How to Use Artlist MCP with Claude, ChatGPT and VS Code (2026)
Last verified: 2026-11-07
Artlist MCP connects your AI assistant to your Artlist account and the AI tools in how Artlist works. You describe an image, clip, voiceover, track or 3D model in chat, and the assistant generates it with your plan's credits.
You need: a paid Artlist plan with AI credits. AI Starter costs $11.99/month on annual billing.
Server URL: https://mcp.artlist.io/mcp
Connect Artlist MCP
Claude Desktop
- Open Settings > Connectors. Some versions call it Extensions.
- Add a custom connector, name it Artlist and paste the server URL.
- Sign in with your Artlist account and approve the connection.
Claude Code
Run this command, then sign in through /mcp:
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user artlist https://mcp.artlist.io/mcp
ChatGPT
- Go to chatgpt.com/plugins and search for Artlist.
- Click Add and sign in.
- Type @Artlist in a chat and describe what you want.
On Team and Enterprise workspaces, an admin may need to enable plugins first.
VS Code
- Open the Command Palette and run MCP: Add Server.
- Choose HTTP, name it Artlist and paste the server URL.
- Confirm you trust the server, then sign in.
What you can ask for
| Task | Try asking |
|---|---|
| See models | "What Artlist image models can I use?" |
| Image | "Generate a product photo of a ceramic mug on a linen table" |
| Video from an image | "Animate this image with a slow push-in" |
| Voiceover | "Turn this script into a voiceover using the Horizon voice" |
| Voice clone | "Create a custom voice from this recording" |
| Music | "Create an upbeat electronic track for a product launch video" |
| 3D model | "Generate a 3D model of a ceramic mug" |
| Price check | "How many credits would that cost?" |
| Catalog search | "Search Artlist for calm piano tracks" |
| Sound effects | "Find me a whoosh sound effect" |
| Style Kit | "Create a style kit for Acme" or "Generate a mountain at golden hour using my Acme kit" |
| Saved references | "What characters, props or locations do I have saved?" |
Artlist sends your prompt through unchanged, so write the detail you would type on the website. Name a model when you care which one runs. If you use a saved reference without naming one, the assistant picks a model that supports it, and that pick can cost more.
A first session, prompt by prompt
- Check what you have. "How many Artlist credits do I have left, and which video models can I use?"
- Plan before spending. "Write a 5-shot list for a 30-second mug ad, with an image prompt and a camera move per shot. Don't generate anything yet."
- Price it. "How many credits would shot 1 cost on Nano Banana Pro, and the clip on Seedance 2.5 at 480p?"
- Make the still. "Generate shot 1 with Nano Banana Pro. Wait for my approval before the next shot."
- Animate the one you like. "Animate the approved image with a slow push-in, Seedance 2.5, 480p draft."
- Render the keeper. "Render that take in 1080p."
- Add sound. "Search Artlist for warm acoustic tracks" and "Find me a soft ceramic clink sound effect."
- Download. Ask for the files once you've chosen, then cut the edit in your editor.
What do requests cost?
Quotes on our Max Pro account through MCP, 2026-11-05:
| Request | Credits |
|---|---|
| Nano Banana Pro image, 2K | 160 |
| Kling v3 Standard, 5 sec, 720p, no audio | 400 |
| Seedance 2.5, 8 sec with audio, 480p draft | 1,600 |
| Seedance 2.5, 8 sec with audio, 720p | 4,000 |
| Seedance 2.5, 8 sec with audio, 1080p | 8,000 |
| Hyper3D Rodin v2.5 Fast, text to 3D | 300 |
| Tripo H3.1, text to 3D, medium | 600 |
| Tripo H3.1, image to 3D, medium | 900 |
| Meshy v7, text to 3D | 3,600 |
| Custom voice from a recording | 500 |
The session above, with five stills on Nano Banana Pro and five 8-second Seedance 2.5 clips at 720p, comes to 20,800 credits before music. That's more than AI Starter's 16,500 and about half of AI Core's 40,000. Five Kling v3 Standard clips at 720p instead bring it to 2,800.
Where should you run what?
| Job | Run it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Many tests on one model | The website | Unlimited models cost nothing there, and credits over MCP |
| A batch of different shots | MCP | One batch takes up to 20 jobs with one quote, and failed jobs aren't charged |
| Browsing stock footage | The website | MCP can't search the image or video catalog |
| Picking music while you write | MCP | It searches music and sound effects from the chat |
| Anything you want to approve shot by shot | MCP | High-cost requests stop for approval, with nothing spent until you agree |
Limits to know before you start
| Limit | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Credits only | Artlist's pricing page says "MCP usage is credit-based", so models on Unlimited in the app still cost credits here. |
| No cancelling | Artlist deducts credits when the request goes out, and you can't stop a running generation. High-cost requests ask for your approval first. |
| 120 requests per minute | The cap applies per account across all tools. |
| No image or video catalog search | Search covers music and SFX only. |
| Downloads | Videos, voiceovers, 3D models and images over 500 KB arrive as links. |
| Catalog files | Search returns previews. Ask for the download when you've picked a track, since each one counts toward your plan's daily limit. |
Check takes before 1080p
Ask for Seedance 2.5 and you get a 480p draft by default. Check the take at 480p, then ask your assistant to "render it in 1080p". A Seedance 2.5 draft we made on 7 November was still renderable until 21 November. Artlist renders the same take at 1920x1080.
On our Max Pro quotes, an 8-second draft costs 1,600 credits and the render costs the full 1080p price of 8,000. A take you keep costs 9,600 this way, against 8,000 direct. Two drafts and one render cost 11,200, against 16,000 for two direct takes, so drafts pay off as soon as you reject one take.
Fix common problems
The sign-in window doesn't appear. Check the URL, then remove and re-add the connector.
Sign-in loops. Use the same account you use on Artlist AI Tools, and refresh your SSO session if you have one.
No models appear. Reconnect, and confirm your plan includes AI Tools.
A generation stays in progress. Check your credits and whether the model supports that task, such as image-to-video. Try again after a few minutes.
The connector is blocked at work. Ask IT to allow mcp.artlist.io.
Next steps
To see how Artlist compares with other providers, read our list of the best MCP for AI image and video generation. Our Artlist discount code page gives 2 free months on annual plans. If you only need licensed music, also check the latest Epidemic Sound discount.
FAQ
Is Artlist MCP free?
The connection costs nothing extra. Generations draw from the same credit pool as the Artlist website, so regular use needs a plan with AI credits.
Does Artlist MCP work with Cursor?
Artlist doesn't list Cursor. It names Claude, ChatGPT and VS Code.
Can Artlist MCP generate music?
Yes. It generates tracks from text prompts and also searches the existing Artlist music and SFX catalogs.
Can Artlist MCP generate 3D models?
Yes. We generated a textured GLB model through it for 300 credits. For what it can't do in 3D, see Artlist MCP vs Tripo.
Does Artlist MCP need an API key?
No. You sign in with your Artlist account.
Which plans include Artlist MCP?
Artlist lists "MCP & plugins" on AI Starter, AI Core and AI Creator, and MCP on Max Business.
What file do 3D models come as?
GLB. Our mug from Hyper3D Rodin v2.5 Fast arrived with one mesh and three textures, and no rig or animation. Artlist's 3D help article says rigging, animation and texture prompts aren't available.
Can I clone my voice through MCP?
Yes. Upload a recording of at least 10 seconds with one clear speaker and ask for a custom voice. It costs 500 credits.