RenderBuddy MCP v2.0

"Your render, one message away."

RenderBuddy MCP is a Blender-native Model Context Protocol (MCP) tool. Artists install the RenderBuddy Blender Add-on, enable it in Blender, and can immediately talk to their active renders in natural language using any MCP client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Antigravity, VS Code) without manual path configuration.

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What's New in v2.0 (Blender Add-on Architecture)

• Zero-Setup Workflow: No need to configure .blend file paths or Blender executable paths in TOML! Blender (via the add-on) is the live source of truth.
• Blender N-Panel & Properties UI: View connection status, port settings, and generate security PIN hashes directly inside Blender's interface.
• Local HTTP REST API (Port 7342): Pure Python http.server running on a background daemon thread inside Blender exposes live render state instantly over loopback.
• Safe Main-Thread Execution: Render cancellations are queued and safely executed on Blender's main thread via bpy.app.timers.
• Cross-Platform: Full support for Windows, macOS, and Linux out of the box.

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How It Works

 ┌───────────────────────────┐                ┌───────────────────────────┐
 │       Blender 3.6+        │                │     MCP Server Proxy      │
 │  ┌─────────────────────┐  │   GET /status  │  ┌─────────────────────┐  │
 │  │ RenderBuddy Add-on  │◄─┼────────────────┼──│     AddonClient     │  │
 │  │ (bpy.app.handlers)  │  │  POST /cancel  │  │  (services/addon)   │  │
 │  └──────────┬──────────┘  │                │  └──────────┬──────────┘  │
 │             │             │                │             │             │
 │             ▼             │                │             ▼             │
 │    [HTTP Server:7342]     │                │     [MCP Tool Handlers]   │
 └─────────────┬─────────────┘                └─────────────┬─────────────┘
               │                                            │
               └─────────────────── Loopback ───────────────┘
                                  (127.0.0.1)

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Quick Start Guide

1. Install & Enable the Blender Add-on

1. Run the build script to generate dist/renderbuddy_addon.zip:

   python build_addon.py
   

2. In Blender: Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install...
3. Select dist/renderbuddy_addon.zip and check the box to Enable RenderBuddy.

2. Install the MCP Server

pip install -e .[dev]

3. Add to your MCP Client Configuration

In your client configuration file (mcp_config.json or claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "renderbuddy": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": [
        "C:/path/to/RenderBuddy/main.py"
      ]
    }
  }
}

4. Start Rendering & Ask Anything!

Open any project in Blender, press Render, and ask your AI assistant:

• "How is my render going?"
• "Show me the latest rendered frame."
• "How much time is left?"
• "What resolution am I rendering?"
• "Cancel the render (PIN: 1234)"

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MCP Tools Reference

SAFE Tools (No Authentication Required)

Tool	Description	Example Query
ping()	Health check verifying MCP server and Blender add-on connection	"Ping RenderBuddy"
server_info()	Returns server version and architecture details	"What version is running?"
render_status()	Returns progress %, frame counts, state, engine, and ETA	"How's the render going?"
render_settings()	Returns resolution, frame range, camera name, and format	"What resolution am I rendering?"
preview_frame()	Returns path and details of the latest rendered frame image	"Show me the latest frame"
upload_render()	Exports latest frame or .blend file to local folder	"Upload the finished render"
email_render()	Dispatches email with attached render output	"Email me the render"

PROTECTED Tools (PIN Authentication Required)

Tool	Requirements	Example Query
cancel_render(pin)	Valid PIN	"Cancel the render, PIN 1234"
shutdown_pc(pin, confirm)	Valid PIN + confirm="SHUTDOWN"	"Shut down my PC after rendering"

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Running Automated Tests

Run the full 107+ unit test suite (runs standalone without requiring Blender):

python -m pytest -v

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License

MIT License. Designed for 3D Artists, Studios, and Pipeline TD Automation.