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Unity MCP CLI Usage Guide

The Unity MCP CLI provides command-line access to control the Unity Editor through the Model Context Protocol. It currently only supports local HTTP.

Note: Some tools are still experimental and might fail under some circumstances. Please submit an issue to help us make it better.

Installation​

cd Server
pip install -e .
# Or with uv:
uv pip install -e .

Quick Start​

# Check connection
unity-mcp status

# List Unity instances
unity-mcp instance list

# Get scene hierarchy
unity-mcp scene hierarchy

# Find a GameObject
unity-mcp gameobject find "Player"

Global Options​

OptionEnv VariableDescription
-h, --hostUNITY_MCP_HOSTServer host (default: 127.0.0.1)
-p, --portUNITY_MCP_HTTP_PORTServer port (default: 8080)
-t, --timeoutUNITY_MCP_TIMEOUTTimeout in seconds (default: 30)
-f, --formatUNITY_MCP_FORMATOutput format: text, json, table
-i, --instanceUNITY_MCP_INSTANCETarget Unity instance
-v, --verbose—Print each command sent to Unity and its raw response to stderr

Command Reference​

Instance Management​

# List connected Unity instances
unity-mcp instance list

# Target one instance: per call with --instance, or for a whole shell with UNITY_MCP_INSTANCE
unity-mcp --instance "ProjectName@abc123" editor play

# Show current instance
unity-mcp instance current

Scene Operations​

# Get scene hierarchy
unity-mcp scene hierarchy
unity-mcp scene hierarchy --limit 20 --max-depth 3

# Get active scene info
unity-mcp scene active

# Load/save scenes
unity-mcp scene load "Assets/Scenes/Main.unity"
unity-mcp scene save

# Screenshots (use camera command)
unity-mcp camera screenshot
unity-mcp camera screenshot --file-name "level_preview"
unity-mcp camera screenshot --camera-ref "SecondCamera" --include-image
unity-mcp camera screenshot --batch surround --max-resolution 256
unity-mcp camera screenshot --batch orbit --view-target "Player"
unity-mcp camera screenshot --capture-source scene_view --view-target "Canvas" --include-image
unity-mcp camera screenshot-multiview --view-target "Player" --max-resolution 480

GameObject Operations​

# Find GameObjects
unity-mcp gameobject find "Player"
unity-mcp gameobject find "Enemy" --method by_tag

# Create GameObjects
unity-mcp gameobject create "NewCube" --primitive Cube
unity-mcp gameobject create "Empty" --position 0 5 0

# Modify GameObjects
unity-mcp gameobject modify "Cube" --position 1 2 3 --rotation 0 45 0

# Delete/duplicate
unity-mcp gameobject delete "OldObject" --force
unity-mcp gameobject duplicate "Template"

Component Operations​

# Add component
unity-mcp component add "Player" Rigidbody

# Remove component
unity-mcp component remove "Player" Rigidbody

# Set property
unity-mcp component set "Player" Rigidbody mass 10

Script Operations​

# Create script
unity-mcp script create "PlayerController" --path "Assets/Scripts"

# Read script
unity-mcp script read "Assets/Scripts/Player.cs"

# Delete script
unity-mcp script delete "Assets/Scripts/Old.cs" --force
# Search with regex
unity-mcp code search "class.*Player" "Assets/Scripts/Player.cs"
unity-mcp code search "TODO|FIXME" "Assets/Scripts/Utils.cs"
unity-mcp code search "void Update" "Assets/Scripts/Game.cs" --max-results 20

