1Install imagic and start the trial
The MCP server ships with imagic Max, and the free 500-export trial unlocks everything with no card. Download it from the desktop page first, because ChatGPT needs something to talk to.
2Turn on Remote control, then add imagic to ChatGPT
ChatGPT reaches imagic over a small always-on relay, not a config file on disk. Turn on Remote control in imagic, then add imagic to ChatGPT as a custom MCP app.
- In imagic: on the Home screen, switch on Remote control. A 6-digit code appears; leave imagic open.
- In ChatGPT (web, chatgpt.com): Settings › Security and login › switch on Developer mode.
- Plugins › Add › Create MCP App. Name it imagic, set the MCP server URL to https://mcp.imagic.ink/mcp, set Authentication to OAuth and leave the Advanced OAuth settings empty, then tick the trust checkbox.
- Create. A page from imagic opens and asks for the 6-digit code. Enter it and the two are paired.
Server URL
https://mcp.imagic.ink/mcp
Needs imagic 1.4 or newer, an imagic Max plan or an active trial, and ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise in a browser at chatgpt.com. Developer mode is not in the ChatGPT desktop or mobile apps yet.
3Ask for a cull
Start a new chat in ChatGPT, with imagic ticked under + then Developer mode, then point it at a shoot:
Cull the shoot in D:/Shoots/eva_tom, apply my style, and export the keepers.
ChatGPT will call scan_directory, analyze_photos, apply_my_style and export_photos in turn. Every one of those runs on your machine: the agent sends instructions, never your photos.
Things that catch people out
- ChatGPT sometimes drops the app between messages. If it says it cannot see imagic, tick imagic again in the + menu before asking again.
- A big job, a full card import or a large export, keeps running on your computer after ChatGPT's own reply comes back; ask it to check progress rather than assuming it stalled.
- Exports in remote mode are restricted to imagic's export folder (plus any folders listed under mcp.remote_allowed_folders in imagic's config.yaml), so a made-up export path is refused rather than silently writing somewhere unexpected.
- Reading your library needs no approval; anything that changes it, edits or exports, shows ChatGPT's own approval prompt first.
What imagic can do once it is connected
That is 21 tools in total, covering the library, culling, editing and your learned style. See the full tool reference, or the workflows for what to actually ask for.
Setting up a different client?
Try it on a real shoot
The 500-export trial includes imagic Max, the MCP server and every tool on this page. No card required.
Configuration verified against OpenAI's documentation. If ChatGPT changes its setup and this page falls behind, tell us and we will fix it.