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First session

This path gets you to a first successful, read-only tool call. Once list_open_fonts works, the rest of the docs build on the same connection.

You will accomplish​

  • Install Glyphs MCP.
  • Start the local MCP server in Glyphs.
  • Connect an MCP client.
  • Run list_open_fonts and choose a font_index.

Before you start​

  • Install Glyphs MCP with Installation.
  • Open Glyphs 3.
  • Open at least one font if you want list_open_fonts to return font metadata.

Step 1: Start the server​

In Glyphs:

Edit -> Start Glyphs MCP Server

Then open:

Edit -> Glyphs MCP Server Status...

Confirm that the server is running and that the endpoint is:

http://127.0.0.1:9680/mcp/

Step 2: Connect a client​

For Codex:

codex mcp add glyphs-mcp-server --url http://127.0.0.1:9680/mcp/
codex mcp list

For Claude CLI or Claude Code:

claude mcp add --scope user --transport http glyphs-mcp http://127.0.0.1:9680/mcp/
claude mcp list

For Claude App and other client-specific notes, see Connect a client.

Step 3: Run the first tool call​

Paste this into your client:

Connect to my Glyphs MCP server and run a quick health check.

1. Call list_open_fonts.
2. Tell me how many fonts are open.
3. For each font, report familyName and filePath when available.
4. Tell me which font_index I should use next.

If you get an error, quote it verbatim and tell me the next step.

Expected result​

The agent should report the open fonts and a font_index value, usually 0 for the first open font. If no fonts are open, Glyphs MCP can still be connected successfully, but font-specific workflows need an open font.

If it fails​

Start with Troubleshooting, especially:

  • no Glyphs menu items
  • client cannot connect
  • port 9680 in use
  • browser endpoint works but the MCP client does not