolve_set_project_preset	presetName	Apply a project preset

Media Storage (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_mounted_volumes	—	List mounted storage volumes
resolve_get_subfolder_list	folderPath	List subfolders in a path
resolve_get_file_list	folderPath	List files in a folder
resolve_reveal_in_storage	path	Reveal a file in the OS file browser

Media Pool (13 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_import_media	paths (list)	Import media files into the pool
resolve_get_media_pool	—	List all clips in root folder
resolve_get_root_folder	—	Get root folder info
resolve_add_sub_folder	folderName, parentFolderName	Create a subfolder
resolve_set_current_folder	folderName	Set the current folder
resolve_delete_clips	clipNames (list)	Delete clips from pool
resolve_move_clips	clipNames, targetFolder	Move clips to a folder
resolve_relink_clips	clipNames, folderPath	Relink clips
resolve_unlink_clips	clipNames	Unlink clips
resolve_export_metadata	fileName, clipNames	Export metadata CSV
resolve_get_selected_clips	—	List selected clips
resolve_set_selected_clip	clipName	Select a clip
resolve_add_timeline_mattes	paths (list)	Add matte files

Timeline (21 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_create_timeline	name	Create a new empty timeline
resolve_create_timeline_from_clips	name, clipNames	Create timeline from clips
resolve_list_timelines	—	List all timelines
resolve_get_timeline_name	—	Get current timeline name
resolve_set_timeline_name	name	Rename current timeline
resolve_set_current_timeline	timelineIndex	Switch to timeline by index (1-based)
resolve_duplicate_timeline	—	Duplicate the current timeline
resolve_delete_timelines	timelineNames	Delete timelines
resolve_get_timeline_start_frame	—	Get start frame
resolve_get_timeline_end_frame	—	Get end frame
resolve_get_start_timecode	—	Get start timecode
resolve_set_start_timecode	timecode	Set start timecode
resolve_get_current_timecode	—	Get current timecode
resolve_set_current_timecode	timecode	Set current timecode
resolve_detect_scene_cuts	—	Detect scene cuts
resolve_create_subtitles_from_audio	settings	Auto-generate subtitles
resolve_timeline_export	fileName, exportType, exportSubtype	Export timeline
resolve_import_timeline_from_file	filePath	Import timeline from file
resolve_append_to_timeline	clipNames	Append clips to timeline
resolve_get_timeline_setting	key	Get a timeline setting
resolve_set_timeline_setting	key, value	Set a timeline setting

Timeline Tracks (11 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_track_count	trackType	Count tracks (video/audio/subtitle)
resolve_add_track	trackType	Add a track
resolve_delete_track	trackType, trackIndex	Delete a track
resolve_set_track_enable	trackType, trackIndex, enabled	Enable/disable a track
resolve_get_track_enable	trackType, trackIndex	Check if track is enabled
resolve_set_track_lock	trackType, trackIndex, locked	Lock/unlock a track
resolve_get_track_lock	trackType, trackIndex	Check if track is locked
resolve_get_track_name	trackType, trackIndex	Get track name
resolve_set_track_name	trackType, trackIndex, name	Set track name
resolve_get_items_in_track	trackType, index	List clips on a track
resolve_get_timeline_selected_clips	—	List selected timeline clips

Timeline Items (66 tools)

All item actions accept optional trackType, trackIndex, itemIndex to target a specific clip, or operate on the first selected clip if omitted.

