Here's what this gets you: the free, open-source rebuilds of Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, After Effects and Acrobat from the ArtCraft team, downloaded from the real place and checked, and PhotoCraft (their Photoshop) hooked up to Claude Code, so you ask for an edit in plain English and the file shows up in a folder.
I'm watching these because I want to own the tools we run on instead of renting them. But they're early, and the team says so on every page. When we tried PhotoCraft, the relight filter blew our picture out like a flashbang. So this guide is the safe way in: the official downloads, a checksum check so you know the file is the real one, a folder Claude can't wander out of, and the list of what still breaks.
Start here: paste this into Claude Code
If you already have Claude Code, this is the easy way: open a terminal, make the folder, start Claude in it, and paste the prompt. It walks you through the safe download, the checksum check, the install and the connection, one step at a time, and stops before anything costs money or overwrites a file. No Claude Code yet? Start with step 1 of “Connect PhotoCraft to Claude Code” below.
mkdir -p ~/photocraft-work/in ~/photocraft-work/out
cd ~/photocraft-work
claudeHi Claude. Please be my patient setup helper. I run a business and I'm not technical, so go one step at a time, tell me exactly what to type or click, and wait for me to say done before the next step.
Goal: install PhotoCraft (a free, open-source image editor from the ArtCraft team, built to work like Photoshop) and its command-line tool, check that my download is the real one, and connect it to you over MCP so you can edit images in one folder for me. Follow this guide; it's the source of truth for every command:
https://receiptsgroup.com/guides/photocraft-claude-code
Words you'll use, explain them to me the first time: terminal, command-line tool (CLI), checksum, MCP, headless.
Steps:
1. Ask me what computer I'm on: Mac, Windows or Linux.
2. Send me to the official download page only: https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/releases/latest (or getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft). Tell me exactly which files to download for my computer, including SHA256SUMS.txt, and on a Mac the separate photocraft-cli zip.
3. Help me check each file's SHA-256 checksum against SHA256SUMS.txt, using the guide's commands. If one doesn't match, stop and tell me to delete it.
4. Help me install the app and put photocraft-cli where my terminal can find it. Then run: photocraft-cli --version
5. Check that Claude Code is installed (claude --version). If it isn't, stop: Claude Code needs a paid Claude plan, and I decide on that, not you.
6. Make my work folder, photocraft-work, with an in folder and an out folder inside it. Write CLAUDE.md there from the guide's box.
7. Connect PhotoCraft with the guide's claude mcp add command, run from inside photocraft-work: it may read photocraft-work and write only to photocraft-work/out. Check it with: claude mcp list. Then tell me how to restart you inside that folder.
8. First test: I'll put a copy of one photo in the in folder (never a customer's photo). Make an inverted copy in out with the command-line tool, then do it again through the PhotoCraft tools, and tell me where both files are.
Rules: Download only from github.com/storytold or getartcraft.com, never from another site, repo or zip someone posted. Never change the files in in/: work on a copy and write only to out/. Before you edit more than one file, show me the plan and wait for my yes. This is early alpha software: if a filter makes the picture look wrong, tell me instead of piling more filters on it. Never print or ask for any key, token or password.
House rules for this setup:
- If you use a technical word, explain it in plain English the first time.
- Ask me before you assume anything about my business, my accounts or my setup.
- Stop and check with me before anything that costs money or spends credits.
- Stop and check with me before anything that sends, posts or publishes to real people.
- Stop and check with me before you delete or overwrite anything.How the pieces connect
This is the manual way: every step and every command. Claude follows it too.
- 1Your askYou, typing into Claude Code inside ~/photocraft-work→ “sharpen this photo and save it to out”
- 2The planClaude Code, following your CLAUDE.md rules→ the PhotoCraft commands to run, found with command_list
- 3The editphotocraft-cli mcp: PhotoCraft's MCP server, headless (no window)→ the commands run on a copy of your image
- 4The fileReads ~/photocraft-work, writes only to ~/photocraft-work/out→ out/<new name>.png and a preview
Words you'll see
- Clean-room: built from public specs and from watching how the original behaves, never from the original's code. That's how ArtCraft says it built these.
- Early alpha: the first rough versions. Things are missing and things break.
- Checksum (SHA-256): a long fingerprint of a file. If yours matches the one the team published, your download is the real file, untouched.
- CLI: a command-line tool. PhotoCraft's is
photocraft-cli. - MCP: the standard way an AI app like Claude Code talks to another program and uses its tools.
