MusicXML to ABC

Name: MusicXML to ABC
Author: raulkivi

by raulkiviversion 0.2.2i★ 3 (Stars for the whole repo)iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.raulkivi/musicxml-abc-mcp

How to install

What it does

Converts between MusicXML and ABC notation, so LLMs can read and edit scores

Connects Runs on your computer
Account or key No key needed
Category Search & AI memory

Install

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

Passed 3/3 checks · Runs on your computer · ✓ Commands checked Nov 13, 2026

First: which AI do you use?

ClaudeWeb · app · phoneChatGPTWebClaude CodeTerminalCursorCode editorVS CodeCode editorOtherOther apps

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude, with some setup first

Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a Claude chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server MusicXML to ABC for Claude on this computer, in this order: 1) Check uv with uv --version. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): { "mcpServers": { "musicxml-abc": { "command": "uvx", "args": [ "musicxml-abc-mcp" ] } } } 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the MusicXML to ABC tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

1
Install uv (if you don’t have it)
Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter
uv --version
- A version number such as uv … = installed, skip this step
- "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
How to open Terminal
Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter
Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open
Not installed: uv has no click-through installer. Copy the one-line command for your system (macOS or Windows) from uv’s official page into Terminal · no separate Python install needed; uv downloads it when required
Open the uv download page ↗
When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: uv --version
Install once; it works for everything that needs uv
Done
Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file
SettingsDeveloperEdit Config
Done

Paste these settings and save the file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "musicxml-abc": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "musicxml-abc-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Done

Quit Claude and open it again
Done
Try it
Use MusicXML to ABC and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using MusicXML to ABC or shows a MusicXML to ABC tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

ChatGPT cannot connect MusicXML to ABC yet

MusicXML to ABC runs on your computer, but ChatGPT can only connect servers that run on the web

What you can do instead

A · Use an app that can connect MusicXML to ABC

Steps for Claude →Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone
Steps for Claude Code →Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)
Steps for Cursor →Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)
Steps for VS Code →Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

B · Others in Search & AI memory that work with ChatGPT

Picked from the most used in the same category, only ones that connect by address with no key

Context7✓ ChatGPT
OpenSEO✓ ChatGPT
AIHOT✓ ChatGPT

Works with Claude Code, with some setup first

Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a Claude Code chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server MusicXML to ABC for Claude Code on this computer, in this order: 1) Check uv with uv --version. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): claude mcp add --scope user musicxml-abc -- uvx musicxml-abc-mcp 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the MusicXML to ABC tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

1
Install uv (if you don’t have it)
Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter
uv --version
- A version number such as uv … = installed, skip this step
- "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
How to open Terminal
Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter
Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open
Not installed: uv has no click-through installer. Copy the one-line command for your system (macOS or Windows) from uv’s official page into Terminal · no separate Python install needed; uv downloads it when required
Open the uv download page ↗
When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: uv --version
Install once; it works for everything that needs uv
Done
Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done

Paste this command and press Enter

claude mcp add --scope user musicxml-abc -- uvx musicxml-abc-mcp

Done

Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see MusicXML to ABC listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use MusicXML to ABC and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using MusicXML to ABC or shows a MusicXML to ABC tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor, with some setup first

Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a Cursor chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server MusicXML to ABC for Cursor on this computer, in this order: 1) Check uv with uv --version. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): { "mcpServers": { "musicxml-abc": { "command": "uvx", "args": [ "musicxml-abc-mcp" ] } } } 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the MusicXML to ABC tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

1
Install uv (if you don’t have it)
Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter
uv --version
- A version number such as uv … = installed, skip this step
- "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
How to open Terminal
Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter
Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open
Not installed: uv has no click-through installer. Copy the one-line command for your system (macOS or Windows) from uv’s official page into Terminal · no separate Python install needed; uv downloads it when required
Open the uv download page ↗
When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: uv --version
Install once; it works for everything that needs uv
Done
Click this button to open Cursor
Open in Cursor
Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use MusicXML to ABC and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using MusicXML to ABC or shows a MusicXML to ABC tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code, with some setup first

Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a VS Code chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server MusicXML to ABC for VS Code on this computer, in this order: 1) Check uv with uv --version. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): { "servers": { "musicxml-abc": { "type": "stdio", "command": "uvx", "args": [ "musicxml-abc-mcp" ] } } } 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the MusicXML to ABC tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

1
Install uv (if you don’t have it)
Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter
uv --version
- A version number such as uv … = installed, skip this step
- "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
How to open Terminal
Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter
Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open
Not installed: uv has no click-through installer. Copy the one-line command for your system (macOS or Windows) from uv’s official page into Terminal · no separate Python install needed; uv downloads it when required
Open the uv download page ↗
When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: uv --version
Install once; it works for everything that needs uv
Done
Click this button to open VS Code
Open in VS Code
VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use MusicXML to ABC and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using MusicXML to ABC or shows a MusicXML to ABC tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use MusicXML to ABC💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add --scope user musicxml-abc -- uvx musicxml-abc-mcp

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "musicxml-abc": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "musicxml-abc-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "musicxml-abc": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "musicxml-abc-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "musicxml-abc": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "musicxml-abc-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 3 (Stars for the whole repo)
This repo holds several MCP listings; its stars count once in rankings
Downloads per weeki: 37/wk
Licence i: MIT
Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Latest versioni: 0.2.2
Categoryi: Search & AI memory
Published to registryi: Oct 12, 2026
Code last changedi: Nov 15, 2026
Maker: raulkivi
Packages: pypi: musicxml-abc-mcp
Repo: raulkivi/sheet-music-mcp
Registry status: Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Run on your computer in

Claude Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Raycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

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 15, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account raulkivi, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed today
✓ Pass
Has a licence
Uses MIT
– 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

Published vulnerabilities (OSV.dev)

Not checked yet

What we check → · JSON

Makers: ask for a re-check or report wrong info

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

User reviews

No reviews yet

Compared with others in Search & AI memoryi

More stars than 0% of the other 6159 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 52% of the other 6159 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 6159 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 MusicXML to ABC safe?

It passed 3 of 3 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?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

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 today, and the latest version (0.2.2) reached the registry 34 days ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Python (uv) on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: OpenSEO, Exa, Mockserver, Microsoft Learn MCP, Docs

Similar alternatives

Same category, other makers, commands already checked. Official ones first, then by stars.

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

OpenSEO

Keyword research, site audits, rank tracking and AI visibility for your AI agent.

by every-appWidely used★ 27.7KUpdated yesterday

Runs in the cloud✓ everyapp.com

How to connect

Exa

Connect AI agents to Exa for web search, content fetching, and multi-step research.

by exa-labsWidely used★ 5.2KUpdated 2 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · exa.aiTried by the PopNx team

How to connect

Mockserver

Mock, record/replay, verify and chaos-test any HTTP, REST, gRPC or LLM dependency over MCP.

by mock-serverGrowing★ 5KUpdated 19 days ago

Runs on your computer✓ service owner · mock-server.com

Install

Microsoft Learn MCP

Official Microsoft Learn MCP Server – real-time, trusted docs & code samples for AI and LLMs.

by MicrosoftDocsWidely used★ 2KUpdated 12 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · microsoft.comTried by the PopNx team

How to connect

Docs

Search and read Empryo's documentation. Read-only, no auth, no local access.

by proxysoulGrowing★ 1.6KUpdated 2 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ empryo.com

How to connect

OpenSEO — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
Exa — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed · In Claude’s directory
Mockserver — Installs on your computer · No key needed
Microsoft Learn MCP — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed · In Claude’s directory
Docs — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed

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.

musicxml-abc-mcp

MCP server that converts between MusicXML and ABC notation.

What it does

Bridges MusicXML (the standard but verbose XML format) and ABC notation (a compact, human-readable text format). The primary use case is enabling LLM-assisted score editing: MusicXML → ABC → Claude edits → ABC → MusicXML.

ABC is ideal for LLM editing because it is concise enough to fit in a context window and expressive enough to represent most choral music.

