feat(mcp): add touchdesigner (twozero) to the MCP catalog + point the skill at it

optional-mcps/touchdesigner/manifest.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+# Nous-approved MCP catalog entry.
+# Presence in this directory = approval. Merged via PR review.
+manifest_version: 1
+
+name: touchdesigner
+description: Drive a live TouchDesigner session via the twozero plugin.
+source: https://github.com/404dotzero/twozero-td-mcp
+
+# 404.zero's twozero plugin (free, no license/payment) embeds an MCP server
+# inside the running TouchDesigner process and serves it over local
+# Streamable HTTP. There is nothing to install on the Hermes side — the user
+# drops twozero.tox into TD and enables the MCP toggle; the hub binds to
+# 127.0.0.1:40404. Hermes's MCP client just connects to the URL.
+#
+# Multi-instance TD is handled by the hub automatically: keep ONE url here
+# (the hub port) — do not add per-instance entries. The default port is
+# controlled by the twozero setting "MCP default port"; if you change it,
+# edit the url in mcp_servers.touchdesigner to match.
+transport:
+  type: http
+  url: http://127.0.0.1:40404/mcp
+
+# The plugin-embedded hub accepts connections only from the same machine and
+# has no authentication of its own. Nothing to prompt for.
+auth:
+  type: none
+
+# Tool selection at install time:
+# The server advertises 36 tools. The 25 below are the complete creative
+# surface — building networks, setting parameters, reading/writing DATs and
+# CHOPs, operator screenshots, search, errors, and performance. The 11 left
+# off by default fall in two clusters, both enableable any time with
+# `hermes mcp configure touchdesigner`:
+#   - Desktop input automation (td_input_execute/status/clear,
+#     td_op_screen_rect, td_click_screen_point, td_screen_point_to_global,
+#     td_get_screen_screenshot): synthesizes real mouse/keyboard events and
+#     captures the user's actual screen. Powerful but invasive — opt-in.
+#   - Admin/dev (td_project_quit, td_test_session, td_dev_log,
+#     td_clear_dev_log): can save-and-close the user's project, and
+#     td_test_session exports conversation transcripts / submits bug reports
+#     to the vendor's hub — off by default per the no-outbound-telemetry
+#     posture. The dev logs only function in the plugin's Devmode.
+tools:
+  default_enabled:
+    - td_execute_python
+    - td_create_operator
+    - td_set_operator_pars
+    - td_get_operator_info
+    - td_get_operators_info
+    - td_get_par_info
+    - td_get_network
+    - td_get_focus
+    - td_get_errors
+    - td_get_hints
+    - td_read_dat
+    - td_write_dat
+    - td_read_chop
+    - td_read_textport
+    - td_clear_textport
+    - td_get_screenshot
+    - td_get_screenshots
+    - td_navigate_to
+    - td_find_op
+    - td_search
+    - td_get_perf
+    - td_list_instances
+    - td_get_docs
+    - td_agents_md
+    - td_reinit_extension
+
+post_install: |
+  This entry connects to the twozero plugin's MCP server, which runs INSIDE
+  TouchDesigner (2025.32280+). TouchDesigner is Windows/macOS only — there is
+  no Linux build. On a Linux Hermes host, TD must run on another machine:
+  make twozero's port reachable from Hermes (it binds localhost, so forward
+  it on the TD machine) and edit the url in mcp_servers.touchdesigner to
+  point at that machine's IP.
+
+  One-time setup in TD:
+
+    1. Download https://www.404zero.com/pisang/twozero.tox
+    2. Drag twozero.tox into the TD network editor and click Install.
+    3. Enable MCP: twozero icon > Settings > mcp > "auto start MCP" > Yes.
+       The hub binds to http://127.0.0.1:40404/mcp.
+
+  TouchDesigner must be RUNNING with twozero's MCP enabled before the tools
+  work — start TD first, then your Hermes session. Quick health check:
+    curl -s http://127.0.0.1:40404/mcp   (returns hub JSON with instances)
+
+  SECURITY: td_execute_python runs arbitrary Python inside TouchDesigner with
+  no sandbox — same trust level as the terminal tool. The server is
+  localhost-only and unauthenticated (any local process can reach it).
+
+  The desktop input-automation tools (mouse/keyboard control, full-screen
+  capture) and admin tools (project quit, vendor bug-report/chat export) are
+  off by default. Enable them with: hermes mcp configure touchdesigner
+
+  If you previously configured this server manually under the key
+  `twozero_td` (the old skill setup script), remove that entry from
+  mcp_servers in config.yaml to avoid loading the server twice.
+
+  The bundled `touchdesigner-mcp` skill covers workflows, pitfalls, and
+  proven recipes (audio-reactive GLSL, recording, instancing).

skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/SKILL.md

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 ---
 name: touchdesigner-mcp
 description: "Control a running TouchDesigner instance via twozero MCP — create operators, set parameters, wire connections, execute Python, build real-time visuals. 36 native tools."
-version: 1.1.0
+version: 1.2.0
 author: kshitijk4poor
 license: MIT
-platforms: [linux, macos, windows]
+platforms: [macos, windows]
 metadata:
   hermes:
     tags: [TouchDesigner, MCP, twozero, creative-coding, real-time-visuals, generative-art, audio-reactive, VJ, installation, GLSL]
@@ -28,24 +28,40 @@ metadata:
 Hermes Agent -> MCP (Streamable HTTP) -> twozero.tox (port 40404) -> TD Python
 ```
 
+**TouchDesigner runs on Windows and macOS only — there is no Linux build**, so
+the standard localhost workflow cannot work on Linux. (A Hermes host can still
+drive TD on ANOTHER machine by pointing the `mcp_servers.touchdesigner` url at
+that machine's IP, but TD itself must live on Windows/macOS and twozero binds
+localhost by default — the TD machine has to forward the port.)
+
 36 native tools. Free plugin (no payment/license — confirmed April 2026).
+TouchDesigner Non-Commercial is free too (requires a free derivative.ca
+account to activate).
 Context-aware (knows selected OP, current network).
 Hub health check: `GET http://localhost:40404/mcp` returns JSON with instance PID, project name, TD version.
 
-## Setup (Automated)
+## Setup
 
-Run the setup script to handle everything:
+The server is in the Nous MCP catalog. Install it with:
 
 ```bash
-bash "${HERMES_HOME:-$HOME/.hermes}/skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/scripts/setup.sh"
+hermes mcp install touchdesigner
 ```
 
-The script will:
-1. Check if TD is running
-2. Download twozero.tox if not already cached
-3. Add `twozero_td` MCP server to Hermes config (if missing)
-4. Test the MCP connection on port 40404
-5. Report what manual steps remain (drag .tox into TD, enable MCP toggle)
+This writes the `mcp_servers.touchdesigner` entry (`http://127.0.0.1:40404/mcp`)
+and applies the curated default tool selection: the 25 creative tools are on;
+the 11 desktop input-automation tools (`td_input_*`, `td_op_screen_rect`,
+`td_click_screen_point`, `td_screen_point_to_global`, `td_get_screen_screenshot`)
+and admin tools (`td_project_quit`, `td_test_session`, `td_dev_log`,
+`td_clear_dev_log`) are OFF by default. Enable them when needed with
+`hermes mcp configure touchdesigner`.
+
+The optional helper script checks TD, downloads twozero.tox, and health-checks
+the port:
+
+```bash
+bash "${HERMES_HOME:-$HOME/.hermes}/skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/scripts/setup.sh"
+```
 
 ### Manual steps (one-time, cannot be automated)
 
@@ -58,6 +74,10 @@ After setup, verify:
 nc -z 127.0.0.1 40404 && echo "twozero MCP: READY"
 ```
 