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_item_name	trackType?, trackIndex?, itemIndex?	Get clip name
resolve_set_item_name	name, trackType?, ...	Rename a clip
resolve_get_item_duration	trackType?, ...	Get clip duration
resolve_get_item_start	trackType?, ...	Get clip start frame
resolve_get_item_end	trackType?, ...	Get clip end frame
resolve_get_item_property	key?, trackType?, ...	Get a clip property
resolve_set_item_property	key, value, trackType?, ...	Set a clip property
resolve_get_item_enabled	trackType?, ...	Check if clip is enabled
resolve_set_item_enabled	enabled, trackType?, ...	Enable/disable a clip
resolve_set_item_color	colorName, trackType?, ...	Set clip color
resolve_get_item_color	trackType?, ...	Get clip color
resolve_clear_item_color	trackType?, ...	Clear clip color
resolve_add_item_flag	color, trackType?, ...	Add a flag
resolve_get_item_flags	trackType?, ...	Get flags
resolve_clear_item_flags	color, trackType?, ...	Clear flags
resolve_add_item_marker	frameId, color, name, note?, ...	Add a marker
resolve_get_item_markers	trackType?, ...	Get markers
resolve_insert_generator	generatorName	Insert a generator
resolve_insert_fusion_generator	generatorName	Insert a Fusion generator
resolve_insert_fusion_composition	—	Insert a Fusion composition
resolve_insert_ofx_generator	generatorName	Insert an OFX generator
resolve_insert_title	titleName	Insert a title
resolve_insert_fusion_title	titleName	Insert a Fusion title
resolve_grab_still	—	Grab a still from current frame
resolve_grab_all_stills	—	Grab stills from all clips
resolve_create_compound_clip	name	Create a compound clip
resolve_create_fusion_clip	—	Create a Fusion clip
resolve_import_into_timeline	filePath, importOptions?	Import into timeline
resolve_stabilize	trackType?, ...	Stabilize a clip
resolve_smart_reframe	trackType?, ...	Smart Reframe a clip
resolve_create_magic_mask	mode, trackType?, ...	Create a Magic Mask
resolve_regenerate_magic_mask	trackType?, ...	Regenerate Magic Mask
resolve_get_item_track_info	trackType?, ...	Get track info for a clip
resolve_get_linked_items	trackType?, ...	Get linked items
resolve_set_item_cdl	cdl, trackType?, ...	Set CDL values
resolve_add_take	mediaPoolItemName, startFrame?, endFrame?	Add a take
resolve_get_takes_count	trackType?, ...	Count takes
resolve_select_take_by_index	idx, trackType?, ...	Select a take
resolve_finalize_take	trackType?, ...	Finalize the current take
resolve_copy_grades	targetItemNames, trackType?, ...	Copy grades to other clips
resolve_export_lut	exportType, path, trackType?, ...	Export a LUT
resolve_set_color_output_cache	cache_value, trackType?, ...	Set color output cache
resolve_set_fusion_output_cache	cache_value, trackType?, ...	Set Fusion output cache
resolve_get_clip_metadata	metadataType?	Get clip metadata
resolve_set_clip_metadata	metadataType, metadataValue	Set clip metadata
resolve_get_clip_property	propertyName?	Get clip property
resolve_set_clip_property	propertyName, propertyValue	Set clip property
resolve_link_proxy_media	proxyMediaFilePath	Link proxy media
resolve_unlink_proxy_media	—	Unlink proxy media
resolve_replace_clip	filePath	Replace clip with file
resolve_add_clip_marker	frameId, color, name, note?	Add a clip marker
resolve_get_clip_markers	—	Get clip markers
resolve_set_clip_color	colorName	Set clip color (media pool)
resolve_add_clip_flag	color	Add a clip flag
resolve_transcribe_clip_audio	useSpeakerDetection?	Transcribe audio
resolve_set_clip_mark_inout	markIn, markOut, type	Set mark in/out
resolve_clear_clip_mark_inout	type	Clear mark in/out
resolve_add_timeline_marker	frameId, color, name, note?	Add timeline marker
resolve_get_timeline_markers	—	Get timeline markers
resolve_delete_timeline_markers_by_color	color	Delete markers by color
resolve_delete_timeline_marker_at_frame	frameNum	Delete marker at frame
resolve_export_current_frame	filePath	Export current frame as still
resolve_apply_fairlight_preset	name	Apply Fairlight preset
resolve_get_quick_export_presets	—	List quick export presets

Fusion Compositions (14 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_create_fusion_comp	name	Create a Fusion composition
resolve_add_fusion_comp	trackType?, ...	Add a Fusion comp to a clip
resolve_import_fusion_comp	path, trackType?, ...	Import a .comp file
resolve_export_fusion_comp	path, compIndex?, trackType?, ...	Export a Fusion comp
resolve_load_fusion_comp_by_name	compName, trackType?, ...	Load a comp by name
resolve_delete_fusion_comp_by_name	compName, trackType?, ...	Delete a comp by name
resolve_rename_fusion_comp	oldName, newName, trackType?, ...	Rename a comp
resolve_get_item_fusion_comp_count	trackType?, ...	Count Fusion comps on a clip
resolve_get_item_fusion_comp_names	trackType?, ...	List Fusion comp names
resolve_get_current_comp	—	Get current Fusion composition
resolve_fusion_get_comp_list	—	List all open comps
resolve_fusion_new_comp	—	Create a new Fusion comp
resolve_fusion_save_comp	filePath	Save current comp
resolve_fusion_load_comp	filePath	Load a comp file
resolve_fusion_close_comp	—	Close current comp
resolve_fusion_render_comp	—	Render current comp

