Open HCS MCP Server

Turn high-content microscopy images into reproducible measurements\ One reviewable workflow across the GUI, Python, CellProfiler, and local agents

People connecting media tools to Claude, Cursor, VS Code, or another MCP client. The project is written in Python.

VERIFIED ACTIVE

LAST COMMIT 2026-08-25 · ★ 4 · #20 OF 155 MAINTAINED MEDIA · VERIFIED 2026-08-25

MIT · Python servers · how we verify → /methodology

01 · Install Open HCS

before you install - you'll need

OPENHCS_CPU_ONLY

Environment variables documented in the project's README - it lists which are required and which have defaults.

Claude Code

claude mcp add openhcsdev-openhcs -- uvx openhcs

Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code - add to config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openhcsdev-openhcs": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "openhcs"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Same JSON for Cursor. For VS Code, rename the top-level key from `mcpServers` to `servers`.

Using another client? Same JSON, different key

Claude Desktop · mcpServers

Cursor · mcpServers

VS Code · servers

Windsurf · mcpServers

Zed · context_servers

Cline · mcpServers

Roo Code · mcpServers

Continue · mcpServers

LibreChat · mcpServers

Gemini CLI · mcpServers

Codex CLI · mcp_servers

Full setup guides: every client.

02 · Evidence

Security posture

What to check before giving this server access to your agent - from the registry, GitHub, and our own probes. We don't score safety; we show what's verifiable.

runs as local process (stdio) - runs on your machine with your user's permissions

license MIT - declared in the repository

pypi package openhcs - check the name against the project README before installing (PyPI has no namespace ownership)

registry namespace io.github.OpenHCSDev is GitHub-verified and matches the repo owner

03 · What Open HCS can do

Prose above is summarized from the project's README and registry record - no invented capabilities.

Latest releases

v0.7.26 · 2026-08-24

v0.7.25 · 2026-08-24

v0.7.24 · 2026-08-24

04 · Who maintains Open HCS

OpenHCS is maintained by openhcsdev. It's the only MCP server we track from this author; the repo dates to Aug 2025.

05 · Facts

repository: github.com/openhcsdev/openhcs
website: https://openhcs.readthedocs.io/
category: media - ranked #20 of 155 actively-maintained media servers as of 2026-08-25.
release cadence: 10+ releases in the last 90 days (latest 2026-08-24)
registry: io.github.OpenHCSDev/openhcs (active, first published 2026-07-23 · 42 versions)
packages: pypi:openhcs

06 · Open HCS FAQ

What is Open HCS?

Turn high-content microscopy images into reproducible measurements\ One reviewable workflow across the GUI, Python, CellProfiler, and local agents

Is Open HCS still maintained?

Yes - as of 2026-08-25, its last commit was 2026-08-25 and it shipped 10+ releases in the last 90 days. We re-verify nightly.

How do I install Open HCS?

Run `uvx openhcs`. The README documents one environment variable (OPENHCS_CPU_ONLY) to set first. You can also paste the ready-made client config above.

Does Open HCS run locally?

Yes - it's a stdio server: it runs on your machine (via uvx) with your user's permissions. Your data stays local unless the server itself calls external APIs.

07 · Alternatives to Open HCS

Alternatives to Open HCS

Maintained media servers if Open HCS isn't the fit.

More media MCP servers · OpenImageDebugger MCP · Opus Clip (opus-pro) · Watch Skill · DJ Claude · tdmcp - TouchDesigner MCP server

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