unity-mcp/docs/CUSTOM_TOOLS.md

Adding Custom Tools to MCP for Unity

MCP for Unity supports auto-discovery of custom tools using decorators (Python) and attributes (C#). This allows you to easily extend the MCP server with your own tools.

Be sure to review the developer README first:

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Part 1: How to Use (Quick Start Guide)

This section shows you how to add custom tools to your Unity project.

Step 1: Create a PythonToolsAsset

First, create a ScriptableObject to manage your Python tools:

1. In Unity, right-click in the Project window
2. Select Assets > Create > MCP For Unity > Python Tools
3. Name it (e.g., MyPythonTools)

Step 2: Create Your Python Tool File

Create a Python file anywhere in your Unity project. For example, Assets/Editor/MyTools/my_custom_tool.py:

from typing import Annotated, Any
from mcp.server.fastmcp import Context
from registry import mcp_for_unity_tool
from unity_connection import send_command_with_retry

@mcp_for_unity_tool(
    description="My custom tool that does something amazing"
)
async def my_custom_tool(
    ctx: Context,
    param1: Annotated[str, "Description of param1"],
    param2: Annotated[int, "Description of param2"] | None = None
) -> dict[str, Any]:
    await ctx.info(f"Processing my_custom_tool: {param1}")

    # Prepare parameters for Unity
    params = {
        "action": "do_something",
        "param1": param1,
        "param2": param2,
    }
    params = {k: v for k, v in params.items() if v is not None}

    # Send to Unity handler
    response = send_command_with_retry("my_custom_tool", params)
    return response if isinstance(response, dict) else {"success": False, "message": str(response)}

Step 3: Add Python File to Asset

1. Select your PythonToolsAsset in the Project window
2. In the Inspector, expand Python Files
3. Drag your .py file into the list (or click + and select it)

Note: If you can't see .py files in the object picker, go to Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Reimport Python Files to force Unity to recognize them as text assets.

Step 4: Create C# Handler

Create a C# file anywhere in your Unity project (typically in Editor/):

using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;

namespace MyProject.Editor.CustomTools
{
    [McpForUnityTool("my_custom_tool")]
    public static class MyCustomTool
    {
        public static object HandleCommand(JObject @params)
        {
            string action = @params["action"]?.ToString();
            string param1 = @params["param1"]?.ToString();
            int? param2 = @params["param2"]?.ToObject<int?>();

            // Your custom logic here
            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(param1))
            {
                return Response.Error("param1 is required");
            }

            // Do something amazing
            DoSomethingAmazing(param1, param2);

            return Response.Success("Custom tool executed successfully!");
        }

        private static void DoSomethingAmazing(string param1, int? param2)
        {
            // Your implementation
        }
    }
}

Step 5: Rebuild the MCP Server

1. Open the MCP for Unity window in the Unity Editor
2. Click Rebuild Server to apply your changes
3. Your tool is now available to MCP clients!

What happens automatically:

• ✅ Python files are synced to the MCP server on Unity startup
• ✅ Python files are synced when modified (you would need to rebuild the server)
• ✅ C# handlers are discovered via reflection
• ✅ Tools are registered with the MCP server

Complete Example: Screenshot Tool

Here's a complete example showing how to create a screenshot capture tool.

Python File (Assets/Editor/ScreenShots/Python/screenshot_tool.py)

from typing import Annotated, Any

from mcp.server.fastmcp import Context

from registry import mcp_for_unity_tool
from unity_connection import send_command_with_retry


@mcp_for_unity_tool(
    description="Capture screenshots in Unity, saving them as PNGs"
)
async def capture_screenshot(
    ctx: Context,
    filename: Annotated[str, "Screenshot filename without extension, e.g., screenshot_01"],
) -> dict[str, Any]:
    await ctx.info(f"Capturing screenshot: {filename}")

    params = {
        "action": "capture",
        "filename": filename,
    }
    params = {k: v for k, v in params.items() if v is not None}

    response = send_command_with_retry("capture_screenshot", params)
    return response if isinstance(response, dict) else {"success": False, "message": str(response)}

Add to PythonToolsAsset

1. Select your PythonToolsAsset
2. Add screenshot_tool.py to the Python Files list
3. The file will automatically sync to the MCP server

C# Handler (Assets/Editor/ScreenShots/CaptureScreenshotTool.cs)

using System.IO;
using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
using UnityEngine;
using MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools;

namespace MyProject.Editor.Tools
{
    [McpForUnityTool("capture_screenshot")]
    public static class CaptureScreenshotTool
    {
        public static object HandleCommand(JObject @params)
        {
            string filename = @params["filename"]?.ToString();

            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filename))
            {
                return MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers.Response.Error("filename is required");
            }

            try
            {
                string absolutePath = Path.Combine(Application.dataPath, "Screenshots", filename);
                Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(absolutePath));

                // Find the main camera
                Camera camera = Camera.main;
                if (camera == null)
                {
                    camera = Object.FindFirstObjectByType<Camera>();
                }

                if (camera == null)
                {
                    return MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers.Response.Error("No camera found in the scene");
                }

                // Create a RenderTexture
                RenderTexture rt = new RenderTexture(Screen.width, Screen.height, 24);
                camera.targetTexture = rt;

                // Render the camera's view
                camera.Render();

