MCP Preflight
Read This Before Any ImageKit MCP Call
You have access to two ImageKit MCP servers. Each serves a different purpose. Calling the wrong server or the wrong tool wastes tokens and produces errors. This skill is your routing table.
Server Map
imagekit_api — Authenticated API Server
Prefix: mcp_imagekit_api_*
Two tools only:
| Tool |
Purpose |
search_doc |
Local search that only searches TypeScript SDK code — use to find method signatures and types |
execute |
Executes TypeScript code against the ImageKit SDK to perform CRUD operations |
All CRUD operations are performed by writing TypeScript code that runs via execute:
- List, search, get details of files
- Delete, move, copy, rename files
- Create, delete, move, copy folders
- Bulk tag/untag operations
- File versions (list, restore, delete)
- Custom metadata fields (CRUD)
- Cache invalidation (purge)
- URL endpoints and origins management
- Account usage stats
imagekit_devtools — Public Tools Server
Prefix: mcp_imagekit_devtools_*
Two tools only — no auth required:
| Tool |
Purpose |
search_docs |
RAG-powered search across ImageKit docs, guides, API refs, SDKs, community posts |
transformation_builder |
Builds transformation URLs from natural language descriptions |
Routing Table
| Need |
Route To |
| List, delete, move, copy files |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) |
| Folder operations |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) |
| File metadata, tags, custom fields |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) |
| Bulk operations |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) |
| Cache purge |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) |
| URL endpoints, origins |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) |
| Find SDK method signatures/types |
mcp_imagekit_api_search_doc |
| Upload files |
Use mcp_imagekit_api_execute with client.files.upload() — only URL-based uploads work; local files cannot be passed. Read the upload-files skill first. |
| How to do something in ImageKit |
mcp_imagekit_devtools_search_docs |
| Build a transformation URL |
mcp_imagekit_devtools_transformation_builder |
| Find SDK usage or API parameters |
mcp_imagekit_devtools_search_docs |
| Verify feature exists or find limits |
mcp_imagekit_devtools_search_docs |
| Search / filter / list assets |
mcp_imagekit_api_execute (write TS code) — read search-assets skill first |
| Integrate ImageKit into a framework/SDK/CMS |
read imagekit-integrations skill first |
Searching / Filtering Assets
When listing assets with client.assets.list, filter on the server instead of fetching everything and filtering in code. Read the search-assets skill first — it is the canonical reference for the Lucene-like searchQuery syntax, when to use top-level params vs a searchQuery, and how to narrow the returned File/Folder results.
Integration Use Cases
When the task is to integrate ImageKit into a specific technology (front-end, back-end, mobile, CMS, external storage, upload widgets, URL generation, etc.), read the imagekit-integrations skill to find the right SDK/plugin and what it covers before writing code.
Before Calling imagekit_api
Use the imagekit-sdk-reference skill before constructing any TypeScript code that calls mcp_imagekit_api_* tools. That skill provides complete SDK method signatures, parameters, return types, error handling patterns, and examples to ensure correct API calls and proper data handling.
Critical Rules
- Uploads are URL-only —
client.files.upload() via mcp_imagekit_api_execute only accepts a public URL string. Local files cannot be uploaded (no file bytes, streams, or Buffers). Read the upload-files skill first.
- ALWAYS call
search_docs before writing any ImageKit SDK code — do not rely on training data for method signatures or parameters.
- Do NOT read library source code to figure out usage —
search_docs returns official docs and working examples. Only read source code as a last resort when docs fail.
- Use
transformation_builder instead of hand-crafting transformation URLs — it knows correct parameter syntax and ordering.
- Filter
client.assets.list server-side, not in code — read the search-assets skill for how to choose between top-level params and a searchQuery.
