Summary

renderdoc-mcp provides an AI-native interface for RenderDoc, enabling AI assistants to programmatically analyze GPU frame captures and debug graphics pipelines. It exposes RenderDoc's replay API through a structured MCP server and CLI, allowing automated inspection, debugging, and export of capture data without manual UI interaction, benefiting AI developers and researchers.

How It Works

The project wraps the RenderDoc replay API, transforming its functionality into 59 structured tools accessible via an MCP server and a command-line interface. This architecture allows AI assistants like Claude and Codex to open .rdc captures, navigate frames, inspect pipeline states, debug shaders and pixels, analyze resource usage, and export evidence programmatically, streamlining complex GPU debugging workflows.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Download pre-built packages from GitHub Releases, containing the MCP server (renderdoc-mcp.exe), CLI (renderdoc-cli.exe), and bundled RenderDoc runtime. Client configuration for AI tools like Codex Desktop is automated or can be manually added to ~/.codex/config.toml.
• Build from Source: Requires cmake and the RenderDoc source code. Build command: cmake -B build -DRENDERDOC_DIR=<path-to-renderdoc-source> && cmake --build build --config Release.
• Prerequisites: RenderDoc source code is required for building from source.

Highlighted Details

• AI-native GPU frame debugging capabilities.
• Exposes RenderDoc replay API via 59 structured tools for programmatic access.
• Supports AI assistants (Claude, Codex) for automated capture analysis and debugging.
• Features include frame navigation, pipeline state inspection, shader/pixel debugging, capture comparison, and data export.
• Includes a CLI for shell scripting and CI integration.

Maintenance & Community

No specific details regarding contributors, sponsorships, or community channels (e.g., Discord, Slack) were found in the provided README.

Licensing & Compatibility

• License: MIT license for renderdoc-mcp.
• RenderDoc: The underlying RenderDoc library is distributed under its own license. Compatibility for commercial use should consider both licenses.

Limitations & Caveats

The project requires access to the RenderDoc source code for building from source. No other explicit limitations, alpha status, or known issues were detailed in the provided README.