git:20260716.e8ecfe9 to git:20260719.b4142c2

---

name: dcc-mcp-maya-setup

description: |-

Set up dcc-mcp-maya for an agent or operator: install Maya Python

dependencies with mayapy, generate MCP host configuration, guide the user

through loading the Maya plugin, and run a first live-tool smoke prompt.

license: MIT

allowed-tools: Bash Read

metadata:

dcc-mcp:

dcc: maya

layer: operator

stage: bootstrap

version: 1.0.0

tags:

- maya

- mcp

- setup

- mayapy

- plugin

---

# dcc-mcp-maya setup

Use this skill when a user wants an agent to prepare a machine so any MCP

host can use `dcc-mcp-maya` with Autodesk Maya.

This is an operator skill, not a Maya runtime skill. Do not load it through

the Maya MCP server. Run it from the repository checkout or copy its steps into

another agent's instructions.

root `install.md` first, then follow this skill.

## Goal

End with:

- `dcc-mcp-maya` and its pip dependencies installed into the target Maya

`mayapy` environment.

- An MCP host config snippet that points to the Maya plugin gateway.

- The user guided to load `dcc_mcp_maya_plugin.py` in Maya's Plug-in Manager.

- A live smoke prompt that proves the agent can discover and call Maya tools.

## Fast Path

From the repository root, run:

```bash

python skills/dcc-mcp-maya-setup/scripts/setup_dcc_mcp_maya.py

```

The script:

1. Finds `mayapy` from `--mayapy`, `MAYAPY`, `DCC_MCP_MAYA_MAYAPY`, `PATH`,

or common Autodesk install locations.

2. Installs this checkout into Maya with the sidecar extra:

`mayapy -m pip install -e ".[sidecar]"`.

3. Verifies `import dcc_mcp_maya`.

4. Writes reusable MCP JSON snippets under `.dcc-mcp/agent-setup/`.

Use PyPI instead of the local checkout when setting up an end-user machine:

```bash

python skills/dcc-mcp-maya-setup/scripts/setup_dcc_mcp_maya.py --source pypi

```

If discovery fails, ask the user for the full `mayapy` path and re-run:

```bash

python skills/dcc-mcp-maya-setup/scripts/setup_dcc_mcp_maya.py --mayapy "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2025\bin\mayapy.exe"

```

## MCP Configuration

Plugin sidecar mode is the preferred default. Configure the MCP host with:

```json

{

"mcpServers": {

"maya": {

"url": "http://127.0.0.1:9765/mcp"

}

}

}

```

For an explicit direct connection, run `dcc-mcp-cli list` and use the exact

instance URL published there; do not hardcode an instance port.

When editing an existing MCP config, preserve unrelated servers. Merge only the

`maya` server entry unless the user asks for a different server name.

## User Hand-Off: Load the Maya Plugin

After pip setup and MCP JSON generation, tell the user:

1. Open Autodesk Maya.

2. Go to `Window > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager`.

3. Add or find `dcc_mcp_maya_plugin.py`.

4. Check `Loaded`; optionally check `Auto load`.

5. Watch Script Editor output for the MCP URL.

Expected plugin-mode URL is usually `http://127.0.0.1:9765/mcp`.

If the plugin is not visible, verify that `maya/plugin/dcc_mcp_maya_plugin.py`

is on `MAYA_PLUG_IN_PATH` or copy it into the user's Maya plug-ins folder.

## First Live Smoke Prompt

Ask the MCP host to run this prompt after Maya is open and the plugin is

loaded:

```text

Use the Maya MCP server. First call dcc_capability_manifest with loaded_only=false.

Then load the maya-primitives skill, create a sphere named mcp_setup_smoke_sphere

with radius 2, list scene objects, and tell me the MCP URL and created object name.

Use typed tools where available and avoid execute_python unless no typed tool fits.

```

Expected behavior:

- The agent discovers capabilities without dumping every schema.

- The agent loads `maya-primitives`.

- The agent calls `maya_primitives__create_sphere`.

- The new object appears in the Maya scene.

- `maya_scene__list_objects` or another scene query confirms it exists.

## Troubleshooting

- `mayapy` not found: ask for the exact Maya version and mayapy path.

- Pip bootstrap fails: run `mayapy -m ensurepip --upgrade`, then repeat install.

- MCP connection refused: Maya is not running, the plugin is not loaded, or the

host cached a stale direct URL; use gateway `9765` or refresh with `dcc-mcp-cli list`.

- Tool missing: call `dcc_capability_manifest` or `search_skills`, then

`load_skill("<skill-name>")`.

- Plugin loaded but hangs: check Script Editor output, firewall/localhost

rules, and whether a blocking Maya dialog is open.