Pexels

Name: Pexels
Author: developer-ishan

by developer-ishanversion 1.0.2i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.developer-ishan/pexels

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

MCP server for searching Pexels stock photos, videos, and curated collections.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Other
You need to fill in: PEXELS_API_KEY

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: PEXELS_API_KEY

Values marked secret are keys to your account. Never share them or paste them into a chat.

You need

npmNode.js installed (for the npx command)

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pexels": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-pexels"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add pexels --env PEXELS_API_KEY=your-value -- npx -y mcp-pexels

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pexels": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-pexels"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "pexels": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-pexels"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

PEXELS_API_KEY secret required env
Pexels API key. Get one for free at https://www.pexels.com/api/. Free tier: 200 req/hour, 20,000 req/month.

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 6, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account developer-ishan, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Compared with others in Otheri

More stars than 0% of the other 32433 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 10% of the other 32433 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 32433 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Pexels safe?

It passed 1 of 1 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

You need to fill in: PEXELS_API_KEY

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed –, and the latest version (1.0.2) reached the registry 6 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Spec Driven Development, Remote Desktop Commander, Symantec Cloud DLP AIops

Alternatives

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Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

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README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

mcp-pexels — Pexels MCP server for Claude, Cursor, and other AI agents

A [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) server that exposes the [Pexels API](https://www.pexels.com/api/) — free stock photos, videos, and curated collections — as MCP tools that any compatible AI client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Cline, Continue, etc.) can call directly from a chat.

📦 npm: mcp-pexels · 🏷 Latest release: v1.0.0 · 💻 Source: developer-ishan/mcp-pexels

Photos & videos provided by Pexels.

Drop-in config

"mcpServers": { "pexels": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-pexels"], "env": { "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } }

Paste into your MCP client's config, restart, and the nine pexels_* tools are live. Get a free key at https://www.pexels.com/api/.

What can you build with this?
Capabilities — nine tools
Connect to your MCP client
Claude Desktop
Claude Code
Cursor
Cline (VS Code)
Continue.dev
Generic / other clients
Example prompts
How it compares
FAQ
Requirements
Development
Releasing
Contributing
Attribution & License

What can you build with this?

Once mcp-pexels is connected to an AI client, the agent can pull royalty-free photos and videos straight into its workflow. A few concrete uses:

Slide-deck and document illustration — "Find me a landscape photo of mountains at sunset for slide 3" → the agent searches Pexels, picks one, and embeds it.
Blog post / social media drafting — "Suggest three thumbnail options for an article about remote work" → returns three Pexels URLs with photographer credit.
Background research for video editing — "Show me popular drone footage under 30 seconds in 4K" → uses pexels_popular_videos with size and duration filters.
Mood boards — "Build me a mood board of warm-toned coffee shop photos" → searches with color: "orange".
Coding agents — generate CSS/HTML with realistic placeholder imagery instead of lorem-pixel boxes.
Curated collections — pull a specific Pexels collection (e.g. company-owned shots tagged on Pexels) into the agent's context.

Because every response includes a _rateLimit object, the agent can self-throttle and respect the Pexels free-tier quota (200 req/hour, 20 000/month).

Capabilities — nine tools

Domain	Tool	What it does
Photos	`pexels_search_photos`	Search photos by query with orientation / size / color / locale filters.
Photos	`pexels_curated_photos`	Fetch the Pexels team's real-time curated photo feed.
Photos	`pexels_get_photo`	Retrieve a single photo by its numeric id.
Videos	`pexels_search_videos`	Search videos by query with orientation / size / locale filters.
Videos	`pexels_popular_videos`	Fetch popular videos with optional width / height / duration constraints.
Videos	`pexels_get_video`	Retrieve a single video by its numeric id.
Collections	`pexels_featured_collections`	List Pexels featured collections.
Collections	`pexels_my_collections`	List the authenticated user's own collections.
Collections	`pexels_collection_media`	Retrieve the photos and videos inside a specific collection.

Each tool response is the raw Pexels JSON merged with a top-level _rateLimit field exposing limit, remaining, and reset (UNIX timestamp).

See docs/tools/ for per-tool parameter tables and example payloads.

Connect to your MCP client

All paths below use npx -y mcp-pexels — no global install required. Replace your_key_here with a real Pexels API key.

Claude Desktop

Option 1 — one-click `.mcpb` install (recommended). Download the latest mcp-pexels-*.mcpb from the Releases page, double-click the file, paste your Pexels API key when Claude Desktop prompts, and click Install.

Option 2 — manual JSON config. Edit claude_desktop_config.json:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

"mcpServers": { "pexels": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-pexels"], "env": { "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } }

Restart Claude Desktop.

Claude Code

claude mcp add pexels -e PEXELS_API_KEY=your_key_here -- npx -y mcp-pexels

Or edit ~/.claude.json directly and add the same mcpServers block as above.

Cursor

Edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (per-project):

"mcpServers": { "pexels": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-pexels"], "env": { "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } }

Cline (VS Code)

Open the Cline extension settings → MCP Servers → Edit Settings. Add:

"mcpServers": { "pexels": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-pexels"], "env": { "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } }

Continue.dev

In ~/.continue/config.json:

"experimental": { "modelContextProtocolServers": [ { "transport": { "type": "stdio", "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-pexels"], "env": { "PEXELS_API_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } ] } }

Generic / other clients

If your client supports stdio MCP servers it just needs command, args, and env. Use the same shape as Cursor / Claude Desktop above. For inspector / debugging:

export PEXELS_API_KEY=your_key_here

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector npx -y mcp-pexels

This opens a browser UI where you can call each tool interactively.

