Content
# markitup-mcp-server
[](https://www.npmjs.com/package/markitup-mcp-server)
[](https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io/v0/servers?search=markitup)
[](https://glama.ai/mcp/servers/smythmyke/markitup-mcp-server)
[](https://smithery.ai/servers/smythmyke/markitup-mcp-server)
[](LICENSE)
MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for [MarkItUp](https://markitup.app) — AI-powered image annotation and marketing-visual generation. Lets Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, ChatGPT-with-MCP, and other MCP-compatible clients call MarkItUp directly.
Five tools available: `markitup_credit_balance`, `markitup_generate`, `markitup_regen`, `markitup_extend`, `markitup_remove_background`.
## Prerequisites
1. A MarkItUp account — sign up at https://markitup.app.
2. A MarkItUp API key — generate one at https://markitup.app/dashboard.
3. Node.js 18 or newer (only if installing locally; `npx` doesn't require a local Node.js if your MCP client bundles one).
## Configure in Claude Code
Add to your MCP config (`~/.claude/mcp.json` or project-scoped `.mcp.json`):
```jsonc
{
"mcpServers": {
"markitup": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "markitup-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"MARKITUP_API_KEY": "mk_live_..."
}
}
}
}
```
## Configure in Claude Desktop
Edit `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` (macOS) or `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` (Windows):
```jsonc
{
"mcpServers": {
"markitup": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "markitup-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"MARKITUP_API_KEY": "mk_live_..."
}
}
}
}
```
## Configure in Cursor
Cursor uses the same JSON shape. Settings → MCP → Add Server:
```jsonc
{
"mcpServers": {
"markitup": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "markitup-mcp-server"],
"env": { "MARKITUP_API_KEY": "mk_live_..." }
}
}
}
```
## Tools
### `markitup_credit_balance`
Returns the current credit balance and subscription status.
No arguments. Use it to verify your API key works and to check credits before calling generation tools.
### `markitup_generate`
Generates 3 polished marketing-visual variations from a screenshot. Costs 1 credit.
| Argument | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `description` | string | yes | What the image shows and what to highlight |
| `template_id` | string | yes | One of `glassmorphic`, `clean_minimal`, `bold_marketing`, `dark_professional`, `documentation` (and more) |
| `image_url` | string | one-of | Public HTTPS URL of the source image |
| `image_base64` | string | one-of | Base64-encoded image bytes (no `data:` prefix) |
| `image_mime_type` | string | no | MIME type when supplying `image_base64`. Default: `image/png` |
| `aspect_ratio` | string | no | One of `1:1`, `3:2`, `2:3`, `3:4`, `4:3`, `4:5`, `5:4`, `9:16`, `16:9`, `21:9` |
| `image_size` | string | no | `1K`, `2K`, or `4K` |
Returns: the marketing copy (headline, sub-headline) plus 3 generated image variations as base64 image content blocks. The full structured response is also available under `structuredContent`.
**Example prompt (in Claude Code):**
> Use markitup_generate with the screenshot at https://example.com/dashboard.png — highlight the export button and pitch it for a marketing landing page using the bold_marketing template.
### `markitup_regen`
Regenerate one variation from a previous `markitup_generate` call. Costs 1 credit by default (`charge_credit: false` to skip).
The LLM must pass back the `text_analysis` object from the previous generate's `structuredContent.text` so the regenerated visual stays on-brand with the same headline / sub-headline. `variation_index` selects which slot (0–2).
### `markitup_extend`
AI outpaint — extend an image to a larger canvas / different aspect ratio. Costs 1 credit.
| Argument | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `image_url` / `image_base64` | string | one-of | Source image |
| `aspect_ratio` | string | yes | Target ratio (`16:9`, `9:16`, etc.) |
| `target_width` / `target_height` | number | yes | Output pixel dimensions |
| `image_size` | string | no | `1K`, `2K`, or `4K` |
### `markitup_remove_background`
Remove the background from an image via Photoroom's HD model. Returns a transparent PNG. Costs 1 credit (free for active Pro/Power subscribers).
| Argument | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `image_url` / `image_base64` | string | one-of | Source image |
## Environment variables
| Var | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `MARKITUP_API_KEY` | yes | API key from your MarkItUp dashboard |
| `MARKITUP_API_BASE` | no | Override the API base URL. Default: `https://markitup.app/api/v1`. Useful for testing against staging. |
## Local development
```bash
git clone https://github.com/markitup/mcp-server.git
cd mcp-server
npm install
npm run build
# Point your MCP client config at the local build:
{
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
"env": { "MARKITUP_API_KEY": "mk_test_..." }
}
```
## Security
- Never commit `MARKITUP_API_KEY` to source control.
- If you accidentally expose a key, revoke it immediately at https://markitup.app/dashboard and create a new one.
- Keys are SHA-256 hashed on the server; the raw key is shown only once at creation.
## Errors
The server surfaces clean human-readable errors for the common cases:
- `Invalid or missing MARKITUP_API_KEY` — set or rotate the key.
- `Out of MarkItUp credits` — top up at https://markitup.app/credits.
- `Rate limit exceeded` — wait briefly and retry.
## License
MIT
