Unsplash MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for fetching photos from [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com) with proper attribution. Designed for LLMs building...

MCP Free Verified stdio 245 lines By cevatkerim Awesome List - punkpeye/awesome-mcp-servers Analytics

Description

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for fetching photos from [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com) with **proper attribution**. Designed for LLMs building content pages that need properly credited images.

What This MCP Enables

→ **Search Photos** - Find photos by keyword with filters (color, orientation)
→ **Random Photos** - Get random photos for variety in content
→ **Download Tracking** - Compliant with Unsplash API guidelines
→ **Full Attribution** - Every photo includes ready-to-use attribution text and HTML
→ **LLM-Optimized** - Pre-formatted attribution strings for easy embedding

Installation

### Prerequisites

- Python 3.11+
- An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

### Quick Start

```bash

Stack & Dependencies

- Python 3.11+ - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

Use Cases

*Search Photos** - Find photos by keyword with filters (color, orientation)

Using - Python 3.11+ and - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

*Random Photos** - Get random photos for variety in content

Using - Python 3.11+ and - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

*Download Tracking** - Compliant with Unsplash API guidelines

Using - Python 3.11+ and - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

*Full Attribution** - Every photo includes ready-to-use attribution text and HTML

Using - Python 3.11+ and - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

*LLM-Optimized** - Pre-formatted attribution strings for easy embedding

Using - Python 3.11+ and - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

Related Skills & MCPs

Frequently Asked Questions

What technologies does Unsplash MCP Server require?

This MCP server requires - Python 3.11+ and - An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers)). Ensure these are available in your environment before configuring it with Claude Code.

How does Unsplash MCP Server communicate with Claude?

Unsplash MCP Server uses the stdio transport protocol to communicate with Claude Code via the Model Context Protocol.

Is Unsplash MCP Server free to use?

Unsplash MCP Server is completely free to use. You can download the configuration or copy it directly from the page.

What capabilities does Unsplash MCP Server provide?

This MCP server enables Claude to: **Search Photos** - Find photos by keyword with filters (color, orientation); **Random Photos** - Get random photos for variety in content; **Download Tracking** - Compliant with Unsplash API guidelines; and 2 more capabilities.

Download Config GitHub

# Unsplash MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for fetching photos from [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com) with **proper attribution**. Designed for LLMs building content pages that need properly credited images.

## Features

- **Search Photos** - Find photos by keyword with filters (color, orientation)
- **Random Photos** - Get random photos for variety in content
- **Download Tracking** - Compliant with Unsplash API guidelines
- **Full Attribution** - Every photo includes ready-to-use attribution text and HTML
- **LLM-Optimized** - Pre-formatted attribution strings for easy embedding

## Why This Server?

Unsplash requires proper attribution when using their photos. This server makes it easy by including:

- `attribution_text`: Plain text like "Photo by John Doe on Unsplash"
- `attribution_html`: Full HTML with proper links for web pages

```html
Photo by John Doe on Unsplash
```

## Installation

### Prerequisites

- Python 3.11+
- An Unsplash API access key ([Get one here](https://unsplash.com/developers))

### Quick Start

```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/cevatkerim/unsplash-mcp.git
cd unsplash-mcp

# Create virtual environment
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

# Install dependencies
pip install fastmcp httpx python-dotenv

# Set your API key
echo "UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY=your_key_here" > .env

# Run the server
fastmcp run server.py
```

## Configuration

### Claude Code

Add to your `~/.claude.json` (user-level) or project `.mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "unsplash": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "/path/to/unsplash-mcp/.venv/bin/fastmcp",
      "args": ["run", "/path/to/unsplash-mcp/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY": "your_access_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Cursor

Add to your Cursor MCP settings:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "unsplash": {
      "command": "/path/to/unsplash-mcp/.venv/bin/fastmcp",
      "args": ["run", "/path/to/unsplash-mcp/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY": "your_access_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Windsurf / Cline

Add to your MCP configuration:

