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Retro Diffusion Pixel Art MCP Server

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Retro Diffusion Pixel Art is answering right now. Last checked 13 min ago. It exposes 33 tools. Last commit 2 Sep 2026.

Generate authentic pixel art - sprites, animations, and tilesets - from any MCP client

Uptime history 91 days of history · worst day 99%
91 days agonow
100.0%
Uptime 24h
91 of 91 checks
33
Tools
read from the server
332 ms
Response time
average over 24h
7
Stars
last commit 2 Sep 2026

What changed 59

Every tool that appeared, vanished or quietly changed what it asks for. Recorded since 18 August 2026. No other catalogue keeps this.

31 Oct a tool description was rewritten get_balance
25 Oct 3 tool descriptions were rewritten fix_pixel_art, recolor_lowpoly_model, run_edit_tool
26 Sep 2 tools changed the parameters they ask for3 times that day estimate_lowpoly_cost, start_lowpoly_generate
26 Sep 2 tool descriptions were rewritten estimate_lowpoly_cost, start_lowpoly_generate
25 Sep 5 tools changed the parameters they ask for8 times that day estimate_lowpoly_cost, export_lowpoly_model, start_lowpoly_animate and 2 more
25 Sep 4 tools appeared delete_lowpoly_animation, recolor_lowpoly_model, start_lowpoly_rerig and 1 more
25 Sep a tool description was rewritten start_lowpoly_generate
24 Sep 9 tools appeared estimate_lowpoly_cost, export_lowpoly_model, get_lowpoly_job and 6 more
24 Sep 2 tools changed the parameters they ask for export_lowpoly_model, start_lowpoly_generate
24 Sep a tool description was rewritten export_lowpoly_model
and 29 more, back to 18 August 2026

Nothing serious here today

Today is the operative word: we check Retro Diffusion Pixel Art every 15 minutes and re-read its code on every release. Watch it and you find out the day that stops being true.

Three servers free · no card

Connect this server

Endpoint below is the one we actually reach during checks — not the one copied from a README. Last verified 13 min ago.

run in your terminal
claude mcp add pixel-art --transport http https://mcp.retrodiffusion.ai/mcp
Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector, then paste this address
https://mcp.retrodiffusion.ai/mcp
~/.codex/config.toml
[mcp_servers.pixel-art]
url = "https://mcp.retrodiffusion.ai/mcp"
.cursor/mcp.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pixel-art": {
      "url": "https://mcp.retrodiffusion.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}
.vscode/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "pixel-art": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.retrodiffusion.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Available tools 33

Read directly from the server with tools/list, grouped by what they act on. If a tool disappears, we record the date.