Shader Operations​

# Create shader
unity-mcp shader create "MyShader" --path "Assets/Shaders"

# Read shader
unity-mcp shader read "Assets/Shaders/Custom.shader"

# Update from file
unity-mcp shader update "Assets/Shaders/Custom.shader" --file local.shader

# Delete shader
unity-mcp shader delete "Assets/Shaders/Old.shader" --force

Editor Controls​

# Play mode
unity-mcp editor play
unity-mcp editor pause
unity-mcp editor stop

# Refresh assets
unity-mcp editor refresh
unity-mcp editor refresh --compile

# Console
unity-mcp editor console
unity-mcp editor console --clear

# Tags and layers
unity-mcp editor add-tag "Enemy"
unity-mcp editor add-layer "Projectiles"

# Menu items
unity-mcp editor menu "Edit/Project Settings..."

# Custom tools
unity-mcp editor custom-tool "MyBuildTool"
unity-mcp editor custom-tool "Deploy" --params '{"target": "Android"}'

# List custom tools for the active Unity project
unity-mcp tool list
unity-mcp custom_tool list

Testing​

# Run tests synchronously
unity-mcp editor tests --mode EditMode

# Run tests asynchronously
unity-mcp editor tests --mode PlayMode --async

# Poll test job
unity-mcp editor poll-test <job_id>
unity-mcp editor poll-test <job_id> --wait 60 --details

Material Operations​

# Create material
unity-mcp material create "Assets/Materials/Red.mat"

# Set color
unity-mcp material set-color "Assets/Materials/Red.mat" 1 0 0

# Assign to object
unity-mcp material assign "Assets/Materials/Red.mat" "Cube"

VFX Operations​

Note: VFX Graph tooling is tested against com.unity.visualeffectgraph 12.1.13. Install VFX Graph and use URP/HDRP (set the Render Pipeline Asset) to avoid Unity warnings; other versions may be unsupported.

# Particle systems
unity-mcp vfx particle info "Fire"
unity-mcp vfx particle play "Fire" --with-children
unity-mcp vfx particle stop "Fire"

# Line renderers
unity-mcp vfx line info "LaserBeam"
unity-mcp vfx line create-line "Line" --start 0 0 0 --end 10 5 0
unity-mcp vfx line create-circle "Circle" --radius 5

# Trail renderers
unity-mcp vfx trail info "PlayerTrail"
unity-mcp vfx trail set-time "Trail" 2.0

# Raw VFX actions (access all 60+ actions)
unity-mcp vfx raw particle_set_main "Fire" --params '{"duration": 5}'

ProBuilder Operations​

Note: Requires com.unity.probuilder package installed in your Unity project.

# Create shapes
unity-mcp probuilder create-shape Cube
unity-mcp probuilder create-shape Torus --name "MyTorus" --params '{"rows": 16, "columns": 16}'
unity-mcp probuilder create-shape Stair --position 0 0 5 --params '{"steps": 10}'

# Create from polygon footprint
unity-mcp probuilder create-poly --points "[[0,0,0],[5,0,0],[5,0,5],[0,0,5]]" --height 3

# Get mesh info
unity-mcp probuilder info "MyCube"

# Raw ProBuilder actions
unity-mcp probuilder raw extrude_faces "MyCube" --params '{"faceIndices": [0], "distance": 1.0}'
unity-mcp probuilder raw bevel_edges "MyCube" --params '{"edgeIndices": [0,1], "amount": 0.2}'
unity-mcp probuilder raw set_face_material "MyCube" --params '{"faceIndices": [0], "materialPath": "Assets/Materials/Red.mat"}'

Batch Operations​

# Execute from JSON file
unity-mcp batch run commands.json
unity-mcp batch run commands.json --parallel --fail-fast

# Execute inline JSON
unity-mcp batch inline '[{"tool": "manage_scene", "params": {"action": "get_active"}}]'

# Generate template
unity-mcp batch template > my_commands.json

Prefab Operations​

# Open prefab for editing
unity-mcp prefab open "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab"

# Save and close
unity-mcp prefab save
unity-mcp prefab close

# Create from GameObject
unity-mcp prefab create "Player" "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab"

# Modify prefab contents (headless, no UI)
unity-mcp prefab modify "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab" --target Weapon --position "0,1,2"
unity-mcp prefab modify "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab" --delete-child Child1 --delete-child "Turret/Barrel"
unity-mcp prefab modify "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab" --set-property "Rigidbody.mass=5"
unity-mcp prefab modify "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab" --add-component BoxCollider
unity-mcp prefab modify "Assets/Prefabs/Player.prefab" --create-child '{"name":"Spawn","primitive_type":"Sphere"}'