+> Migrating from the old manual setup: earlier versions of this skill wrote a
+> `twozero_td` entry into `mcp_servers` directly. If you have one, remove it
+> from `~/.hermes/config.yaml` so the server isn't loaded twice under two names.
+
 ## Environment Notes
 
 - **Non-Commercial TD** caps resolution at 1280×1280. Use `outputresolution = 'custom'` and set width/height explicitly.

skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/references/troubleshooting.md

@@ -141,12 +141,17 @@ actual = str(n.width) + 'x' + str(n.height)
 
 ### MCP entry format
 
-The twozero TD entry should look like:
+The catalog install (`hermes mcp install touchdesigner`) writes:
 ```yaml
-mcpServers:
-  twozero_td:
-    url: http://localhost:40404/mcp
+mcp_servers:
+  touchdesigner:
+    url: http://127.0.0.1:40404/mcp
+    enabled: true
+    tools:
+      include: [...]   # curated default — 25 creative tools
 ```
+If you find an old `twozero_td` entry (written by earlier versions of this
+skill's setup script), remove it — the catalog entry replaces it.
 
 ### After config changes
 

skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/scripts/setup.sh

@@ -43,36 +43,27 @@ else
     fi
 fi
 
-# ── 3. Ensure Hermes config has twozero_td MCP entry ──
+# ── 3. Ensure the touchdesigner MCP catalog entry is installed ──
 if [[ ! -f "$HERMES_CFG" ]]; then
     echo -e " ${FAIL} Hermes config not found at ${HERMES_CFG}"
-    manual_steps+=("Create ${HERMES_CFG} with twozero_td MCP server entry")
-elif grep -q 'twozero_td' "$HERMES_CFG" 2>/dev/null; then
-    echo -e " ${OK} twozero_td MCP entry exists in Hermes config"
+    manual_steps+=("Run 'hermes setup' first, then 'hermes mcp install touchdesigner'")
+elif grep -qE '^\s+touchdesigner:' "$HERMES_CFG" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo -e " ${OK} touchdesigner MCP entry exists in Hermes config"
 else
-    echo -e " ${WARN} Adding twozero_td MCP entry to Hermes config..."
-    python3 -c "
-import yaml, sys, copy
-
-cfg_path = '$HERMES_CFG'
-with open(cfg_path, 'r') as f:
-    cfg = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-
-if 'mcp_servers' not in cfg:
-    cfg['mcp_servers'] = {}
+    echo -e " ${WARN} Installing touchdesigner from the MCP catalog..."
+    if command -v hermes >/dev/null 2>&1 && hermes mcp install touchdesigner </dev/null; then
+        echo -e " ${OK} touchdesigner MCP installed via catalog"
+    else
+        echo -e " ${FAIL} Could not run 'hermes mcp install touchdesigner'"
+        manual_steps+=("Run: hermes mcp install touchdesigner")
+    fi
+    manual_steps+=("Restart Hermes session to pick up the new MCP server")
+fi
 
-if 'twozero_td' not in cfg['mcp_servers']:
-    cfg['mcp_servers']['twozero_td'] = {
-        'url': '${MCP_ENDPOINT}',
-        'timeout': 120,
-        'connect_timeout': 60
-    }
-    with open(cfg_path, 'w') as f:
-        yaml.dump(cfg, f, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False)
-" 2>/dev/null && echo -e " ${OK} twozero_td MCP entry added to config" \
-              || { echo -e " ${FAIL} Could not update config (is PyYAML installed?)"; \
-                   manual_steps+=("Add twozero_td MCP entry to ${HERMES_CFG} manually"); }
-    manual_steps+=("Restart Hermes session to pick up config change")
+# ── 3b. Warn about a stale legacy entry from the old manual setup ──
+if [[ -f "$HERMES_CFG" ]] && grep -q 'twozero_td' "$HERMES_CFG" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo -e " ${WARN} Legacy 'twozero_td' entry found in config"
+    manual_steps+=("Remove the old 'twozero_td' entry from mcp_servers in ${HERMES_CFG} (replaced by the catalog's 'touchdesigner' entry)")
 fi
 
