Rime MCP MCP Server

MCP server for Rime

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Rime MCP MCP server?

MCP server for Rime. The rime mcp mcp server wraps that behind the Model Context Protocol, so an assistant can use it through 7 defined tools rather than through you.

What it actually does

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides text-to-speech capabilities using the Rime API. This server downloads audio and plays it using the system's native audio player.

  • Exposes a speak tool that converts text to speech and plays it through system audio
  • Uses Rime's high-quality voice synthesis API

Adding it to your client

The server ships on npm as @smithery/cli, so your MCP client can launch it on demand — there is no separate build step. Add the server block to your client's configuration, restart it, and the tools register themselves.

Its toolset

Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:

  • macOS — Uses afplay
  • Windows — Built-in Media.SoundPlayer (PowerShell)
  • Linux — mpg123, mplayer, aplay, or ffplay
  • RIME_GUIDANCE — The main description of when and how to use the speak tool
  • RIME_WHO_TO_ADDRESS — Who the speech should address (default: "user")
  • RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK — When the tool should be used (default: "when asked to speak or when finishing a command")
  • RIME_VOICE — The default voice to use (default: "cove")

Configuration

You will need 3 environment variables: RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK, RIME_GUIDANCE, RIME_API_KEY. The server will not start without them, which is usually why the tools fail to appear on a first run. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.

  • Node.js 16.x or higher - A working audio output device - macOS: Uses afplay There's sample code from Claude for the following that is not tested 🤙✨ - Windows: Built-in Media.SoundPlayer (PowerShell) - Linux: mpg123, mplayer, aplay, or ffplay

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the rime mcp mcp server does with a few real requests.

When to reach for it

Among the AI and media services options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Rime MCP's toolset — macOS, Windows, Linux and 4 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by MatthewDailey; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Rime MCP's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
macOSUses afplay
WindowsBuilt-in Media.SoundPlayer (PowerShell)
Linuxmpg123, mplayer, aplay, or ffplay
RIME_GUIDANCEThe main description of when and how to use the speak tool
RIME_WHO_TO_ADDRESSWho the speech should address (default: "user")
RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAKWhen the tool should be used (default: "when asked to speak or when finishing a command")
RIME_VOICEThe default voice to use (default: "cove")

How to install the Rime MCP MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "rime": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@smithery/cli"],
      "env": {
        "RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK": "your-value",
        "RIME_GUIDANCE": "your-value",
        "RIME_API_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

  • Node.js 16.x or higher - A working audio output device - macOS: Uses afplay There's sample code from Claude for the following that is not tested 🤙✨ - Windows: Built-in Media.SoundPlayer (PowerShell) - Linux: mpg123, mplayer, aplay, or ffplay
VariableDescriptionRequired
RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAKConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
RIME_GUIDANCEConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
RIME_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use Rime MCP to macOS.
  • Use Rime MCP to Windows.
  • Use Rime MCP to Linux.

Frequently asked questions

Node.js 16.x or higher and a working audio output device. On macOS, `afplay` is used; sample code for Windows and Linux is provided but not tested.