Tools

Tool	Description
`musicxml_to_abc`	Convert MusicXML (`musicxml` text or `musicxml_path`) to ABC notation; optionally filter to a single part and a range of printed bars (`measures`)
`abc_to_musicxml`	Convert ABC notation back to MusicXML; large scores are written to a file (`return`: `auto` / `path` / `inline`)
`validate_abc`	Parse an ABC string and return errors or warnings
`list_capabilities`	Return server metadata: backend version, ABC standard
`health_check`	Run a MusicXML → ABC → MusicXML round-trip smoke test and report status
`describe_score`	Summarize a score cheaply: parts (IDs `P1`…), key, time, tempo, ranges, measures

Installation

cd musicxml-abc-mcp

uv sync --extra dev

Note: use --extra dev (not --group dev) to install pytest.

For a guided setup (installs uv if needed, then syncs dependencies), run ./install.sh — see SETUP.md for step-by-step instructions. Ready-made client configs (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Continue, Zed) are in examples/. If something doesn't work, check TROUBLESHOOTING.md.

Running

uv run musicxml-abc-mcp

No environment variables required. Optional: SHEET_MUSIC_OUTPUT_ROOT (where large scores are written and paths are read; default the working directory), SHEET_MUSIC_INPUT_ROOTS (extra folders to read scores from) and SHEET_MUSIC_INLINE_MAX_BYTES (default 8192). See Score References.

Usage examples

Scores can be passed as text (musicxml) or as a file path (musicxml_path: .musicxml, .xml or .mxl inside the allowed folders). abc_to_musicxml returns small scores as text and writes large ones to /scores/, returning musicxml_path plus a short score_summary; pass "return": "inline" to always get the text.

// Convert full score to ABC

{ "tool": "musicxml_to_abc", "arguments": {"musicxml": " ... "} } // → {"abc": "X:1\nT:...\n...", "parts_included": ["P1", "P2", "P3", "P4"], "warnings": []}

// Extract just the Soprano part { "tool": "musicxml_to_abc", "arguments": {"musicxml": " ... ", "part": "Soprano"} } // part takes a part ID ("P1"), name ("soprano", any case) or voice ("S"); an unknown part // returns the valid choices. part_id is a deprecated alias for one minor release.

// Just bars 17–24 of the Alto part { "tool": "musicxml_to_abc", "arguments": {"musicxml_path": "scores/anthem.musicxml", "part": "Alto", "measures": [17, 24]} } // measures are the printed bar numbers, inclusive (a pickup bar is 0). The ABC headers (K:, M:, // Q:) are the key, time and tempo in force at bar 17. A range outside the score returns // INVALID_PARAMETER with a hint such as "This score has measures 1–32."

// Convert edited ABC back to MusicXML { "tool": "abc_to_musicxml", "arguments": {"abc": "X:1\nT:My Song\n..."} } // → {"musicxml": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>...", "warnings": []}

// Validate ABC before converting { "tool": "validate_abc", "arguments": {"abc": "X:1\nT:My Song\n..."} }

ABC notation basics

This server uses ABC standard v2.1:

C (uppercase) = C4 (middle C)
c (lowercase) = C5 (one octave above middle C)
Apostrophe raises an octave: c' = C6
Comma lowers an octave: C, = C3

Round-trips preserve notes within ±2%. Dynamics and complex articulations are not preserved.

Testing

# All tests including integration (round-trip SATB conversion)

VIRTUAL_ENV= .venv/bin/pytest tests/ -v

Dependencies

music21 — score parsing; ABC output uses a custom serializer (music21 9.x has no ABC writer)
mcp — MCP protocol

System requirements

Python 3.11+
No system libraries required

MusicXML to ABC

What it does

Install

Install uv (if you don’t have it)

Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file

Paste these settings and save the file

Quit Claude and open it again

Try it

What you can do instead

Install uv (if you don’t have it)

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Install uv (if you don’t have it)

Click this button to open Cursor

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Install uv (if you don’t have it)

Click this button to open VS Code

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Installed on your computer

At a glance

Which apps can use it

Related guides

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

Published vulnerabilities (OSV.dev)

Discussion

User reviews

Compared with others in Search & AI memoryi

Common questions

Similar alternatives

OpenSEO

Exa

Mockserver

Microsoft Learn MCP

Docs

README from the maker

musicxml-abc-mcp

What it does

Tools

Installation

Running

Usage examples

ABC notation basics

Testing

Dependencies

System requirements