 # ── 4. Test if MCP port is responding ──

website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/creative/creative-touchdesigner-mcp.md

@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ Control a running TouchDesigner instance via twozero MCP — create operators, s
 |---|---|
 | Source | Bundled (installed by default) |
 | Path | `skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp` |
-| Version | `1.1.0` |
+| Version | `1.2.0` |
 | Author | kshitijk4poor |
 | License | MIT |
-| Platforms | linux, macos, windows |
+| Platforms | macos, windows |
 | Tags | `TouchDesigner`, `MCP`, `twozero`, `creative-coding`, `real-time-visuals`, `generative-art`, `audio-reactive`, `VJ`, `installation`, `GLSL` |
 | Related skills | `native-mcp`, [`ascii-video`](/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/creative/creative-ascii-video), [`manim-video`](/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/creative/creative-manim-video), `hermes-video` |
 
@@ -45,24 +45,40 @@ The following is the complete skill definition that Hermes loads when this skill
 Hermes Agent -> MCP (Streamable HTTP) -> twozero.tox (port 40404) -> TD Python
 ```
 
+**TouchDesigner runs on Windows and macOS only — there is no Linux build**, so
+the standard localhost workflow cannot work on Linux. (A Hermes host can still
+drive TD on ANOTHER machine by pointing the `mcp_servers.touchdesigner` url at
+that machine's IP, but TD itself must live on Windows/macOS and twozero binds
+localhost by default — the TD machine has to forward the port.)
+
 36 native tools. Free plugin (no payment/license — confirmed April 2026).
+TouchDesigner Non-Commercial is free too (requires a free derivative.ca
+account to activate).
 Context-aware (knows selected OP, current network).
 Hub health check: `GET http://localhost:40404/mcp` returns JSON with instance PID, project name, TD version.
 
-## Setup (Automated)
+## Setup
 
-Run the setup script to handle everything:
+The server is in the Nous MCP catalog. Install it with:
 
 ```bash
-bash "${HERMES_HOME:-$HOME/.hermes}/skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/scripts/setup.sh"
+hermes mcp install touchdesigner
 ```
 
-The script will:
-1. Check if TD is running
-2. Download twozero.tox if not already cached
-3. Add `twozero_td` MCP server to Hermes config (if missing)
-4. Test the MCP connection on port 40404
-5. Report what manual steps remain (drag .tox into TD, enable MCP toggle)
+This writes the `mcp_servers.touchdesigner` entry (`http://127.0.0.1:40404/mcp`)
+and applies the curated default tool selection: the 25 creative tools are on;
+the 11 desktop input-automation tools (`td_input_*`, `td_op_screen_rect`,
+`td_click_screen_point`, `td_screen_point_to_global`, `td_get_screen_screenshot`)
+and admin tools (`td_project_quit`, `td_test_session`, `td_dev_log`,
+`td_clear_dev_log`) are OFF by default. Enable them when needed with
+`hermes mcp configure touchdesigner`.
+
+The optional helper script checks TD, downloads twozero.tox, and health-checks
+the port:
+
+```bash
+bash "${HERMES_HOME:-$HOME/.hermes}/skills/creative/touchdesigner-mcp/scripts/setup.sh"
+```
 
 ### Manual steps (one-time, cannot be automated)
 
@@ -75,6 +91,10 @@ After setup, verify:
 nc -z 127.0.0.1 40404 && echo "twozero MCP: READY"
 ```
 
+> Migrating from the old manual setup: earlier versions of this skill wrote a
+> `twozero_td` entry into `mcp_servers` directly. If you have one, remove it
+> from `~/.hermes/config.yaml` so the server isn't loaded twice under two names.
+
 ## Environment Notes
 
 - **Non-Commercial TD** caps resolution at 1280×1280. Use `outputresolution = 'custom'` and set width/height explicitly.