Photoshop Control

Photoshop Control

Use this skill when the user asks Codex to edit, build, inspect, export, or automate work in local Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Beta.

Tools

Prefer the plugin MCP tools in this order:

1. photoshop_status to verify Photoshop COM is reachable and to inspect the active document.
2. photoshop_find_progids if status fails or times out, because it checks Windows registration without launching Photoshop.
3. photoshop_open_image to open a specific local image path.
4. photoshop_create_document to start a new canvas with a known size, background, and resolution.
5. photoshop_place_image to place a local image as a new positioned layer.
6. photoshop_add_text_layer for editable title, caption, label, and annotation text.
7. photoshop_layer_ops to list, select, rename, delete, show/hide, and style layers.
8. photoshop_draw_paths to create editable Photoshop paths from point data; use stroke: true only when a visible ink layer is needed.
9. photoshop_adjust_image for resize, crop, brightness, contrast, mild sharpening, and export.
10. photoshop_texture_recolor for realistic local recolors that need to preserve folds, highlights, shadows, and feathered edges.
11. photoshop_apply_overlay for prepared transparent edit layers that must be positioned precisely.
12. photoshop_batch for repeatable multi-step workflows.
13. photoshop_export_active to save a copy of the active document.
14. photoshop_run_jsx only for edits that require Photoshop ExtendScript beyond the safer tools.

Operating Notes

• This is Windows-only and depends on Photoshop exposing a COM automation ProgID.
• The bridge tries PHOTOSHOP_PROG_ID, then Photoshop.Application, recent versioned ProgIDs, and Photoshop.Application.Beta.
• If Photoshop Beta is installed but not registered for COM, ask the user for the correct ProgID or use Adobe-supported automation setup.
• Use absolute file paths for inputs and outputs.
• For destructive-looking requests, save to a new output path unless the user explicitly wants to overwrite.
• For object recoloring, avoid flat color overlays. Prefer photoshop_texture_recolor with a tight polygon mask around the object so Photoshop receives a generated layer that keeps the source texture.
• Use photoshop_apply_overlay with blendMode: "NORMAL" for explicit visible prepared layers, and blendMode: "COLOR" only when preserving original luminosity is more important than color strength.
• For line art that must remain editable, prefer photoshop_draw_paths; it creates Photoshop path objects that can be edited with path/direct-selection tools.
• For office-style repetitive work, compose a photoshop_batch plan with document setup, layer creation, image placement, text labels, and export.
• Verify exported files exist after edits when possible.

Example Requests

• "Open C:\images\hero.png in Photoshop and export a 1200px wide JPEG."
• "Increase contrast on the active Photoshop document and save a PNG copy."
• "Create a 1080p social post, place this product photo, add editable Chinese headline text, and export JPEG."
• "Draw a Fuji mountain line-art scene as editable Photoshop paths, then add a visible ink layer."
• "List layers, hide the old background, rename the AI overlay, and export a PSD copy."
• "Run this JSX against the active Photoshop document."