```json
{
  "unsplash": {
    "command": "/path/to/unsplash-mcp/.venv/bin/fastmcp",
    "args": ["run", "/path/to/unsplash-mcp/server.py"],
    "env": {
      "UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY": "your_access_key_here"
    }
  }
}
```

## Tools

### `search_photos`

Search for photos by keyword with optional filters.

**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|-----------|------|---------|-------------|
| `query` | string | required | Search keyword(s) |
| `page` | int | 1 | Page number |
| `per_page` | int | 10 | Results per page (1-30) |
| `order_by` | string | "relevant" | Sort: "relevant" or "latest" |
| `color` | string | null | Color filter (see below) |
| `orientation` | string | null | "landscape", "portrait", "squarish" |
| `content_filter` | string | "low" | Safety: "low" or "high" |

**Color options:** `black_and_white`, `black`, `white`, `yellow`, `orange`, `red`, `purple`, `magenta`, `green`, `teal`, `blue`

**Example:**
```
search_photos("mountain sunset", per_page=5, orientation="landscape")
```

### `get_random_photos`

Get random photos, optionally filtered by keyword.

**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|-----------|------|---------|-------------|
| `query` | string | null | Optional keyword filter |
| `count` | int | 1 | Number of photos (1-30) |
| `orientation` | string | null | "landscape", "portrait", "squarish" |
| `content_filter` | string | "low" | Safety: "low" or "high" |

**Example:**
```
get_random_photos(query="nature", count=3, orientation="landscape")
```

### `track_download`

Track a photo download (required by Unsplash API guidelines).

**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `photo_id` | string | Photo ID from search results |

**Example:**
```
track_download("abc123xyz")
```

## Response Format

Each photo includes:

```python
{
    "id": "abc123",
    "description": "A beautiful mountain landscape",
    "alt_description": "snow-capped mountains under blue sky",
    "urls": {
        "raw": "https://images.unsplash.com/...",
        "full": "https://images.unsplash.com/...",
        "regular": "https://images.unsplash.com/...",  # Recommended for web
        "small": "https://images.unsplash.com/...",
        "thumb": "https://images.unsplash.com/..."
    },
    "width": 4000,
    "height": 3000,
    "color": "#a3c4f3",  # Dominant color for placeholders
    "blur_hash": "LKO2?U%2Tw=w...",  # For progressive loading

# Attribution (REQUIRED when using the image)
    "photographer_name": "John Doe",
    "photographer_username": "johndoe",
    "photographer_url": "https://unsplash.com/@johndoe?utm_source=...",
    "photo_url": "https://unsplash.com/photos/abc123?utm_source=...",

# Ready-to-use attribution
    "attribution_text": "Photo by John Doe on Unsplash",
    "attribution_html": "Photo by John Doe on Unsplash"
}
```

## Usage Example

When an LLM builds a content page:

1. Search for relevant images:
   ```
   photos = search_photos("coffee shop interior", per_page=5)
   ```

2. Select a photo and use it:
   ```html
   
   {photo.attribution_html}
   ```

3. If offering download, track it:
   ```
   download_url = track_download(photo.id)
   ```

## Unsplash API Guidelines

This server helps you comply with [Unsplash API guidelines](https://unsplash.com/api-terms):

1. **Attribution** - Always credit the photographer and Unsplash (use `attribution_html`)
2. **Hotlinking** - Use the provided URLs directly (enables view tracking)
3. **Download tracking** - Call `track_download()` when users download images

## Rate Limits

- **Demo mode**: 50 requests/hour
- **Production**: 5,000 requests/hour (after approval)

## License

MIT License - See [LICENSE](LICENSE) file.

## Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

## Support

If you find this project useful, consider buying me a coffee!

## Acknowledgments

- [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com) for providing an amazing free photo API
- [FastMCP](https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp) for the MCP server framework

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