Asset Operations​

# Search assets
unity-mcp asset search "*.mat" --path "Assets/Materials"

# Get asset info
unity-mcp asset info "Assets/Materials/Red.mat"

# Create folder
unity-mcp asset mkdir "Assets/NewFolder"

# Move/rename
unity-mcp asset move "Assets/Old.mat" "Assets/Materials/"

Animation Operations​

# Animator on a GameObject
unity-mcp animation animator info "Player"
unity-mcp animation animator play "Player" "Run"
unity-mcp animation animator set-parameter "Player" "Speed" 1.5
unity-mcp animation animator set-parameter "Player" "IsRunning" true --type bool

# Clips and controllers
unity-mcp animation clip create "Assets/Animations/Bounce.anim" --length 2.0 --loop
unity-mcp animation clip info "Assets/Animations/Walk.anim"
unity-mcp animation controller info "Assets/Animations/Player.controller"

Audio Operations​

# Play audio
unity-mcp audio play "AudioPlayer"

# Stop audio
unity-mcp audio stop "AudioPlayer"

# Set volume
unity-mcp audio volume "AudioPlayer" 0.5

Lighting Operations​

# Create light
unity-mcp lighting create "NewLight" --type Point --position 0 5 0
unity-mcp lighting create "Spotlight" --type Spot --intensity 2

UI Operations​

# Create canvas
unity-mcp ui create-canvas "MainCanvas"

# Create text
unity-mcp ui create-text "Title" --parent "MainCanvas" --text "Hello World"

# Create button
unity-mcp ui create-button "StartBtn" --parent "MainCanvas" --text "Start"

# Create image
unity-mcp ui create-image "Background" --parent "MainCanvas"

Camera Operations​

unity-mcp camera ping # Check Cinemachine availability
unity-mcp camera list # List all cameras
unity-mcp camera create --name "Cam" --preset follow --follow "Player"
unity-mcp camera set-target "Cam" --follow "Player" --look-at "Enemy"
unity-mcp camera set-lens "Cam" --fov 60 --near 0.1 --far 1000
unity-mcp camera set-priority "Cam" --priority 15
unity-mcp camera set-body "Cam" --body-type "CinemachineFollow"
unity-mcp camera set-aim "Cam" --aim-type "CinemachineRotationComposer"
unity-mcp camera set-noise "Cam" --amplitude 1.5 --frequency 0.5
unity-mcp camera add-extension "Cam" CinemachineConfiner3D
unity-mcp camera ensure-brain --blend-style "EaseInOut" --blend-duration 1.5
unity-mcp camera brain-status
unity-mcp camera force "Cam" # Force Brain to use camera
unity-mcp camera release # Release override
unity-mcp camera screenshot --file-name "capture" --super-size 2
unity-mcp camera screenshot --batch orbit --view-target "Player" --max-resolution 256
unity-mcp camera screenshot --capture-source scene_view --view-target "Canvas" --include-image
unity-mcp camera screenshot-multiview --view-target "Player" --max-resolution 480

Screenshot Options​

unity-mcp camera screenshot options (from --help):

OptionTypeDescription
--camera-refstringCamera name/path/ID. Omit to capture through the ScreenCapture API
--file-namestringOutput file name (default: timestamp-based)
--super-sizeintResolution multiplier for the saved file
--include-image / --no-include-imageflagAlso return the PNG inline as base64
--max-resolutionintLongest edge of the inline image in pixels (default 640; 480 per tile with --batch)
--capture-sourcestringgame_view (default) or scene_view (editor viewport)
--batchstringsurround (6 angles) or orbit (grid around the target)
--view-targetstringGameObject name/path/ID, or a [x,y,z] position. Aims the camera (game_view) or frames the Scene View (scene_view)
--output-folderstringSave folder, project-relative or absolute inside the project (default: Editor preference, then Assets/Screenshots)

camera screenshot-multiview takes --max-resolution, --view-target and --output-folder. The MCP tool's view_position, view_rotation and orbit_* settings need unity-mcp raw manage_camera '{"action": "screenshot", ...}'.

