Manim MCP Server is an MCP server designed to empower AI models with dynamic animation capabilities using Manim. It executes Manim Python scripts, generating video outputs that can be seamlessly integrated into AI workflows. This server addresses the challenge of creating visually engaging content programmatically, allowing developers to leverage AI to produce educational videos, presentations, and more.

The server saves animation outputs in a designated media folder and offers options for cleaning up temporary files, ensuring efficient resource management. Its portable design and configuration via environment variables simplify deployment and integration. By adding the server to your claude_desktop_config.json, AI models like Claude can directly request and utilize Manim animations. This unlocks new possibilities for AI-driven content creation, making complex concepts accessible through visually appealing animations. Manim MCP Server bridges the gap between AI and creative expression.

Executes Manim Python Scripts

The core function of the manim-mcp-server is to execute Manim scripts provided by a client, typically an AI model. It receives the script, processes it using the Manim library, and generates a video or animation as output. This process involves invoking the Manim engine, compiling the script, rendering the animation frames, and encoding them into a video file. The server acts as a bridge, allowing AI models to leverage Manim's powerful animation capabilities without needing to directly manage the complexities of the Manim library itself. The server then returns the path to the generated video file to the client.

A practical use case is an AI model that generates educational content. The AI can create a Manim script to visually explain a complex mathematical concept and then use the manim-mcp-server to render this script into an engaging animation. The AI can then incorporate this animation into its educational material. The server abstracts away the rendering process, allowing the AI to focus on content creation.

Saves Animation Output

The manim-mcp-server saves the generated animation output in a designated media folder. This feature ensures that the rendered videos are persistently stored and easily accessible. The location of this folder can be configured, allowing users to manage where the animations are saved. By saving the output, the server enables clients to retrieve and utilize the generated animations for various purposes, such as embedding them in web applications, including them in presentations, or further processing them with other tools. This persistent storage is crucial for integrating dynamic animations into larger workflows.

For example, a marketing team could use an AI model to automatically generate promotional videos using Manim. The manim-mcp-server would save these videos to a shared media folder, allowing the marketing team to easily access and distribute them across different channels. This eliminates the need for manual rendering and ensures that all generated animations are readily available.

Configurable via Environment Variables

The manim-mcp-server is designed to be portable and configurable through environment variables. This allows users to customize the server's behavior without modifying the code directly. Environment variables can be used to specify the path to the Manim executable, the output directory for animations, and other settings. This approach simplifies deployment and configuration, especially in containerized environments or when integrating with different systems. By using environment variables, the server can adapt to various environments and user preferences.

Consider a scenario where the manim-mcp-server is deployed in a Docker container. Environment variables can be used to specify the location of the Manim executable within the container and the desired output directory on the host machine. This allows the server to run seamlessly in the containerized environment without requiring any changes to the code. This flexibility is essential for modern deployment workflows.

Integration Advantages

The manim-mcp-server offers significant integration advantages within the MCP ecosystem. By adhering to the MCP standard, it provides a consistent and secure interface for AI models to access Manim's animation capabilities. This standardization simplifies the process of integrating animation generation into AI-driven applications. The server's client-server architecture ensures that the AI model and the Manim rendering process are decoupled, improving security and stability. Furthermore, the server can be easily integrated with various AI platforms and frameworks that support the MCP protocol, enabling a wide range of applications.

For instance, an AI-powered presentation tool could use the manim-mcp-server to dynamically generate animated charts and diagrams. By integrating with the server through the MCP protocol, the presentation tool can seamlessly incorporate these animations into its slides, enhancing the visual appeal and clarity of the presentations. This integration simplifies the development process and ensures that the animation generation is handled securely and efficiently.