Panda3D MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables Claude to search and retrieve Panda3D documentation seamlessly during conversations.

Server Name

mcp-panda3d

What is Panda3D?

Panda3D is a powerful, open-source 3D game engine and rendering library. Originally developed by Disney and maintained by Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center, it provides:

• A complete framework for 3D rendering, physics, animation, and game development
• Python and C++ APIs for development flexibility
• Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Advanced features like shader support, scene graph architecture, and collision detection

Panda3D is used in both commercial games and academic research projects, making it a valuable tool for game developers, researchers, and students.

What This Server Does

This MCP server serves as a bridge between Claude and the official Panda3D documentation. It:

1. Receives documentation queries from Claude through the Model Context Protocol
2. Uses Puppeteer to search the official Panda3D documentation website
3. Parses and extracts relevant information from search results
4. Returns formatted documentation content back to Claude

Under the hood, the server:

• Launches a headless browser using Puppeteer
• Performs searches on the Panda3D documentation site (https://docs.panda3d.org)
• Extracts search results and detailed content
• Formats the information for optimal readability in Claude
• Provides both a summary of search results and in-depth documentation

Why did I create this?

The Panda3D documentation is one of the largest monsters I've ever had the misfortune of coming across so I use Claude frequently to scrape it.

also probably why the higher level Ursina project (built on panda3d) exists in the first place.

Features

• Direct Search API access: Finds relevant Panda3D classes, functions, and concepts
• Rich Results: Returns both search result listings and detailed content
• Smart Prioritization: Identifies the most relevant result for specific queries
• Debug Information: Includes detailed logs for troubleshooting
• MCP Integration: Works seamlessly within Claude conversations

MCP Tools

flowchart TD
    Claude["Claude AI"] <--> MCP["Model Context Protocol"]
    MCP <--> Server["panda3d-docs-server"]
    Server --> A["get_docs"]

    style Claude fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    style MCP fill:#bbf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    style Server fill:#ddf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    style A fill:#dfd,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px

Tool Name	Description	Parameters
get_docs	Searches Panda3D documentation and returns formatted results	query: Search term<br>check_keywords: Search in module names (default: true)<br>search_contents: Search docstrings (default: false)

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16 or higher)
• npm (v7 or higher)

Installation

Clone and Build

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/th3w1zard1/mcp-panda3d.git
   cd mcp-panda3d
   

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install
   

3. Build the server:

   npm run build
   

4. Run the server:

   npm start
   

Configuration with Claude

For Claude Desktop

Add the server configuration to your Claude Desktop config file:

Windows: Edit %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

macOS: Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-panda3d": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "git+https://github.com/th3w1zard1/mcp-panda3d.git"]
    }
  }
}

Option 2: Using Local Installation

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-panda3d": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["C:/Users/Benjamin/Documents/Cline/MCP/mcp-panda3d/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Using with SmitheryAI

If you're using SmitheryAI to manage your MCP servers:

npx @smithery/cli install mcp-panda3d --client claude

Usage

Once configured, you can ask Claude to search the Panda3D documentation:

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="ShowBase class"

Additional parameters:

• check_keywords: Search in module names and titles (default: true)
• search_contents: Search in docstrings and code (default: false)

Example with all parameters:

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="collision detection" check_keywords=true search_contents=true

Claude will return a formatted response including:

1. A list of search results with links
2. Detailed documentation for the most relevant result
3. Debug information for troubleshooting

Usage Examples

This document provides examples of how to use the Panda3D Documentation Server with Claude.

Basic Usage

To ask Claude to search for Panda3D documentation, use the following format:

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="your search term"

Example Queries

Looking up a Class

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="NodePath"

This will return documentation about the NodePath class, which is one of the fundamental classes in Panda3D used to represent a node in the scene graph.

Searching for a Method

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="setPos"

This will return documentation about the setPos method, which is used to position objects in 3D space.

Finding Information about a Concept

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="collision detection"

This will return information about Panda3D's collision detection system.

Searching in Docstrings and Code

To search within function docstrings and code (not just titles):

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="particle effects" search_contents=true

This enables a more comprehensive search that looks within the content of the documentation.

Advanced Usage

Controlling Search Behavior

You can control the search behavior with additional parameters:

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="shader" check_keywords=true search_contents=true

• check_keywords: Search in module names and titles (default: true)
• search_contents: Search in docstrings and code (default: false)

Example Conversation Flow

Here's an example of how you might use the Panda3D Documentation Server in a conversation with Claude:

You: I want to create a simple 3D scene in Panda3D. Where should I start? Claude: To create a simple 3D scene in Panda3D, you'd want to start with the ShowBase class, which initializes the 3D rendering pipeline. Let me get the documentation for you. Claude: @mcp-panda3d get_docs query="ShowBase"

Claude searches and displays the ShowBase documentation

You: How do I add a 3D model to my scene? Claude: You'd use the loader.loadModel method along with a NodePath. Let me get that documentation. Claude: @mcp-panda3d get_docs query="loadModel"

Claude searches and display the loadModel documentation

You: How do I make my model move around? Claude: @mcp-panda3d get_docs query="setPos setHpr interval"

Claude searches and display documentation about positioning, rotation, and animation intervals

Tips for Effective Searches

1. Be specific: Use class names, method names, or specific concepts when possible
2. Use technical terms: Panda3D-specific terminology will yield better results
3. Combine related terms: You can combine multiple related terms in a single query
4. Enable content search: Use search_contents=true for more comprehensive results
5. Follow up: If the initial results don't contain what you need, try reformulating your query

Exploring Common Panda3D Topics

Core Concepts

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="scene graph"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="coordinate system"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="transforms"

3D Models and Animation

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="model loading"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="animation"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="actor"

Physics and Collision

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="collision detection"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="physics engine"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="bullet physics"

User Input

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="event handling"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="mouse input"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="keyboard input"

Rendering and Effects

@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="shaders"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="lighting"
@mcp-panda3d get_docs query="particle effects"

Development

Build

npm run build

Watch Mode (for development)

npm run watch

Debug with MCP Inspector

The MCP Inspector provides a web interface for debugging:

npm run inspector

Access the inspector in your browser at the URL provided in the console.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• Search returns no results: Check your query format and try more general terms
• Browser initialization errors: Make sure your system has a compatible browser for Puppeteer

License

MIT. Do what you want with it, just don't claim it as your own work.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.