Fusion Tools (11 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_fusion_get_tool_list	—	List all tools/nodes in current comp
resolve_fusion_find_tool	name	Find a tool by name
resolve_fusion_delete_tool	name	Delete a tool
resolve_fusion_get_attrs	name	Get tool attributes
resolve_fusion_set_attrs	name, attrs	Set tool attributes
resolve_fusion_add_node	nodeType, name	Add a node (Background, Paint, Merge, etc.)
resolve_fusion_connect	fromNode, toNode, input	Connect two nodes
resolve_fusion_set_input	node, input, value, frame?	Set a node input (can keyframe)
resolve_fusion_get_input	node, input	Get a node input value
resolve_fusion_set_current_frame	frame	Set the current frame
resolve_fusion_get_current_frame	—	Get the current frame

Gallery (4 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_gallery_still_albums	—	List gallery still albums
resolve_get_gallery_powergrade_albums	—	List PowerGrade albums
resolve_create_gallery_still_album	—	Create a still album
resolve_create_powergrade_album	—	Create a PowerGrade album

Color / Nodes (7 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_node_count	—	Get node count on current clip
resolve_get_node_label	nodeIndex	Get a node label
resolve_get_node_lut	nodeIndex	Get a node's LUT
resolve_set_node_lut	nodeIndex, lutPath	Set a LUT on a node
resolve_set_node_enabled	nodeIndex, isEnabled	Enable/disable a node
resolve_reset_all_grades	—	Reset all grades
resolve_refresh_lut_list	—	Refresh the LUT list

Rendering (22 tools)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_get_render_formats	—	List render formats
resolve_get_render_codecs	renderFormat	List codecs for a format
resolve_get_current_render_format_codec	—	Get current format/codec
resolve_set_render_format_codec	format, codec	Set render format and codec
resolve_get_render_mode	—	Get render mode
resolve_set_render_mode	renderMode	Set render mode
resolve_get_render_resolutions	format, codec	List render resolutions
resolve_get_render_preset_list	—	List render presets
resolve_load_render_preset	presetName	Load a render preset
resolve_save_as_new_render_preset	presetName	Save a new render preset
resolve_delete_render_preset	presetName	Delete a render preset
resolve_set_render_settings	settings	Set render settings (TargetDir, CustomName, etc.)
resolve_add_render_job	—	Add a render job
resolve_delete_render_job	jobId	Delete a render job
resolve_delete_all_render_jobs	—	Delete all render jobs
resolve_get_render_job_list	—	List render jobs
resolve_start_rendering	jobIds?, isInteractiveMode?	Start rendering
resolve_stop_rendering	—	Stop rendering
resolve_is_rendering_in_progress	—	Check if rendering
resolve_get_render_status	jobId	Get render job status
resolve_render_with_quick_export	presetName	Quick export
resolve_render	settings?	Add job and start rendering

Speech & Subtitles (1 tool)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_generate_speech	text, voice?	Generate AI speech audio

Special (1 tool)

Tool	Parameters	Description
resolve_create_hand_animation	imagePath, ...	Create a hand-drawing animation (Daniel Batal technique)

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Troubleshooting

Bridge won't start

• Make sure DaVinci Resolve is running and a project is open
• Check the Console (Workspace → Console) for error messages
• Restart DaVinci Resolve — it only scans the Scripts folder at startup

"Could not connect to Resolve Bridge"

• Make sure you ran Workspace → Scripts → Bridge-Connection-Script inside Resolve
• Check that the console shows [Resolve Bridge] HTTP server running on http://127.0.0.1:8787
• If the port is already in use, close Resolve and reopen it (stale fuscript.exe processes can hold the port)

Tools return errors

• Call resolve_status first to verify connectivity
• Some actions require a project to be open, a timeline to exist, or a clip to be selected
• Error messages from the bridge indicate what's missing

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Technical Details

• Bridge port: 127.0.0.1:8787 (localhost only, no external access)
• Transport: HTTP/1.0 with Connection: close
• MCP transport: stdio
• Dependencies: mcp, requests (MCP server only; bridge uses pure stdlib)
• Resolve version: 18.5+ (tested on 21.0.4.5)
• Python: 3.10+ for MCP server; bridge uses Resolve's embedded Python

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License

MIT License — see LICENSE file.

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Credits

Created by The Geek Gods. Inspired by the DaVinci Resolve scripting community.