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Installation

Glyphs MCP ships as a Glyphs 3 plug-in plus a small Python server that exposes MCP tools.

The Installer app is the simplest way to install the plug-in and link Glyphs MCP into:

  • Codex App
  • Codex CLI (terminal tools or in VS Code)
  • Claude App
  • Claude CLI (terminal tools or in VS Code)

Glyphs MCP Installer

Any MCP client compatible with the MCP protocol can use this server. For now, the automatic installer covers only the apps listed above.

Because Glyphs MCP is a localhost MCP server, manual setup in other clients is usually just the endpoint URL:

http://127.0.0.1:9680/mcp/

For client-specific config, see Connect a client.

5-minute install path​

  1. Run the installer:

    python3 install.py

  2. In Glyphs, start the server: Edit → Start Glyphs MCP Server.

  3. In your MCP client, connect to http://127.0.0.1:9680/mcp/.

  4. Run a read-only check:

    Call list_open_fonts and tell me how many fonts are open.
    If you see an error, quote it verbatim.

Requirements​

  • macOS + Glyphs 3
  • Python 3.11–3.13 (the installer will guide you)

Terminal installer​

From the repo root:

python3 install.py

For automation or reproducible dev setup, the Python installer also supports an explicit non-interactive mode. Example:

python3 install.py --non-interactive --python-mode glyphs --plugin-mode link --skip-skills --skip-client-guidance

On macOS, you can also double-click RunInstall.command in Finder. It launches the same installer.

If macOS Gatekeeper blocks it, right-click RunInstall.command → Open once to approve it.

What the installer does
  • Detects an appropriate Python
  • Installs dependencies in the correct location for Glyphs
  • Installs the plug-in into Glyphs’ plug-ins folder (copy or symlink)
  • Links the supported local apps listed above
  • Can optionally install the bundled Glyphs MCP skills into Codex and Claude CLI
  • Verifies imports and prints actionable errors if something fails

Supported Python versions​

The interactive installer supports Python 3.11–3.13 and blocks Python 3.14+ until tested.

If you’re not sure what you have installed:

python3 --version

If python3 is missing or too old, install Python 3.12 from python.org, then rerun the installer.

Where things are installed​

Typical locations on macOS:

  • Plug-in: ~/Library/Application Support/Glyphs 3/Plugins/
  • Dependencies (common case): ~/Library/Application Support/Glyphs 3/Scripts/site-packages

If you choose an external Python in the installer, dependencies may also live in that Python’s user site-packages (installed via pip --user). The plug-in is designed to add both locations to sys.path so imports work reliably.

Uninstall​

  1. Quit Glyphs.
  2. Remove the plug-in from: ~/Library/Application Support/Glyphs 3/Plugins/

Optional (advanced): remove any Glyphs MCP dependencies installed into:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Glyphs 3/Scripts/site-packages
caution

Be careful when deleting packages from Scripts/site-packages — other Glyphs scripts you use might rely on them.

Verify installation​

Open Glyphs and confirm you have:

  • Edit → Start Glyphs MCP Server
  • Edit → Glyphs MCP Server Status…

Then run this endpoint check in Terminal:

curl -i http://127.0.0.1:9680/mcp/

Expected: an HTTP response (status code may vary by client handshake), which confirms the local MCP endpoint is reachable.

Finally, verify tool calls from your AI client with the prompts in Connect a client.

Common install failures (quick fixes)​

  • python3: command not found
    • Install Python 3.12 from python.org and retry.
  • Installer cannot find Glyphs Python
    • In Glyphs, install the Python add-on, restart Glyphs, rerun installer.
  • Client cannot connect but Glyphs menu items exist
    • Start/restart the MCP server from Glyphs, then reload your client.
  • Client tools look outdated
    • Disconnect/reconnect the MCP server in your client so it refreshes tools/list.

For deeper diagnosis, continue to Troubleshooting.

Next: Start the server.