start
start_inference_job
Start a generation as an async job (POST /v2/inferences with async=true) and return a task_id. Recommended for advanced animations (rd_advanced_animation__*), other animation styles, and batches — they run for tens of seconds and can outlive a synchronous MCP call. Poll the returned task_id with get_inference_job roughly every 2-5 seconds.
start_lowpoly_animate
Add an animation to a Low-Poly model version, or change an existing one by passing its name as animation (paid, priced by size). The first animation rigs the model for free. Animations attach to the version; they do not create a new version. Poll get_lowpoly_job(task_id).
start_lowpoly_generate
Start building a low-poly 3D model with pixel-art textures from a prompt and/or reference images (paid). reference_models puts your existing models (by asset_id) into it exactly, e.g. "a tavern with my table". Optional input_palette (a palette image, as for create_inference): the model uses only its colors, and revisions and animations keep them. Returns task_id and asset_id immediately; poll get_lowpoly_job(task_id) until it succeeds (usually 1-5 minutes). Then use export_lowpoly_model for .glb/.bbmodel/Minecraft/OBJ files, start_lowpoly_revise to change it, or start_lowpoly_animate to add motion. Failed jobs are refunded automatically; never restart a running job.
start_lowpoly_rerig
Rebuild the skeleton of a rigged Low-Poly model version (paid, priced by size), e.g. to move a pivot or add bones. The version is updated in place; animations whose bones the new rig still has are kept. Versions without a rig are rigged for free by their first animation instead. Poll get_lowpoly_job(task_id).
start_lowpoly_revise
Change an existing Low-Poly model (paid, priced by its size). The result is saved as a new version. Poll get_lowpoly_job(task_id). One job per model at a time.
start_lowpoly_split
Break a Low-Poly model into separate models (paid, priced by its size): a desk scene becomes the desk, a candle, each book, and so on. Each piece is a new model (and history item) facing the front, with its own textures, rig and animations; the original is unchanged. Poll get_lowpoly_job(task_id); its pieces list the new models.
lowpoly
delete_lowpoly_animation
Delete one animation from a Low-Poly model's version (free) and return the model. The rig stays, so animating again needs no new rig. This cannot be undone.
get_lowpoly_job
Status of a Low-Poly job: pending, running, succeeded or failed. On success, the model with its versions, render URLs and animations. Poll every 10-20 seconds; jobs take minutes.
get_lowpoly_model
A Low-Poly model: status, versions (render URLs, animations) and any running job.
get_lowpoly_pricing
Low-Poly (3D) sizes, prices per operation (generate / revise / animate), styles, limits and export targets. Free.
list_lowpoly_models
The account's Low-Poly models, newest first.
inference
create_inference
Generate images using the public /v2/inferences endpoint. For the highest quality prefer RD Pro styles (rd_pro__*); they support reference_images for character/style consistency, and most go as small as 12x12 px (check list_available_styles for each style's limits) — a small target size is never a reason to switch to a cheaper model family. Style ids are opaque strings with no uniform format (some RD Fast styles appear as "default:rd_flux"); take them verbatim from the catalog and never infer capabilities from an id's prefix. For animation styles prefer start_inference_job + get_inference_job instead — animations are long-running, and a failed animation is worth one retry with identical parameters (failures auto-refund). Field-tested workflow rules: N distinct items = N individually usable images (separate calls or num_images=N), never one sheet/grid image unless a sheet IS the deliverable. Variants of ONE image (seasons, day/night, palettes) = generate the base once, then derive each variant with the image_edit tool ("... keep the exact same composition") — independent generations of the "same" scene come out unrelated. Converting an existing image INTO pixel art is rd_pro__pixelate with input_image (16-256 px output, batch<=16); reference_images-based generation re-imagines rather than converts. To animate an image you already have, use rd_advanced_animation__* with input_image (fixed-format rd_animation__* styles generate their own subject from the prompt instead). To get the other directional views of a sprite you already have, use rd_advanced_animation__rotate with input_image (same 8-direction layout as rd_animation__8_dir_rotation). Use `input_image` for the main source image, `reference_images` for extra per-inference guidance, and `style_reference_images` only on create_user_style/update_user_style. The response excludes raw base64 image payloads to keep MCP outputs compact.
get_inference_job
Check the status of an async generation started with start_inference_job. Statuses: pending, running, succeeded, failed. On success the result carries hosted output_urls (raw base64 payloads are excluded to keep MCP outputs compact).
get_inference_result
Retrieve retained outputs for a synchronous generation. Use the request_id returned by create_inference to recover or refresh signed output URLs. This lookup is read-only; never repeat a paid create_inference call just because delivery URLs are temporarily missing.
list_inference_jobs
List your most recent async jobs, newest first (GET /v2/inferences/tasks). Recovery path: if a submission response was lost (timeout, disconnect) before the task_id arrived, the job was still accepted — find it here instead of re-submitting and being charged twice. Then poll it with get_inference_job.
estimate
estimate_edit_tool_cost
Validate an edit-tool request and estimate its cost and duration without running it. Always free.
estimate_inference_cost
Estimate generation cost using the public /v2/inferences endpoint with check_cost=true. Use `input_image` for the main source image, `reference_images` for extra per-inference guidance, and `style_reference_images` only on create_user_style/update_user_style.
estimate_lowpoly_cost
Price a Low-Poly job without starting it (free). For generate with size auto, returns the size auto would pick. style prices a generate in that style (Lite styles cost less); other operations use the model's own style.
user
create_user_style
Create a user style from the public RD Pro template using /v2/styles. Use `style_reference_images` and `style_reference_caption` for style-level references. These are baked into the custom style and are not the same as per-inference `reference_images`.
delete_user_style
Delete a user style using /v2/styles/{style_id}. style_id can be either internal id or prompt_style/public_id.
update_user_style
Update a public RD Pro user style using /v2/styles/{style_id}. Use `style_reference_images` and `style_reference_caption` for style-level references. These are baked into the custom style and are not the same as per-inference `reference_images`.
available
list_available_models
Return unique public model identifiers available in /v2/styles/selector.
list_available_styles
List publicly available styles from /v2/styles/selector. Use this to discover valid prompt_style values plus style metadata such as require_input_image and supports_reference_images.
edit
list_edit_tools
List the enabled canvas edit tools from /v2/edit/tools with their fields, costs, and limits. Edit tools are the recommended way to post-process generated pixel art: background removal, palette conversion, color reduction, pixel correction, rotation, inpainting, outpainting, seam tiling, and prompt-driven edits.
run_edit_tool
Run a canvas edit tool on an image via /v2/edit/tools/{tool_id}. $0.001 tools (per frame for animated inputs): color_reducer, palette_converter, pixel_correction, k_centroid_downscale, rotate. $0.01 tools: background_remover, color_style_transfer. Premium ($0.18): image_edit, inpainting, outpainting, seam_tiling. Use estimate_edit_tool_cost first for anything that charges — estimation is free. The edited image is returned in base64_images.
authenticate
authenticate
Authenticate this MCP session with a RetroDiffusion public API key.
balance
get_balance
Get your balance, plan usage left (%) and API job slots in use. Reads /v2/inferences/credits plus the account usage (GET /usage). On a plan, 2 API jobs run at once on plan usage; usage.api_job_slots shows how many are busy.
export
export_lowpoly_model
Export a Low-Poly model for an engine or tool and return a hosted download URL (free). Engines (Godot, Unity, Unreal, three.js) and Blender get .glb; Blockbench gets .bbmodel; Minecraft gets a resource pack; .glb and .bbmodel include every animation. Animated GIFs, sprite sheets and MP4 videos need an animation name from the model.
fix
fix_pixel_art
Recover the native pixel grid from enlarged, softened, AI-rendered, or compressed pixel art. Standard uses the native Rust detector. Neural uses the neural reconstruction engine and accepts optional target width and height values. This repairs existing art—it does not generate a new image. Standard costs $0.002 per call and neural $0.005, charged before running and refunded automatically if the call fails. Both engines share a limit of 10 requests per minute per API token. Provide exactly one source as base64 input_image or a public HTTPS image_url. URL input avoids the ALB request-body limit. Decoded images may contain up to 16 megapixels. Successful response JSON is limited to 850,000 bytes for AWS ALB compatibility.
logout
logout
Clear the authenticated RetroDiffusion API key for this MCP session.
recolor
recolor_lowpoly_model
Recolor a Low-Poly model's textures with the image color tools and save the result as a new version (returns the model). Color Reducer and Palette Converter cost $0.001; Color Style Transfer costs $0.01. Later revisions and animations keep the new colors.
service
get_service_status
Check RetroDiffusion subsystem health (/v2/status, no auth). Useful before bulk generation runs.
style
get_style_usage
Explain how to use a public prompt_style from the RetroDiffusion API. Use this before create_inference if you are unsure whether a style expects `input_image`, supports per-inference `reference_images`, or whether you meant style-level `style_reference_images`.

