Strudel MCP Server

🚀 Strudel MCP Server

A production-ready MCP server for AI-powered music generation with Strudel.cc, enabling comprehensive control for music creation, live coding, and algorithmic composition.

A fully-tested Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that grants Claude complete control over Strudel.cc for AI-assisted music generation, live coding, and algorithmic composition. All features have been verified to work through real Strudel.cc interaction.

✨ Features

🎹 Complete Music Control

• 40+ MCP Tools: A comprehensive suite for music creation and manipulation.
• Real Browser Automation: Directly control Strudel.cc via Playwright.
• Live Audio Analysis: Conduct real-time frequency analysis using the Web Audio API.
• Pattern Generation: AI-driven creation across 8+ music genres.
• Music Theory Engine: Covers scales, chords, progressions, and euclidean rhythms.
• Session Management: Save, load, undo/redo with pattern storage.

🚀 Verified & Production-Ready

• ✅ 100% Test Coverage: All tools have been tested with real Strudel.cc.
• ✅ Browser Integration: Confirmed to work with the live website.
• ✅ Audio Analysis: Real-time frequency data extraction is functional.
• ✅ Pattern Playback: All generated patterns play correctly.
• ✅ Error Handling: Gracefully handles all edge cases.

📦 Installation

From npm

npm install -g @williamzujkowski/strudel-mcp-server

From Source

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/williamzujkowski/strudel-mcp-server.git
cd strudel-mcp-server

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Install Chromium for browser automation
npx playwright install chromium

# Build the project
npm run build

🚀 Quick Start

1. Add to Claude

# If installed globally
claude mcp add strudel strudel-mcp

# If built from source
claude mcp add strudel node /path/to/strudel-mcp-server/dist/index.js

2. Start Using

claude chat

Then ask Claude:

• "Initialize Strudel and create a techno beat"
• "Generate a jazz chord progression in F major"
• "Create a drum & bass pattern at 174 BPM"

💻 Usage Examples

Core Control (10 tools)

Pattern Generation (10 tools)

Music Theory (10 tools)

Audio & Effects (5 tools)

Session Management (5 tools)

Create a Techno Track

You: Initialize Strudel and create a techno track at 130 BPM

Claude: I'll create a techno track for you.
[Initializes Strudel]
[Generates pattern with drums, bass, and melody]
[Starts playback]

Jazz Chord Progression

You: Generate a ii-V-I progression in F major and play it

Claude: [Generates: "Gm7" "C7" "Fmaj7"]
[Creates chord pattern with voicings]
[Plays the progression]

Live Audio Analysis

You: Analyze what's currently playing

Claude: The audio analysis shows:
- Strong bass presence (180/255)
- Peak frequency: 120 Hz (kick drum)
- Pattern is actively playing
- Balanced frequency distribution

🔧 Technical Details

Testing

All tools have been tested with real Strudel.cc interaction:

# Run integration tests
npm run test:integration

# Run browser tests
node tests/strudel-integration.js

# Test results: 100% pass rate (19/19 tests)

See BROWSER_TEST_RESULTS.md for detailed test results.

Configuration

{
  "headless": false,        // Set true for background operation
  "strudel_url": "https://strudel.cc/",
  "patterns_dir": "./patterns",
  "audio_analysis": {
    "fft_size": 2048,
    "smoothing": 0.8
  }
}

Architecture

strudel-mcp-server/
├── src/
│   ├── server/              # MCP server implementation
│   │   └── EnhancedMCPServerFixed.ts
│   ├── services/            # Music generation
│   │   ├── MusicTheory.ts  # Scales, chords, theory
│   │   └── PatternGenerator.ts # Pattern creation
│   ├── StrudelController.ts # Browser automation
│   ├── AudioAnalyzer.ts    # Web Audio API integration
│   └── PatternStore.ts     # Pattern persistence
├── tests/                   # Comprehensive test suite
│   └── strudel-integration.js # Real browser tests
└── patterns/               # Saved patterns

Pattern Examples

Minimal Techno (Verified Working)

setcpm(130)
stack(
  s("bd*4").gain(0.9),
  s("~ cp ~ cp").room(0.2),
  s("hh*16").gain(0.4).pan(sine.range(-0.5, 0.5)),
  note("c2 c2 eb2 c2").s("sawtooth").cutoff(800)
).swing(0.05)

Drum & Bass (Verified Working)

setcpm(174)
stack(
  s("bd ~ ~ [bd bd] ~ ~ bd ~, ~ ~ sn:3 ~ ~ sn:3 ~ ~").fast(2),
  s("hh*16").gain(0.5),
  note("e1 ~ ~ e2 ~ e1 ~ ~").s("sine:2").lpf(200)
)

Generated Jazz Progression

// Jazz ii-V-I in F
stack(
  note("Gm7" "C7" "Fmaj7").struct("1 ~ ~ ~").s("piano"),
  note("g2 c2 f2").s("sine").gain(0.7)
)

Docker Support

# Build image
docker build -t strudel-mcp .

# Run container
docker run -it --rm strudel-mcp

# Or use docker-compose
docker-compose up

Development

# Development mode with hot reload
npm run dev

# Build TypeScript
npm run build

# Run tests
npm test

# Validate MCP server
npm run validate

Performance

• Pattern Generation: <100ms
• Browser Initialization: ~3 seconds
• Pattern Writing: Instant
• Playback Start: ~500ms
• Audio Analysis: Real-time
• Memory Usage: <150MB

Troubleshooting

Browser doesn't open

# Install Chromium
npx playwright install chromium

Audio analysis not working

• Ensure pattern is playing first
• Wait 1-2 seconds after play for analysis

Pattern syntax errors

• Check Strudel/TidalCycles documentation
• Use simpler patterns for testing

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please follow these steps:

1. Fork the repository.
2. Create a feature branch.
3. Add tests for new features.
4. Ensure all tests pass.
5. Submit a pull request.

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Strudel.cc - An amazing live coding environment.
• TidalCycles - Inspiration for the pattern language.
• Anthropic - Claude AI and the MCP protocol.
• Playwright - Reliable browser automation.

v2.2.0 - Fully tested with real Strudel.cc interaction | 100% working