Content
# sketchfab-mcp-server
[](https://nodejs.org)
[](https://www.typescriptlang.org)
[](https://modelcontextprotocol.io)
[](https://sketchfab.com)
A [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) server for [Sketchfab](https://sketchfab.com). Search, browse, inspect, and download 3D models from Cursor, Claude Desktop, and other MCP clients.
> **API key required:** All tools need a valid **Sketchfab API token**. Create one at [sketchfab.com/settings/password](https://sketchfab.com/settings/password) (API token section). Pass it via `--api-key`, the `SKETCHFAB_API_KEY` environment variable, or in your MCP client config.
## Quick Start
### Prerequisites
- **Node.js 18+** — Runtime for the MCP server
- **Yarn** — Package manager (or use `npm` / `pnpm` equivalently)
- **Sketchfab API token** — Required for search, model details, categories, licenses, and downloads
- **Git** — For cloning the repository
### Build from Source
**Clone the repository:**
```bash
git clone https://github.com/AliRezaBeigy/sketchfab-mcp-server.git
cd sketchfab-mcp-server
```
**Install dependencies and build:**
```bash
yarn install
yarn build
```
**Run locally (stdio transport):**
```bash
# Option A: environment variable
export SKETCHFAB_API_KEY="your-api-token-here"
yarn start
# Option B: CLI flag
node build/index.js --api-key "your-api-token-here"
```
**Development (no build step):**
```bash
export SKETCHFAB_API_KEY="your-api-token-here"
yarn dev
```
### Configure an MCP Client
Add the server to your MCP client settings. Use the absolute path to `build/index.js` on your machine.
**Cursor** — edit `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (or project-level `.cursor/mcp.json`):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"sketchfab": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/sketchfab-mcp-server/build/index.js"
],
"env": {
"SKETCHFAB_API_KEY": "your-api-token-here"
}
}
}
}
```
**Claude Desktop** — edit `claude_desktop_config.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"sketchfab": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/sketchfab-mcp-server/build/index.js"
],
"env": {
"SKETCHFAB_API_KEY": "your-api-token-here"
}
}
}
}
```
Alternatively, pass the API key as a CLI argument instead of `env`:
```json
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/sketchfab-mcp-server/build/index.js",
"--api-key",
"your-api-token-here"
]
```
Restart the MCP client after saving. The server communicates over **stdio**; diagnostics are written to stderr only.
### Windows
On Windows, use backslashes or forward slashes in paths inside `mcp.json`. PowerShell example for a one-off run:
```powershell
$env:SKETCHFAB_API_KEY = "your-api-token-here"
node build\index.js
```
## MCP Tools
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `sketchfab-search` | Search models by keywords, tags, categories, license, user, and more |
| `sketchfab-model-details` | Full metadata for a model (stats, license, tags, downloadability) |
| `sketchfab-download` | Download a model as glTF, GLB, USDZ, or source (ZIP auto-extracts) |
| `sketchfab-list-categories` | List category slugs for use in search filters |
| `sketchfab-list-licenses` | List license slugs for use in search filters |
**Search filters** include downloadable-only, animated, rigged, staff-picked, sort order, date range (1/7/31 days), and cursor-based pagination (up to 24 results per page).
**Download formats:** `gltf` (default), `glb`, `usdz`, `source`. If the requested format is unavailable, the server falls back to the first available format. ZIP archives (common for glTF/source) are saved and extracted automatically.
## Features
- **Sketchfab API v3** — Search, browse, and download via the official REST API
- **Rich search** — Tags, categories, licenses, sort, pagination, and creator filters
- **Model downloads** — glTF/GLB/USDZ/source with automatic ZIP extraction
- **MCP-native** — Works with Cursor, Claude Desktop, and any stdio MCP host
- **TypeScript** — Typed tools with Zod parameter validation
## License
See the project license file when available.
## Acknowledgments
- [Sketchfab](https://sketchfab.com) — 3D model platform and API
- [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) — Open standard for AI tool integration
- [@modelcontextprotocol/sdk](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/typescript-sdk) — Official TypeScript MCP SDK
---
**Made with ❤️ for 3D creators and AI-assisted workflows**
