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Outlines, selected nodes, components, and anchors

Use this workflow when an agent needs to inspect selected nodes, review paths, add components or anchors, or make bounded outline edits in the Glyphs file you already have open.

For recurring outline work, start with the glyphs-mcp-outlines-docs skill. It keeps the agent focused on the current font, master, glyph, layer, and selection, and it uses bundled docs lookup only when API details are uncertain.

When to use it​

  • You want to inspect selected nodes or current selected glyphs.
  • You want to add a component or anchor to a known glyph/layer.
  • You want to export path JSON for review or controlled editing.
  • You want to review collinear curve handles before setting nodes to smooth.
  • You need a targeted GlyphsApp API lookup through docs_search and docs_get.

What changes​

Only explicit mutating tools change font state:

  • add_component_to_glyph can add a component.
  • add_anchor_to_glyph can add an anchor.
  • set_glyph_paths can replace paths.
  • apply_collinear_handles_smooth can set smooth flags after review.
  • add_corner_to_all_masters can add corner hints at selected nodes.

Mutating calls should be scoped to named glyphs, masters, layers, paths, or selected nodes, then verified with a read-back call.

What does not change​

  • The font is not auto-saved.
  • Kerning and spacing do not change unless you call separate kerning or spacing tools.
  • Bundled docs lookup does not mutate anything.
  • get_selected_nodes, get_glyph_paths, and review_collinear_handles are read-only.

Safe prompt template​

Use the glyphs-mcp-outlines-docs skill.

Task: Inspect my current selected nodes and propose the safest next step.

Rules:
- Read current font, master, glyph, layer, and selection first.
- Prefer dedicated outline tools before execute_code.
- Use docs_search and docs_get only for the specific Glyphs API detail you need.
- Do not mutate until you show exact targets and I approve.
- After any mutation, re-read the affected glyph/layer and report changed, skipped, and unresolved items.