Graphics Operations​

# Volumes
unity-mcp graphics volume-create --name "PostFX" --global
unity-mcp graphics volume-add-effect --target "PostFX" --effect "Bloom"
unity-mcp graphics volume-set-effect --target "PostFX" --effect "Bloom" -p intensity 1.5
unity-mcp graphics volume-info --target "PostFX"
unity-mcp graphics volume-list-effects

# Render Pipeline
unity-mcp graphics pipeline-info
unity-mcp graphics pipeline-set-quality --level "High"
unity-mcp graphics pipeline-set-settings -s renderScale 1.5

# Light Baking
unity-mcp graphics bake-start [--sync]
unity-mcp graphics bake-status
unity-mcp graphics bake-cancel
unity-mcp graphics bake-settings
unity-mcp graphics bake-create-probes --spacing 5
unity-mcp graphics bake-create-reflection --resolution 512

# Stats & Debug
unity-mcp graphics stats
unity-mcp graphics stats-memory
unity-mcp graphics stats-debug-mode --mode "Wireframe"

# URP Renderer Features
unity-mcp graphics feature-list
unity-mcp graphics feature-add --type "ScreenSpaceAmbientOcclusion"
unity-mcp graphics feature-configure --name "SSAO" -p Intensity 1.5
unity-mcp graphics feature-toggle --name "SSAO" --active|--inactive

# Skybox & Environment
unity-mcp graphics skybox-info
unity-mcp graphics skybox-set-material --material "Assets/Materials/Sky.mat"
unity-mcp graphics skybox-set-ambient --mode Flat --color "0.2,0.2,0.3"
unity-mcp graphics skybox-set-fog --enable --mode ExponentialSquared --density 0.02
unity-mcp graphics skybox-set-reflection --intensity 1.0 --bounces 2
unity-mcp graphics skybox-set-sun --target "DirectionalLight"

Package Operations​

unity-mcp packages ping # Check package manager
unity-mcp packages list # List installed packages
unity-mcp packages search "cinemachine" # Search registry
unity-mcp packages info "com.unity.cinemachine" # Package details
unity-mcp packages add "com.unity.cinemachine" # Install package
unity-mcp packages add "com.unity.cinemachine@4.1.1" # Specific version
unity-mcp packages remove "com.unity.cinemachine" [--force]
unity-mcp packages embed "com.unity.cinemachine" # Embed for local editing
unity-mcp packages resolve # Force re-resolution
unity-mcp packages status <job_id> # Check async op
unity-mcp packages list-registries
unity-mcp packages add-registry "Name" --url URL -s "com.example"
unity-mcp packages remove-registry "Name"

Texture Operations​

unity-mcp texture create "Assets/Textures/Red.png" --color "1,0,0,1"
unity-mcp texture create "Assets/Textures/Check.png" --pattern checkerboard --width 256 --height 256
unity-mcp texture create "Assets/Textures/Img.png" --image-path "/path/to/source.png"
unity-mcp texture sprite "Assets/Sprites/Player.png" --width 32 --height 32 --ppu 16
unity-mcp texture modify "Assets/Textures/Img.png" --set-pixels '{"x":0,"y":0,"width":16,"height":16,"color":[1,0,0,1]}'
unity-mcp texture delete "Assets/Textures/Old.png" [--force]
# Patterns: checkerboard, stripes, stripes_h, stripes_v, stripes_diag, dots, grid, brick