1---2name: mcp-preflight3description: Routing guide for ImageKit's two MCP servers (imagekit_api and imagekit_devtools) — maps each capability to the correct server and tool, and covers the routing rules (e.g. never upload local files via execute). Use before calling any ImageKit MCP tool. Covers file management, folder ops, cache purge, metadata, docs search, transformation building, and upload routing.4---56# MCP Preflight78## Read This Before Any ImageKit MCP Call910You have access to two ImageKit MCP servers. Each serves a different purpose. Calling the wrong server or the wrong tool wastes tokens and produces errors. This skill is your routing table.1112## Server Map1314### `imagekit_api` — Authenticated API Server1516Prefix: `mcp_imagekit_api_*`1718Two tools only:1920| Tool | Purpose |21|------|----------|22| `search_doc` | Local search that only searches TypeScript SDK code — use to find method signatures and types |23| `execute` | Executes TypeScript code against the ImageKit SDK to perform CRUD operations |2425All CRUD operations are performed by writing TypeScript code that runs via `execute`:2627- List, search, get details of files28- Delete, move, copy, rename files29- Create, delete, move, copy folders30- Bulk tag/untag operations31- File versions (list, restore, delete)32- Custom metadata fields (CRUD)33- Cache invalidation (purge)34- URL endpoints and origins management35- Account usage stats3637### `imagekit_devtools` — Public Tools Server3839Prefix: `mcp_imagekit_devtools_*`4041Two tools only — no auth required:4243| Tool | Purpose |44|------|---------|45| `search_docs` | RAG-powered search across ImageKit docs, guides, API refs, SDKs, community posts |46| `transformation_builder` | Builds transformation URLs from natural language descriptions |4748## Routing Table4950| Need | Route To |51|------|----------|52| List, delete, move, copy files | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) |53| Folder operations | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) |54| File metadata, tags, custom fields | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) |55| Bulk operations | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) |56| Cache purge | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) |57| URL endpoints, origins | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) |58| Find SDK method signatures/types | `mcp_imagekit_api_search_doc` |59| **Upload files** | Use `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` with `client.files.upload()` — **only URL-based uploads work; local files cannot be passed**. Read the `upload-files` skill first. |60| How to do something in ImageKit | `mcp_imagekit_devtools_search_docs` |61| Build a transformation URL | `mcp_imagekit_devtools_transformation_builder` |62| Find SDK usage or API parameters | `mcp_imagekit_devtools_search_docs` |63| Verify feature exists or find limits | `mcp_imagekit_devtools_search_docs` |64| Search / filter / list assets | `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` (write TS code) — read `search-assets` skill first |65| Integrate ImageKit into a framework/SDK/CMS | read `imagekit-integrations` skill first |6667## Searching / Filtering Assets6869When listing assets with `client.assets.list`, **filter on the server** instead of fetching everything and filtering in code. **Read the `search-assets` skill first** — it is the canonical reference for the Lucene-like `searchQuery` syntax, when to use top-level params vs a `searchQuery`, and how to narrow the returned `File`/`Folder` results.7071## Integration Use Cases7273When the task is to integrate ImageKit into a specific technology (front-end, back-end, mobile, CMS, external storage, upload widgets, URL generation, etc.), **read the `imagekit-integrations` skill** to find the right SDK/plugin and what it covers before writing code.7475## Before Calling imagekit_api7677**Use the `imagekit-sdk-reference` skill** before constructing any TypeScript code that calls `mcp_imagekit_api_*` tools. That skill provides complete SDK method signatures, parameters, return types, error handling patterns, and examples to ensure correct API calls and proper data handling.7879## Critical Rules80811. **Uploads are URL-only** — `client.files.upload()` via `mcp_imagekit_api_execute` only accepts a public URL string. **Local files cannot be uploaded** (no file bytes, streams, or Buffers). Read the `upload-files` skill first.822. **ALWAYS call `search_docs` before writing any ImageKit SDK code** — do not rely on training data for method signatures or parameters.833. **Do NOT read library source code to figure out usage** — `search_docs` returns official docs and working examples. Only read source code as a last resort when docs fail.844. **Use `transformation_builder` instead of hand-crafting transformation URLs** — it knows correct parameter syntax and ordering.855. **Filter `client.assets.list` server-side, not in code** — read the `search-assets` skill for how to choose between top-level params and a `searchQuery`.
imagekit-developer