To set up visual testing with the Applitools MCP server, connect the server to an MCP-compatible assistant, provide the correct Applitools keys, and ask the assistant to configure Eyes and add checkpoints to a supported Playwright test. The MCP server assists with setup and review; the Applitools Eyes SDK still runs the tests. Automated setup and checkpoint editing are documented for Playwright JavaScript/TypeScript Fixtures projects.
What the Applitools MCP server does
The Applitools MCP server connects compatible assistants to Applitools Eyes workflows. It can help configure a project, add visual checkpoints, configure Ultrafast Grid, and inspect or review visual results. It is an assistant interface, not a replacement for the Eyes SDK that executes visual tests.
Applitools describes the server as supporting workflows across its supported SDKs, but the setup and checkpoint tools have a narrower scope: they are documented for Playwright JavaScript/TypeScript Fixtures. Inspection, resolution, and review tools can work with Eyes results produced by supported SDKs and languages.
Prerequisites and support boundaries
- Node.js 18 or newer.
- An MCP-compatible assistant or client. Applitools lists VS Code/Copilot, Cursor, Cline, and Claude Code among the examples.
- Access to the project source code if you want the assistant to configure the project or edit tests.
- A Playwright project using the Applitools Playwright JavaScript/TypeScript Fixtures SDK for the documented setup and checkpoint-editing tools.
Do not assume that every MCP capability has the same project requirement: result inspection and resolution are broader than automated setup and checkpoint insertion. Refer to Applitools’ current MCP documentation for its present support details.
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Choose an installation route
Use the VS Code or Cursor extension
Applitools documents its VS Code or Cursor extension as the simplest route; the extension manages the server connection. Choose this path if your team already works in one of those editors and wants less manual MCP configuration. Follow the extension’s current setup prompts and reload or restart the client if it asks you to.
Register the server manually
For a manual stdio setup, configure your MCP client to invoke the package through npx:
{
"mcpServers": {
"applitools-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": ["--yes", "@applitools/mcp@latest"]
}
}
}The @latest tag is a moving version reference, not a pinned release. Client configuration locations and registration commands differ, so use the client-specific instructions in the official documentation or the Applitools MCP GitHub repository. For example, the docs cover VS Code CLI registration, Cursor configuration, Cline settings, and a Claude Code CLI command.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Configure authentication without mixing up the keys
Applitools documents three distinct credentials. Use the one that matches the action you want the assistant or test runner to perform:
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| Credential | Purpose |
|---|---|
APPLITOOLS_API_KEY |
Execution key used when running Eyes visual tests; setup tools can search common project and environment configuration locations for it. |
APPLITOOLS_READ_KEY |
Read-only key for inspection tools and review in inspect mode. |
APPLITOOLS_WRITE_KEY |
Write-only key for resolution tools and review in resolve mode, which the documentation identifies as the default. |
Keys can be supplied as environment variables, stored in a project .env file, or placed in the server’s MCP configuration. If configuring them in the client configuration, use placeholders only in examples and keep real credentials out of source control:
{
"mcpServers": {
"applitools-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": ["--yes", "@applitools/mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"APPLITOOLS_API_KEY": "<execution-key>",
"APPLITOOLS_READ_KEY": "<read-only-key>",
"APPLITOOLS_WRITE_KEY": "<write-only-key>"
}
}
}
}The execution key is not a substitute for the read and write keys. Add the latter only when using the corresponding inspection or resolution workflows.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
First-run workflow: configure Eyes and add a checkpoint
- Confirm the project fits the setup tools. Check that it is a Playwright JavaScript/TypeScript Fixtures project if you want automated project setup or checkpoint insertion.
- Connect the MCP client. Install the extension or add the manual stdio configuration, then reload the client if required by its MCP workflow.
