# Gradus Notation MCP server

> Enables AI agents to render music notation, perform harmonic analysis, check engraving quality, and search music theory knowledge bases.

- Repository: https://github.com/delmas41/gradusnotation
- Page: https://hostedmcp.org/servers/delmas41/gradusnotation
- Transport: stdio
- Stars: 3
- License: MIT
- Latest version: 0.8.0

## Install

### Claude Code

```sh
claude mcp add gradusnotation -- npx -y @gradusmusic/notation-mcp
```

### Cursor (`~/.cursor/mcp.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gradusnotation": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@gradusmusic/notation-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code (`.vscode/mcp.json`)

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "gradusnotation": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@gradusmusic/notation-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code CLI

```sh
code --add-mcp '{"name":"gradusnotation","type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","@gradusmusic/notation-mcp"]}'
```

### Claude Desktop (`claude_desktop_config.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gradusnotation": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@gradusmusic/notation-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```sh
codex mcp add gradusnotation -- npx -y @gradusmusic/notation-mcp
```

### Codex config.toml (`~/.codex/config.toml`)

```toml
[mcp_servers.gradusnotation]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@gradusmusic/notation-mcp"]
```

### Gemini CLI

```sh
gemini mcp add -s user gradusnotation npx -- -y @gradusmusic/notation-mcp
```

### Gemini settings.json (`~/.gemini/settings.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gradusnotation": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@gradusmusic/notation-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Environment variables

| Name | Required | Secret | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `GRADUS_AGENT_NAME` | no | no | Self-reported agent name sent in the X-Agent-Name header for telemetry attribution. |
| `GRADUS_NOTATION_API_BASE` | no | no | Override the API base URL. Defaults to https://gradusmusic.com. |

## Tools (13)

- `notation_render`
- `notation_validate`
- `knowledge_search`
- `notation_examples`
- `notation_schema`
- `theory_analyze_score`
- `theory_parse_xml`
- `theory_validate_ranges`
- `theory_respell`
- `theory_pitch_utils`
- `music_critique`
- `counterpoint_check`
- `corpus_search`

## FAQ

### What file formats can the notation tool output?

The notation tool can render JSON scores into inline SVG, MusicXML, and MIDI formats in a single call.

### Can the server check if a score follows engraving rules?

Yes, the Gradus Engraver tool checks MusicXML scores against a rulebook and provides findings with citable rule codes.

### Is this tool only for music education?

No, it is a general-purpose tool for any application working with music, including composition assistants, research, and MIDI pipelines.