Sprite Animation​

unity-mcp sprite info "Assets/Sprites/Hero.png" # Size, import settings, slices
unity-mcp sprite slice "Assets/Sprites/Hero.png" --cols 6 --rows 4 # Or --frame-width/--frame-height
unity-mcp sprite slice "Assets/Sprites/Painted.png" --cols 8 --filter-mode bilinear # Default point, for pixel art
unity-mcp sprite setup-clips "Assets/Sprites/Hero.png" --clips '[{"name": "walk", "start_frame": 0, "end_frame": 5}]'
unity-mcp sprite setup-controller "Assets/Animators/Hero.controller" --clips '[{"name": "walk", "path": "Assets/Sprites/walk.anim"}]'
unity-mcp sprite full-setup "Assets/Sprites/Coin.png" --cols 8 --clips '[{"name": "spin", "start_frame": 0, "end_frame": 7, "loop": true}]'

Build Operations​

unity-mcp build platform # Read the active platform
unity-mcp build platform android # Switch platform
unity-mcp build scenes # Read the build scene list
unity-mcp build run --target windows64 --development
unity-mcp build batch --targets windows64,linux64,webgl
unity-mcp build status # Last build report
unity-mcp build settings product_name --value "My Game"

Physics Operations​

unity-mcp physics ping # Physics system status
unity-mcp physics get-settings
unity-mcp physics raycast --origin "0,5,0" --direction "0,-1,0" --max-distance 10
unity-mcp physics overlap --shape sphere --position "0,0,0" --size 2
unity-mcp physics get-rigidbody "Player"
unity-mcp physics simulate --steps 10 # Step physics in edit mode
unity-mcp physics validate # Check the scene for common mistakes

Profiler Operations​

unity-mcp profiler start # Optionally --log-file to record a .raw
unity-mcp profiler status
unity-mcp profiler frame-timing
unity-mcp profiler get-counters --category Render
unity-mcp profiler memory-snapshot # Requires com.unity.memoryprofiler
unity-mcp profiler stop

Reflection and Docs​

unity-mcp reflect search NavMesh # Find Unity types by name
unity-mcp reflect type NavMeshAgent # Member summary
unity-mcp reflect member Physics Raycast # One member in detail
unity-mcp docs get Physics Raycast # Unity documentation page

Asset Generation and Blender​

unity-mcp asset-gen list-models --kind image
unity-mcp asset-gen generate-image --provider fal --prompt "a stone texture"
unity-mcp asset-gen generate-model --provider tripo --mode text --prompt "a red chair"
unity-mcp asset-gen status --job-id abc123
unity-mcp asset-gen import-model-file --source-path "C:/exports/house.fbx" --output-folder Assets/Models
unity-mcp blender status # Is Blender reachable?
unity-mcp blender import-model --selection-only --target-size 2

Raw Commands​

For any MCP tool not covered by dedicated commands:

unity-mcp raw manage_scene '{"action": "get_hierarchy", "max_nodes": 100}'
unity-mcp raw read_console '{"count": 20}'
unity-mcp raw manage_camera '{"action": "screenshot", "include_image": true}'
unity-mcp raw manage_graphics '{"action": "volume_get_info", "target": "PostProcessing"}'
unity-mcp raw manage_packages '{"action": "list_packages"}'