                // Read pixels from the RenderTexture
                RenderTexture.active = rt;
                Texture2D screenshot = new Texture2D(Screen.width, Screen.height, TextureFormat.RGB24, false);
                screenshot.ReadPixels(new Rect(0, 0, Screen.width, Screen.height), 0, 0);
                screenshot.Apply();

                // Clean up
                camera.targetTexture = null;
                RenderTexture.active = null;
                Object.DestroyImmediate(rt);

                // Save to file
                byte[] bytes = screenshot.EncodeToPNG();
                File.WriteAllBytes(absolutePath, bytes);
                Object.DestroyImmediate(screenshot);

                return MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers.Response.Success($"Screenshot saved to {absolutePath}", new
                {
                    path = absolutePath,
                });
            }
            catch (System.Exception ex)
            {
                return MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers.Response.Error($"Failed to capture screenshot: {ex.Message}");
            }
        }
    }
}

Rebuild and Test

1. Open the MCP for Unity window
2. Click Rebuild Server
3. Test your tool from your MCP client!

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Part 2: How It Works (Technical Details)

This section explains the technical implementation of the custom tools system.

Python Side: Decorator System

The @mcp_for_unity_tool Decorator

The decorator automatically registers your function as an MCP tool:

@mcp_for_unity_tool(
    name="custom_name",          # Optional: function name used by default
    description="Tool description",  # Required: describe what the tool does
)

How it works:

• Auto-generates the tool name from the function name (e.g., my_custom_tool)
• Registers the tool with FastMCP during module import
• Supports all FastMCP mcp.tool decorator options: https://gofastmcp.com/servers/tools#tools

Note: All tools should have the description field. It's not strictly required, however, that parameter is the best place to define a description so that most MCP clients can read it. See issue #289.

Auto-Discovery

Python tools are automatically discovered when:

• The Python file is added to a PythonToolsAsset
• The file is synced to MCPForUnity/UnityMcpServer~/src/tools/custom/
• The file is imported during server startup
• The decorator @mcp_for_unity_tool is used

Sync System

The PythonToolsAsset system automatically syncs your Python files:

When sync happens:

• ✅ Unity starts up
• ✅ Python files are modified
• ✅ Python files are added/removed from the asset

Manual controls:

• Sync Now: Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Sync Python Tools
• Toggle Auto-Sync: Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Auto-Sync Python Tools
• Reimport Python Files: Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Reimport Python Files

How it works:

• Uses content hashing to detect changes (only syncs modified files)
• Files are copied to MCPForUnity/UnityMcpServer~/src/tools/custom/
• Stale files are automatically cleaned up

C# Side: Attribute System

The [McpForUnityTool] Attribute

The attribute marks your class as a tool handler:

// Explicit command name
[McpForUnityTool("my_custom_tool")]
public static class MyCustomTool { }

// Auto-generated from class name (MyCustomTool → my_custom_tool)
[McpForUnityTool]
public static class MyCustomTool { }

Auto-Discovery

C# handlers are automatically discovered when:

• The class has the [McpForUnityTool] attribute
• The class has a public static HandleCommand(JObject) method
• Unity loads the assembly containing the class

How it works:

• Unity scans all assemblies on startup
• Finds classes with [McpForUnityTool] attribute
• Registers them in the command registry
• Routes MCP commands to the appropriate handler

Best Practices

Python

• ✅ Use type hints with Annotated for parameter documentation
• ✅ Return dict[str, Any] with {"success": bool, "message": str, "data": Any}
• ✅ Use ctx.info() for logging
• ✅ Handle errors gracefully and return structured error responses
• ✅ Use send_command_with_retry() for Unity communication

C#

• ✅ Use the Response.Success() and Response.Error() helper methods
• ✅ Validate input parameters before processing
• ✅ Use @params["key"]?.ToObject<Type>() for safe type conversion
• ✅ Return structured responses with meaningful data
• ✅ Handle exceptions and return error responses

Debugging

Python

• Check server logs: ~/Library/Application Support/UnityMCP/Logs/unity_mcp_server.log
• Look for: "Registered X MCP tools" message on startup
• Use ctx.info() for debugging messages

C#

• Check Unity Console for: "MCP-FOR-UNITY: Auto-discovered X tools" message
• Look for warnings about missing HandleCommand methods
• Use Debug.Log() in your handler for debugging

Troubleshooting

Tool not appearing:

• Python:
  • Ensure the .py file is added to a PythonToolsAsset
  • Check Unity Console for sync messages: "Python tools synced: X copied"
  • Verify file was synced to UnityMcpServer~/src/tools/custom/
  • Try manual sync: Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Sync Python Tools
  • Rebuild the server in the MCP for Unity window
• C#:
  • Ensure the class has [McpForUnityTool] attribute
  • Ensure the class has a public static HandleCommand(JObject) method
  • Check Unity Console for: "MCP-FOR-UNITY: Auto-discovered X tools"

Python files not showing in Inspector:

• Go to Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Reimport Python Files
• This forces Unity to recognize .py files as TextAssets
• Check that .py.meta files show ScriptedImporter (not DefaultImporter)

Sync not working:

• Check if auto-sync is enabled: Window > MCP For Unity > Tool Sync > Auto-Sync Python Tools
• Look for errors in Unity Console
• Verify PythonToolsAsset has the correct files added

Name conflicts:

• Use explicit names in decorators/attributes to avoid conflicts
• Check registered tools: CommandRegistry.GetAllCommandNames() in C#

Tool not being called:

• Verify the command name matches between Python and C#
• Check that parameters are being passed correctly
• Look for errors in logs