FXHoudini MCP Server

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The most comprehensive MCP server for SideFX Houdini

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Category: Dev Tools #50 of 438
Stars: ★ 325 Very popular
Transport: stdio (local process) · Streamable HTTP
Runtime: Python 3.10+
Credentials: No credential needed
License: MIT
Last commit: 6 days ago
Tools: 100

65FMRS · C

This is a feature-rich MCP server that exposes Houdini's powerful capabilities through a natural language interface to AI. Its extensive toolset covers almost all major Houdini contexts, making it suitable for VFX artists and TDs. However, attention must be paid to security and performance overhead.

Strongest · Documentation 15/20 Weakest · Reliability 11/20

Reliability

11/20

Security and permissions

11/20

Maintenance

15/20

Documentation

15/20

Setup experience

13/20

Why each score

Reliability 11/20: The repository shows active development (many commits, version history) and detailed test descriptions (unit, integration, perf sweep). While source code was not directly inspected, presence of test suites and CI workflows (presumably in .github) and structured error handling boost reliability. But since nothing is executed and test details are unverified, score capped at 12. Deduction: lack of direct execution evidence, cannot confirm tool-behavior alignment.
Security and permissions 11/20: Architecture shows local loopback binding (127.0.0.1) and explicit disclosure of security risk ('bridge runs arbitrary Python in your Houdini session and has no authentication'). Default binding is safe. No malicious indicators found. Deduction: no evidence of enforced permission control or explicit confirmation mechanisms (e.g., confirmation for dangerous operations), and source not reviewed. Less than full marks.
Maintenance 15/20: Repository is actively maintained: README shows frequent commits, stable releases (PyPI version) and MIT license. Commit history documents sustained development. Deduction: no direct inspection of GitHub repo data (e.g., stars, issues), but used as instructed. README shows active maintenance badges.
Documentation 15/20: Large README covers installation, architecture, env vars, development, and troubleshooting. Includes config examples (Claude Code, Claude Desktop) and detailed explanations. Deduction: did not inspect actual prompt documentation or source, some claims (e.g., '31 workflow guides') unverified in source, weakening evidence.
Setup experience 13/20: Install steps are clear: install via pip and set up with `python -m fxhoudinimcp install`, with specific config examples for major MCP clients. Manual installation details and troubleshooting section provided. Deduction: static review does not verify steps, and requirement to install both Houdini plugin and MCP server adds complexity. Static demo score capped at 15.

Static review · not runListed 2026-08-07

Read the FMRS scoring method →

Fit and risk

What it can accessRuns commands or codeUses the network

Best for

VFX artists and TDs who want to accelerate Houdini workflows with AI assistants
Users needing procedural modeling and simulation setup
Users familiar with Houdini but wanting to automate repetitive tasks

Not for

Users without Houdini 20.5+
Scenarios requiring real-time interactive operation with low latency
Environments with strict security policies that cannot accept arbitrary Python execution

Required permissions

Access Houdini's Python API to execute arbitrary hou.* calls
Run code on Houdini's main thread, potentially blocking the UI
Communicate with local Houdini over HTTP port (default 8100)
May read/write files depending on tools used (e.g., rendering, caching)

Risks and side effects

Arbitrary Python execution: improper AI instructions could damage scenes or systems
Network port exposure: default binds to loopback, but widening could allow unauthorized access
Performance overhead: each call has ~50 ms main-thread latency; many calls can slow Houdini
Version compatibility: outdated plugins may cause malfunctions

Setup

Before you start

Runtime：Python 3.10+

Other optional settings (8)

HOUDINI_HOST optional Houdini host read by the MCP server process, default localhost; set in your MCP client, not the Houdini package file.

HOUDINI_PORT optional hwebserver port read by the MCP server process, default 8100; pinning it disables the 8100-8115 port scan.

FXHOUDINIMCP_PORT optional Port the Houdini plugin listens on, default 8100; set in the Houdini package file and keep in sync with HOUDINI_PORT.

FXHOUDINIMCP_AUTOSTART optional Auto-start the plugin server when the UI is ready, default 1; set 0 to disable. Lives in the Houdini package file.

FXHOUDINIMCP_AUTO_LAYOUT optional Automatic node layout, default 1; set 0 to preserve manual layouts. Lives in the Houdini package file.

FXHOUDINIMCP_BIND optional Address the plugin binds, default 127.0.0.1; the bridge runs arbitrary Python with no authentication, so only widen on a trusted network.

MCP_TRANSPORT optional MCP transport, stdio or streamable-http, default stdio; set in your MCP client.

LOG_LEVEL optional Logging level, default INFO; set in your MCP client.

Install via pip: pip install fxhoudinimcp
Run the installer: python -m fxhoudinimcp install
Restart Houdini and your MCP client.
Check the MCP menu in Houdini's menu bar.

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fxhoudini": {
      "command": "C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Python311\\\\python.exe",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "fxhoudinimcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Shown for Claude Desktop. Other clients may use a different file or key (VS Code uses "servers") — the configurator below converts it.

.vscode/mcp.json

{
  "servers": {
    "fxhoudini": {
      "command": "C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Python311\\\\python.exe",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "fxhoudinimcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Goes in your project's .vscode/mcp.json (VS Code uses a "servers" key).

Terminal

claude mcp add fxhoudini -- 'C:\\Program Files\\Python311\\python.exe' -m fxhoudinimcp

Run it in a terminal; replace any <…> placeholders with your own values first.

Generate and validate client config

Check that it works

After installing, restart Houdini and your MCP client and check that an MCP menu appears in Houdini's menu bar; then call get_scene_info or get_houdini_connection_status from your client — structured info about the running Houdini session confirms the bridge works.

