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Photoshop

sfkislev/flue

Control Adobe Photoshop from the shell via Flue ExtendScript bridges.

What is Photoshop?

This skill enables a coding agent to operate Adobe Photoshop on the desktop through Flue, a local shell-to-application bridge that pipes ExtendScript commands and returns structured JSON results. Use it when you need to inspect documents, manage layers, modify selections, or perform bounded edits inside Photoshop.

  • Inspect open Photoshop documents and their layer structure
  • Query and modify layer properties and selections
  • Execute ExtendScript commands and receive JSON-structured results
  • Bridge shell commands to Photoshop without requiring an MCP server
  • Support for non-destructive, inspectable editing workflows

How to install Photoshop

npx skills add null --skill photoshop
Prerequisites
  • Flue installed via pip (pip install flue)
  • Flue setup completed (flue setup)
  • Adobe Photoshop installed and running on the desktop
  • Read FLUE.md and photoshop_adapter/APP.md for operational details
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How to use Photoshop

  1. 1.Verify Flue is installed and Photoshop is running
  2. 2.Compose an ExtendScript command for your task
  3. 3.Pipe the ExtendScript to photoshop_bridge.py via stdin
  4. 4.Parse the returned JSON result from stdout
  5. 5.Inspect results before proceeding with additional steps

Use cases

Good for
  • Automate layer organization and batch property updates in open documents
  • Programmatically extract document metadata and layer information
  • Apply targeted edits to selections or specific layers via script
  • Integrate Photoshop operations into larger shell-based automation workflows
  • Inspect document state before performing complex multi-step edits
Who it's for
  • Coding agents automating Photoshop workflows
  • Developers building shell-based design automation
  • Teams performing batch document processing
  • Users integrating Photoshop into broader scripting pipelines

Photoshop FAQ

Do I need an MCP server to use this skill?

No. Flue is a local shell-to-application bridge that works directly via stdin/stdout without requiring a separate MCP server.

What happens if Flue is not installed?

The skill will detect this and inform you. Installation requires explicit approval: run 'pip install flue && flue setup' with the human's consent.

Can this skill work with other Adobe apps?

Yes. Flue supports Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, InDesign, and Audition through the same contract. A single Flue install covers all adapters.

What safety considerations apply?

Flue operates inside professional software. Prefer small, inspectable steps and avoid destructive actions unless explicitly requested. Flue is MIT-licensed and reviewable on GitHub.

How do I know what ExtendScript commands are available?

Refer to photoshop_adapter/APP.md in the Flue installation for the operational contract and available commands.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from sfkislev/flue.


name: Photoshop description: Control Adobe Photoshop from the shell via Flue - ExtendScript bridges without an MCP server.

This skill lets a coding agent operate Adobe Photoshop on the desktop through Flue, a local shell-to-application bridge. The agent pipes ExtendScript into photoshop_bridge.py and gets structured JSON back.

agent shell -> photoshop_bridge.py -> ExtendScript -> JSON result

When to use

The human requests work performed inside Photoshop — inspect the open document, layers, selection; make bounded edits; run small ExtendScript steps. A CLI agent cannot act inside Photoshop without a bridge like Flue.

How to proceed

  1. Read FLUE.md in this directory first. It explains how Flue works, the bridge contract, a worked ExtendScript example, and safety expectations.
  2. If Flue is installed: also read C:\Users\fredd\.claude\skills\flue\SKILL.md and adapters/photoshop_adapter/APP.md for the operational contract, then work from there.
  3. If Flue is not installed: tell the human. The install command is pip install flue && flue setup. Do not install without explicit approval in the current session.

Other apps

Flue also supports Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, InDesign, Audition, Blender, Houdini, 3ds Max, Unity, and Microsoft Office through the same stdin/stdout contract. One install covers all adapters.

Safety

Flue acts inside professional desktop software. Treat the human as the driver; prefer small, inspectable steps; avoid destructive actions unless explicitly requested. Flue is MIT-licensed and reviewable on GitHub / PyPI before use.