Endpoints

URLTransportStateLatencyChecked
https://mcp.retrodiffusion.ai/mcp streamable-http answering 312 ms 13 min ago

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Retro Diffusion Pixel Art — questions

Answers built from our own checks of this server.

What can Retro Diffusion Pixel Art do?
It exposes 33 tools, read directly from the server on our last check. Among them: authenticate, create_inference, create_user_style, delete_lowpoly_animation, delete_user_style, estimate_edit_tool_cost and 27 more. The full list with descriptions is on this page — we take it from the server itself via tools/list, not from a README. How MCP servers expose tools in the first place →
What is Retro Diffusion Pixel Art mostly used for?
Its tools cluster around start, lowpoly and inference. That is what this server is built to work with — the grouping comes from the actual tool names, not from a category we assigned.
Is Retro Diffusion Pixel Art working right now?
We send a real MCP handshake every 15 minutes. Over the last 24 hours 91 of 91 checks got a reply (100.0%), average response time 332 ms. The bar chart above shows every period we have measured.
How do I connect Retro Diffusion Pixel Art?
Copy the ready config from this page. We generate it for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Codex, Cursor and VS Code, each in the form that client actually reads. It is a remote server, so there is nothing to install — the client connects to the address.
Does Retro Diffusion Pixel Art need an API key?
No. Retro Diffusion Pixel Art completed a full MCP handshake with us as an anonymous client and listed its tools without asking for anything. All 33 of them are readable on this page. This is what we observed, not what the docs claim.
How fast is Retro Diffusion Pixel Art?
It answers our handshake in 332 ms on average, which is faster than 43% of all working MCP servers we measure. The comparison comes from our own checks across the whole registry, every 15 minutes.
Is Retro Diffusion Pixel Art open source?
The code is open source: it is published under the MIT licence and 7 stars on GitHub. The licence covers the code in the repository, not the hosted service at mcp.retrodiffusion.ai, which runs on its operator's own terms.