AbletonMCP

AbletonMCP is a Python-first MCP server for Ableton Live 12 built around a custom Remote Script and a Python stdio MCP server.

What It Includes

• AbletonMCP_Remote_Script
  • runs inside Ableton Live and exposes a TCP bridge on localhost:9877
• mcp_server
  • talks to the bridge and exposes MCP tools over stdio
• mcp_server/command_specs.py
  • source of truth for command metadata, stability, and MCP exposure

Why This Exists

• many existing Ableton MCP stacks are strongest in Session View and weaker in arrangement editing, browser loading, and deeper device workflows
• this repo keeps the ambitious surface in Python instead of stopping at stock AbletonOSC coverage
• the historical research that led here is preserved in docs/ableton_live_mcp_discoveries.md

Current Status

Validated locally in Ableton Live 12 on 2026-04-09:

• core connectivity and session introspection
• Session View clip and MIDI note round trips
• Arrangement View MIDI/audio clip creation, edit, delete, and duplication flows
• browser discovery plus built-in instrument, drum-kit, MIDI-effect, and audio-effect loading
• first-class MCP tools for rack, chain, and drum-rack inspection/mutation
• LOM-backed drum-pad remap via DrumChain.in_note for Live 12.3+

Still in the validation backlog:

• take lane workflows
• plugin-window behavior
• third-party or broader browser/effect loading beyond the validated built-in slice
• arrangement undo behavior and audio-move policy

Quick Start

1. Copy AbletonMCP_Remote_Script into Ableton's MIDI Remote Scripts directory and select AbletonMCP_Remote_Script as the control surface.
2. Smoke test the Live bridge:

printf '{"type":"health_check","params":{}}\n' | nc localhost 9877

3. Run the MCP server locally:

cd /Users/joshmclain/code/AbletonMCP_v2
uv run --python 3.11 ableton-mcp

For Docker, MCP client config, validator commands, and troubleshooting, use the canonical setup guide in docs/install-and-use-mcp.md.

Command Surface

First-class MCP tools currently cover:

• health, transport, and session inspection
• basic track inspection and creation
• Session View clip and note workflows
• Arrangement View clip creation and editing
• device inspection and named parameter access
• browser discovery and validated built-in loading
• rack, chain, and drum-rack inspection/mutation

Anything not promoted yet is still reachable through ableton_raw_command(...).

Use these as the current sources of truth:

• docs/command-catalog.md
  • domain-by-domain command inventory
• mcp_server/command_specs.py
  • exact parameter metadata, stability labels, and MCP exposure

Docs

• docs/install-and-use-mcp.md
  • canonical setup, runtime usage, validators, and troubleshooting
• docs/command-catalog.md
  • canonical command reference
• docs/manual-validation-backlog.md
  • next Live validation targets
• docs/README.md
  • docs index and reading order

Archived research and planning:

• docs/ableton_live_mcp_discoveries.md
• docs/api-comparison-and-codegen-prep.md
• docs/feasibility-spike-step-1-2.md
• docs/remote-script-module-split-plan.md