- Set the needed credentials. Provide
APPLITOOLS_API_KEYfor Eyes execution and setup. AddAPPLITOOLS_READ_KEYorAPPLITOOLS_WRITE_KEYfor the relevant results workflow. - Ask the assistant to verify the API key and configure Eyes. The setup tools can configure the Eyes reporter and project settings. Inspect the proposed changes before accepting them.
- Request a checkpoint in an existing test. For example, ask the assistant to add a visual checkpoint to a meaningful existing test such as
login.spec. Review the diff to confirm the checkpoint is placed after the page reaches the intended state. - Run the test with the Eyes SDK. The first run can establish a baseline; later runs can produce comparisons. The MCP server guides the workflow but does not execute the test in place of the SDK.
- Inspect differences and decide what to do. Use the relevant result-inspection tools, then treat any baseline acceptance or resolution as a human review decision. Applitools says the assistant requests explicit approval before committing a baseline change.
- Configure Ultrafast Grid if needed. Ask the assistant to configure cross-browser or device coverage after the basic test flow is working, and review the resulting project changes.
This sequence reflects the workflow described by Applitools, not an independent performance or reliability test.
Use ScreenshotNeo when you need a screenshot, not an Eyes visual test
Applitools MCP is for configuring and working with Eyes visual tests. If your task is to capture a web page as an image or PDF through an API, ScreenshotNeo is a separate website screenshot API and MCP server—not a replacement for Eyes baselines or visual-test execution.
Or skip the browser setup
One GET request can return a screenshot; see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for parameters and response details. Replace the example URL with the page you need and supply your API key:
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo accepts cookie or consent banners like a visitor and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each of those steps can be turned off. Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and the response identifies the page verdict and billing status in headers. It also provides an MCP server for AI agents, with take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting common setup problems
The assistant cannot find the MCP server
- Confirm the configuration is saved in the location used by your specific client; those locations differ.
- Check that the client supports the documented MCP configuration and that the server command is exactly
npxwith arguments--yesand@applitools/mcp@latest. - Reload or restart the client after changing its MCP settings.
- Verify that Node.js 18 or newer is available to the environment where the client launches the server.
Key verification or setup fails
- Check for a valid
APPLITOOLS_API_KEYin the environment, project configuration, or MCP server environment. - Do not pass a read-only or write-only key in place of the execution key; they serve different workflows.
- If an inspection or resolution action fails after setup, confirm that the matching read or write key is configured.
The assistant will not add checkpoints to my project
Check that the project uses Playwright with Applitools’ JavaScript/TypeScript Fixtures SDK. The documented setup and checkpoint tools do not claim the same broad SDK/language support as result inspection and resolution.
Visual results appear but a baseline action is pending
Review the visual difference and intended UI change before approving. Baseline commits are deliberate review actions, not automatic acceptance.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The package or client setup instructions have changed
The documented command uses @latest, and client configuration may evolve. Check Applitools’ current documentation and repository instructions before relying on older configuration examples.
Performance, reliability, and maintenance notes
- The MCP connection lets an assistant prepare and inspect workflow changes; the test run itself depends on the Eyes SDK and your project’s test execution environment.
- Because the manual install uses a moving package tag, teams that need reproducible tooling should check the current package and client guidance and decide how they manage version changes.
- Visual checkpoints are most useful when placed at stable, meaningful states. Review generated edits and resulting differences rather than treating a successful assistant action as proof that the visual test is correct.
- No setup guide establishes a specific speed, accuracy, or cross-browser coverage guarantee. Configure the Grid and evaluate results against your application’s own needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Applitools MCP server run the visual tests?
No. It helps the assistant configure and work with Eyes; the Eyes SDK remains responsible for test execution.
Can I use the setup tools with a non-Playwright project?
The documented automated setup and checkpoint tools target Playwright JavaScript/TypeScript Fixtures. Result inspection and resolution have broader support across Eyes results from supported SDKs and languages.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Which keys do I need for read-only inspection?
The documentation specifies an Applitools read-only key for inspection tools and review in inspect mode.
Quick Recap
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