Example prompts

Once connected, try prompts like:

*"Find me five landscape photos of mountains at golden hour. Make sure they're at least full HD."*
*"Get me popular Pexels videos shorter than 15 seconds, 1080p or higher, of city traffic."*
*"Pull photo id 2014422 and tell me the photographer."*
*"List the featured Pexels collections — I want one I can browse for cooking photos."*
*"Search videos of 'forest' in portrait orientation; pick the highest-quality HD file for me."*
*"Show me Pexels photos with predominantly orange tones suitable for a fall-themed newsletter header."*

The agent will pick the appropriate tool, send the right parameters, and include photographer/videographer credit as part of its answer.

How it compares

	mcp-pexels	Raw Pexels REST API	Image-only general MCP servers
Photos	✅	✅	varies
Videos	✅	✅	usually ❌
Collections	✅	✅	❌
Rate-limit headers exposed to agent	✅	❌ (raw headers, agent must parse)	❌
Zod-validated input	✅	❌	varies
`npx`-installable, zero config	✅	❌	varies
Type-safe TS source	✅	n/a	varies
MIT-licensed	✅	n/a	varies

If you only need photos and you already have a generic image MCP server wired up, that may be enough. If you want first-class video and collection support with rate-limit awareness, this is purpose-built for it.

FAQ

How do I get a Pexels API key?

Sign up at https://www.pexels.com/api/ — keys are issued instantly and the free tier allows 200 requests/hour and 20 000 requests/month.

Does this cost anything?

No. The Pexels API is free, the npm package is free (MIT), and mcp-pexels itself does not call any paid service.

Will this work offline?

No — the server is a thin wrapper over the Pexels HTTPS API and requires network access.

Can I use Pexels content commercially?

Yes, per the Pexels license, but you must attribute the platform and (when possible) the photographer. See Attribution.

Does it work with Claude.ai (browser)?

Claude.ai's web product doesn't yet support stdio MCP servers — only Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and the API do. Anthropic is rolling out browser MCP support, so this should change.

Is there a hosted / SaaS version?

No. Run it locally via npx. Because Pexels API keys are per-user, hosting a shared instance doesn't make sense.

How do I update to a newer version?

npx always fetches the latest published version. If you've installed globally, run npm update -g mcp-pexels.

Can I add more Pexels endpoints?

The Pexels API surface is fully implemented (9/9 endpoints as of Pexels API v1). New endpoints will be added via PR — see Contributing.

Does it work with `@modelcontextprotocol/inspector`?

Yes:

export PEXELS_API_KEY=your_key_here

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector npx -y mcp-pexels

How is rate limiting handled?

Every tool response includes a _rateLimit object with limit, remaining, and reset (UNIX timestamp). The agent can read this and self-throttle. If Pexels returns 429, the server surfaces it as a PexelsApiError so the agent sees the failure.

Where does my API key go?

It is read from the PEXELS_API_KEY env var on the local process. It never leaves your machine except in Authorization headers to api.pexels.com. Nothing is logged.

Requirements

Node.js ≥ 20 (uses native fetch and --env-file)
A free Pexels API key — request one here

Development

git clone https://github.com/developer-ishan/mcp-pexels.git

cd mcp-pexels npm install echo "PEXELS_API_KEY=your_key_here" > .env

npm test # 42 mocked vitest cases, no network npm run build # tsc → dist/ npm run dev # tsx watch npm run test:watch # vitest in watch mode npm start # node --env-file=.env dist/index.js

Project layout

src/

├── index.ts # MCP server entrypoint (stdio) ├── http/ │ ├── client.ts # PexelsClient (injectable fetch for tests) │ └── types.ts # PexelsApiError, RateLimit, PexelsResponse ├── tools/ │ ├── index.ts # composes the three domain factories │ ├── photos.ts # 3 photo tools │ ├── videos.ts # 3 video tools │ └── collections.ts # 3 collection tools └── types/ ├── tool.ts # defineTool helper + ToolDefinition ├── photos.ts ├──

Only the beginning is shown; read the rest in the repo

Pexels

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Otheri

Common questions

Alternatives

Spec Driven Development

Remote Desktop Commander

Symantec Cloud DLP AIops

README from the maker

mcp-pexels — Pexels MCP server for Claude, Cursor, and other AI agents

Drop-in config

Table of contents

What can you build with this?

Capabilities — nine tools

Connect to your MCP client

Claude Desktop

Claude Code

Cursor

Cline (VS Code)

Continue.dev

Generic / other clients

Example prompts

How it compares

FAQ

How do I get a Pexels API key?

Does this cost anything?

Will this work offline?

Can I use Pexels content commercially?

Does it work with Claude.ai (browser)?

Is there a hosted / SaaS version?

How do I update to a newer version?

Can I add more Pexels endpoints?

Does it work with @modelcontextprotocol/inspector?

How is rate limiting handled?

Where does my API key go?

Requirements

Development

Project layout

Does it work with `@modelcontextprotocol/inspector`?