Complete Command Reference​

GroupSubcommands
(top level)instances, raw, status
animationraw
animation animatorcrossfade, get-parameter, info, play, set-enabled, set-parameter, set-speed
animation clipadd-curve, add-event, assign, create, create-preset, info, remove-event, set-curve, set-vector-curve
animation controlleradd-blend-tree-child, add-layer, add-parameter, add-state, add-transition, assign, create, create-blend-tree-1d, create-blend-tree-2d, info, remove-layer, set-layer-weight
assetcreate, delete, duplicate, import, info, mkdir, move, rename, search
asset-gengenerate-audio, generate-image, generate-model, import-model, import-model-file, list-models, status
audioplay, stop, volume
batchinline, run, template
blendercheck-updates, compare-screenshot, import-model, object-info, run-python, scene-info, screenshot, setup-bloom, status, sync-addon
buildbatch, cancel, platform, profiles, run, scenes, settings, status
cameraadd-extension, brain-status, create, ensure-brain, force, list, ping, release, remove-extension, screenshot, screenshot-multiview, set-aim, set-blend, set-body, set-lens, set-noise, set-priority, set-target
codeclear-history, execute, history, read, replay, search
componentadd, modify, remove, set
custom_toollist
docsget
editoradd-layer, add-tag, console, custom-tool, deploy, menu, pause, play, poll-test, redo, refresh, remove-layer, remove-tag, restore, stop, tests, tool, undo
gameobjectcreate, delete, duplicate, find, modify, move
graphicsbake-cancel, bake-clear, bake-create-probes, bake-create-reflection, bake-reflection-probe, bake-set-settings, bake-settings, bake-start, bake-status, feature-add, feature-configure, feature-list, feature-remove, feature-reorder, feature-toggle, ping, pipeline-info, pipeline-set-quality, pipeline-set-settings, pipeline-settings, skybox-info, skybox-set-ambient, skybox-set-fog, skybox-set-material, skybox-set-properties, skybox-set-reflection, skybox-set-sun, stats, stats-debug-mode, stats-memory, volume-add-effect, volume-create, volume-create-profile, volume-info, volume-list-effects, volume-remove-effect, volume-set-effect, volume-set-properties
instancecurrent, list
lightingcreate
materialassign, create, info, set-color, set-property, set-renderer-color
packagesadd, add-registry, embed, info, list, list-registries, ping, remove, remove-registry, resolve, search, status
physicsadd-joint, apply-force, assign-material, configure-joint, configure-material, configure-rigidbody, create-material, get-collision-matrix, get-rigidbody, get-settings, linecast, overlap, ping, raycast, raycast-all, remove-joint, set-collision-matrix, set-settings, shapecast, simulate, validate
prefabclose, create, hierarchy, info, modify, open, save
probuilderauto-smooth, bevel-edges, center-pivot, create-poly, create-shape, delete-faces, extrude-edges, extrude-faces, freeze-transform, info, move-vertices, raw, repair, select-faces, set-material, set-pivot, set-smoothing, subdivide, validate, weld-vertices
profilerframe-debugger-disable, frame-debugger-enable, frame-debugger-events, frame-timing, get-counters, memory-compare, memory-list, memory-snapshot, object-memory, set-areas, start, status, stop
reflectmember, search, type
sceneactive, build-settings, close, create, hierarchy, load, loaded, move-to, open-additive, save, set-active, validate
scriptcreate, delete, edit, read, validate
shadercreate, delete, read, update
spritefull-setup, info, setup-clips, setup-controller, slice
texturecreate, delete, modify, set-import-settings, sprite
toollist
uicreate-button, create-canvas, create-image, create-text
vfxraw
vfx lineclear, create-circle, create-line, info, set-positions
vfx particleclear, info, pause, play, restart, stop
vfx trailclear, info, set-time

Output Formats​

# Text (default) - human readable
unity-mcp scene hierarchy

# JSON - for scripting
unity-mcp --format json scene hierarchy

# Table - structured display
unity-mcp --format table instance list

Environment Variables​

Set defaults via environment:

export UNITY_MCP_HOST=192.168.1.100
export UNITY_MCP_HTTP_PORT=8080
export UNITY_MCP_FORMAT=json
export UNITY_MCP_INSTANCE=MyProject@abc123

Troubleshooting​

Connection Issues​

# Check server status
unity-mcp status

# Verify Unity is running with MCP plugin
# Check Unity console for MCP connection messages

Common Errors​

ErrorSolution
Cannot connect to serverEnsure Unity MCP server is running
Unknown command typeUnity plugin may not support this tool
TimeoutIncrease timeout with -t 60