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name: premiere-pro-mcp description: Install, verify, troubleshoot, and operate the Adobe Premiere Pro MCP server. Use when a user wants an agent to set up Premiere MCP, connect Claude Code/Codex/Claude Desktop, control Premiere, import media, build sequences, edit timelines, apply effects, or diagnose bridge issues.

Adobe Premiere Pro MCP

Use this skill when working with the Adobe Premiere Pro MCP server from hetpatel-11/Adobe_Premiere_Pro_MCP.

Core Rules

• Use the MCP tools for Premiere operations; do not invent ExtendScript unless the MCP tool surface is missing the needed operation.
• Default MCP tools/list is a small always-on set. Call search_tools (BM25 query or regex pattern), then invoke_tool with the exact name. PREMIERE_MCP_TOOLSET=full lists every tool.
• Prefer read-only discovery first: get_project_info, list_sequences, list_project_items, get_active_sequence, and relevant resource reads.
• Use real imported media. If the user asks to edit with assets, verify file paths exist, import them with import_media, then place the imported project item IDs on a sequence.
• Keep the temp directory consistent across the MCP server and CEP panel: /tmp/premiere-mcp-bridge unless the user explicitly configured another path.
• Ask before destructive or externally visible actions: deleting clips/media, overwriting exports, closing projects, saving over important project files, or sending files elsewhere.
• For generated/demo edits, prefer creating a new clearly named sequence instead of modifying the user's active sequence.
• If a tool returns success: false, report the exact error and run diagnostics before retrying blindly.

Install Workflow

If the user asks you to install or set up the MCP:

1. Check the OS. The automated installer is macOS-focused.
2. Clone or open the repo:

git clone https://github.com/hetpatel-11/Adobe_Premiere_Pro_MCP.git
cd Adobe_Premiere_Pro_MCP

3. On macOS, run:

npm run setup:mac

4. For non-macOS or manual client setup, run:

npm install
npm run build

5. Register the MCP server in the user's client with:

command: node /absolute/path/to/Adobe_Premiere_Pro_MCP/dist/index.js
env: PREMIERE_TEMP_DIR=/tmp/premiere-mcp-bridge

For Codex, prefer:

codex mcp add premiere_pro --env PREMIERE_TEMP_DIR=/tmp/premiere-mcp-bridge -- node /absolute/path/to/Adobe_Premiere_Pro_MCP/dist/index.js

Premiere Bridge Startup

After installing:

1. Restart the MCP client if it reads config only at startup.
2. Restart Premiere Pro.
3. Open Window > Extensions > MCP Bridge (CEP).
4. Set Temp Directory to /tmp/premiere-mcp-bridge.
5. Click Save Configuration.
6. Click Start Bridge.
7. Confirm the bridge panel says Premiere is ready before running editing tools.

If Premiere is not running, you can install/build/register the MCP, but tell the user live tool verification requires Premiere and the CEP bridge panel.

Verification

Run local checks:

npm run setup:doctor

If Premiere is running and the bridge is started, verify with safe read-only calls:

• get_project_info
• list_sequences
• list_project_items

For deeper validation in a disposable project, create a test sequence with create_sequence_from_clips or create_sequence plus a real .sqpreset path, then call list_sequences and confirm it exists. Do not call blank sequence creation without a preset because newer Premiere versions can open a native dialog that blocks CEP.

Editing Strategy

• Start by understanding the project: project info, active sequence, existing media, tracks, markers, and selected sequence.
• Build a plan in concrete Premiere operations before changing anything.
• For rough cuts, import media first, then use create_sequence_from_clips so Premiere derives settings without a native dialog. Use create_sequence only with a real .sqpreset; use duplicate_sequence with clearContents=true when an existing sequence defines the intended settings.
• For product or brand spots, prefer assemble_product_spot or build_brand_spot_from_mogrt_and_assets when the user's request fits those workflows.
• For black-and-white looks, use apply_effect with Black & White rather than generic saturation-only changes.
• For timeline cuts, prefer sequence-aware tools and include sequenceId when available.
• Export only after confirming output path, format/preset, and overwrite behavior.

Troubleshooting

If commands time out or report bridge errors:

1. Confirm Premiere is open.
2. Confirm Window > Extensions > MCP Bridge (CEP) is open and bridge is started.
3. Confirm both sides use the same temp directory.
4. Run:

npm run setup:doctor

5. Ask the user to click Run Diagnostics in the CEP panel.
6. Read /tmp/premiere-mcp-bridge/premiere-mcp-diagnostics-latest.json if it exists.
7. Remove stale command/response files only if they are clearly old and the bridge is stopped or idle.

Common fixes:

• ENOENT on temp directory: create /tmp/premiere-mcp-bridge, save config again, restart bridge.
• Tool succeeds in Premiere but reports failure: run list_sequences or the relevant list tool to confirm state before retrying.
• Empty or malformed temp directory config: set the field to the path only, not JSON or an env assignment.