Troubleshooting

No MCP menu: check Houdini package log (set HOUDINI_PACKAGE_VERBOSE=1) to confirm package file loading
Connection issues: run get_houdini_connection_status to check connection, ensure ports match
Plugin not loading: check file paths in package file, avoid BOM encoding issues
Port conflicts: if the port is occupied, Houdini adjusts automatically; client must scan ports

Things to try

Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant things like:

Build a procedural rock generator with mountain displacement under /obj using build_network, then verify the network
Set up a Pyro simulation with a sphere source
Give me a network overview and analyze why my scene has cooking errors
Create an HDA from the selected subnet and install it

Tools 100

build_network writes

Build node networks with atomic validation.

verify_network read-only

Verify network correctness and connectivity.

get_node_doc read-only

Get documentation card for a node.

cook_profile read-only

Profile node cooking performance.

cook_frame_range read-only

Cook a frame range with per-frame evidence.

get_cook_status read-only

Get cooking status of a node.

search_help read-only

Full-text search over Houdini's official manual.

get_help_page read-only

Retrieve a specific manual page.

Show 92 more tools

open_scene writes

Open a Houdini scene file.

save_scene writes

Save the current scene.

import_scene writes

Import external files into the scene.

export_scene writes

Export files from the scene.

get_scene_info read-only

Get basic scene information.

create_node writes

Create a node.

delete_node destructive

Delete a node.

copy_node writes

Copy a node.

connect_nodes writes

Connect two nodes.

layout_nodes writes

Automatically layout nodes.

set_node_flags writes

Set node flags (e.g., display flag).

get_parameters read-only

Get multiple parameters at once.

set_parameters writes

Set multiple parameters at once.

set_parameter writes

Set a single parameter.

get_parameter read-only

Get a single parameter.

set_expression writes

Set a parameter expression.

set_keyframe writes

Set a keyframe.

create_spare_parameter writes

Create a spare parameter.

get_points read-only

Get point information from geometry.

get_prims read-only

Get primitive information.

get_attributes read-only

Get attribute information.

get_attribute_stats read-only

Get attribute statistics.

inspect_volume read-only

Inspect volume data.

get_groups read-only

Get group information.

sample_points read-only

Sample points.

find_nearest_point read-only

Find the nearest point.

get_stage_info read-only

Get USD stage information.

get_prims_lops read-only

Get USD prims.

get_layer_info read-only

Get layer information.

edit_layer writes

Edit a USD layer.

set_variant writes

Set a variant.

create_light writes

Create a light.

get_sim_info read-only

Get simulation information.

get_dop_objects read-only

Get DOP objects.

step_simulation writes

Step the simulation.

reset_simulation writes

Reset the simulation.

get_memory_usage read-only

Get memory usage.

cook_pdg writes

Cook a PDG graph.

get_work_items read-only

Get work items.

list_schedulers read-only

List schedulers.

get_dependency_graph read-only

Get dependency graph.

create_cop_node writes

Create a COP node.

get_image_info read-only

Get image information.

get_layer_info_cop read-only

Get COP layer information.

get_vdb_info read-only

Get VDB data information.

create_hda writes

Create an HDA.

install_hda writes

Install an HDA.

manage_hda writes

Manage HDAs.

get_hda_sections read-only

Get HDA sections.

get_keyframes read-only

Get keyframes.

set_keyframes writes

Set keyframes.

set_playbar writes

Set playbar position.

get_frame_range read-only

Get frame range.

capture_viewport read-only

Capture viewport image.

render_node writes

Render a node.

set_render_settings writes

Set render settings.

launch_render writes

Launch a render.

create_wrangle writes

Create a VEX wrangle node.

edit_wrangle writes

Edit a VEX wrangle.

validate_vex read-only

Validate VEX code.

run_python writes

Execute Python code in Houdini.

run_hscript writes

Execute HScript in Houdini.

run_expression read-only

Execute an expression in Houdini.

get_env read-only

Get environment variables.

manage_pane writes

Manage panes.

set_viewer_context writes

Set viewer context.

verify_camera read-only

Verify camera state.

verify_renderer read-only

Verify renderer state.

screenshot read-only

Take a scene screenshot.

detect_errors read-only

Detect errors in the scene.

get_network_overview read-only

Get network overview.

get_cook_chain read-only

Get cook chain.

get_selection read-only

Get current selection.

get_scene_summary read-only

Get scene summary.

analyze_errors read-only

Analyze scene errors.

setup_pyro writes

Set up Pyro simulation.

setup_rbd writes

Set up rigid body simulation.

setup_flip writes

Set up FLIP fluid simulation.

setup_vellum writes

Set up Vellum simulation.

setup_sop_chain writes

Set up SOP chain.

setup_render writes

Set up render configuration.

list_materials read-only

List materials.

inspect_material read-only

Inspect a material.

create_material writes

Create a material.

create_shader_network writes

Create a shader network.

get_channel_data read-only

Get channel data.

create_chop_node writes

Create a CHOP node.

export_channels writes

Export channels to parameters.

list_caches read-only

List caches.

inspect_cache read-only

Inspect a cache.

clear_cache destructive

Clear caches.

write_cache writes

Write a cache.

Use cases

Create a procedural rock generator with natural language

Set up a Pyro smoke simulation

Build a USD scene with camera, dome light, and ground plane

Create an HDA from a selected subnet

Debug why a scene has cooking errors

Supported clients

Claude Desktop

Claude Code

Listed from the project's documentation, not tested by this site.

Overview

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for SideFX Houdini. Connects AI assistants like Claude directly to Houdini's Python API, enabling natural language control over scene building, simulation setup, rendering, and more. Offers 188 tools, 8 resources, and 9 prompts serving 31 written workflow guides.

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Source revision 76d96cf0df18 Data synced 2026-10-12 Read the FMRS scoring method