Shotgrid MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation using fastmcp

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Shotgrid MCP server?

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation using fastmcp. That is what the shotgrid mcp server brings to an AI assistant: the same capability, reachable through the Model Context Protocol rather than a separate app or dashboard.

The short version

ShotGrid MCP Server enables AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code Copilot to interact directly with your ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) data. Built on FastMCP, it provides a high-performance bridge between AI tools and production tracking workflows.

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 10 tools. What each one is for:

  • Category — Tools
  • CRUD — create_entity, find_one_entity, search_entities, update_entity, delete_entity
  • Batch — batch_create, batch_update, batch_delete
  • Media — download_thumbnail, upload_thumbnail
  • Notes — shotgrid.note.create, shotgrid.note.read, shotgrid.note.update
  • Playlists — create_playlist, find_playlists
  • Demo — The Demo tool exposed by this server
  • Installation — The Installation tool exposed by this server
  • Configuration — The Configuration tool exposed by this server
  • Usage — The Usage tool exposed by this server

What it needs from you

Configuration is passed through the environment: SHOTGRID_URL, SHOTGRID_SCRIPT_NAME, SHOTGRID_SCRIPT_KEY. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.

Getting it running

The server ships on PyPI as shotgrid-mcp-server, 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.

How it compares

Among the planning and project tracking 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. Shotgrid's toolset — Category, CRUD, Batch and 7 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow.

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

Things to watch

  • 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.
  • With 10 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Shotgrid.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
CategoryTools
CRUDcreate_entity, find_one_entity, search_entities, update_entity, delete_entity
Batchbatch_create, batch_update, batch_delete
Mediadownload_thumbnail, upload_thumbnail
Notesshotgrid.note.create, shotgrid.note.read, shotgrid.note.update
Playlistscreate_playlist, find_playlists
DemoThe Demo tool exposed by this server.
InstallationThe Installation tool exposed by this server.
ConfigurationThe Configuration tool exposed by this server.
UsageThe Usage tool exposed by this server.

How to install the Shotgrid MCP server

### HTTP Transport (Remote)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shotgrid": {
      "url": "http://your-server:8000/mcp",
      "transport": { "type": "http" }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
SHOTGRID_URLEndpoint or connection string the server talks to.Yes
SHOTGRID_SCRIPT_NAMEConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
SHOTGRID_SCRIPT_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use Shotgrid to Category.
  • Use Shotgrid to CRUD.
  • Use Shotgrid to Batch.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Shotgrid to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 10 tools (Category, CRUD, Batch, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Shotgrid directly.