- Headless: the program runs without opening its window.
- Read root / write root: the only folders PhotoCraft's MCP server may read from and write to. Anything outside them is refused.
The apps, and what's real today
These all come from the ArtCraft team on GitHub (the storytold account). Each one says which Adobe app it measures itself against, and each one says it's early. Here's the line-up from the video plus the two extras:
| App | Built to match | Status on getartcraft.com | Official download |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhotoCraft | Photoshop | Early alpha | github.com/storytold/photocraft/releases |
| FilmCraft | Premiere Pro | In development (its repo says alpha) | github.com/storytold/filmcraft/releases |
| VectorCraft | Illustrator | In development (its repo says alpha) | github.com/storytold/vectorcraft/releases |
| EffectCraft | After Effects | In development (its repo says alpha) | github.com/storytold/effectcraft/releases |
| PdfCraft | Acrobat Pro | Early alpha | github.com/storytold/pdfcraft/releases |
| LightCraft | A photo library and raw developer | In development | github.com/storytold/lightcraft/releases |
| DesignCraft | Page layout and publishing | In development | github.com/storytold/designcraft/releases |
Want all of them at once? The ArtCraft Launcher (github.com/storytold/craft-launcher/releases) lists every app in the suite, installs the right build for your computer, checks it against the release's SHA-256 checksums, and tells you when there's an update. It's early alpha too.
Claude's name on the code: open PhotoCraft's commit history and look at the bottom of the messages. When we checked on 2026-10-31, 39 of the latest 100 commits ended with a Co-Authored-By: Claude line.
Download PhotoCraft and check it's the real file
Open the latest release
Wheregithub.com/storytold/photocraft/releases/latest (or the Download button on getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft)New versions come out every few days (v0.18.0 shipped on 2026-10-31), so always take the newest. In the file names below,
<version>is that number, like0.18.0.Download the files for your computer
- Mac:
photocraft-<version>-macos-universal.dmg(the app) andphotocraft-cli-<version>-macos-universal.zip(the command-line tool; the Mac app doesn't include it). - Windows (most PCs):
photocraft-<version>-windows-x64.msi. ARM laptops take thearm64one. The command-line tool comes inside. - Linux (Debian or Ubuntu):
photocraft-<version>-linux-x86_64.deb. It puts the command-line tool at/usr/bin/photocraft-cli. - Everyone:
SHA256SUMS.txt, the list of checksums.
- Mac:
Check the checksum
Run the first line, then find the same file in the second line's output. The two long strings of letters and numbers must be exactly the same. If they're not, delete the file and download it again from the official page.
cd ~/Downloads shasum -a 256 photocraft-<version>-macos-universal.dmg photocraft-cli-<version>-macos-universal.zip grep macos-universal SHA256SUMS.txtcd $HOME\Downloads (Get-FileHash .\photocraft-<version>-windows-x64.msi -Algorithm SHA256).Hash.ToLower() Select-String "windows-x64.msi" .\SHA256SUMS.txtcd ~/Downloads sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS.txt --ignore-missingInstall the app
Mac: open the
.dmgand install it the way its window shows you. It's signed and notarized, which means Apple checked it. Windows: run the.msi. By default it installs for your account only, into%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\ArtCraft\PhotoCraft. Linux: install the.debas below.cd ~/Downloads sudo apt install ./photocraft-<version>-linux-x86_64.deb photocraft-cli --versionMac only: put the command-line tool where your terminal finds it
The
spctlline asks macOS whether Apple notarized the tool. You want to seeaccepted, source=Notarized Developer ID. A bare tool can't carry Apple's ticket inside it, so the first run checks online and can take a moment. If you installed Claude Code with its own installer,~/.local/binis already where your terminal looks.cd ~/Downloads ditto -x -k photocraft-cli-<version>-macos-universal.zip . spctl --assess --type install -vv photocraft-cli-<version>-macos-universal/photocraft-cli mkdir -p ~/.local/bin mv photocraft-cli-<version>-macos-universal/photocraft-cli ~/.local/bin/ photocraft-cli --version
Connect PhotoCraft to Claude Code
Install Claude Code
Skip this if
claude --versionalready prints a version. Claude Code needs a paid plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise); the free Claude plan doesn't include it. Open a new terminal window after installing, then runclaudeonce to log in.curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash # open a NEW terminal window, then: claude --versionirm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex # open a NEW PowerShell window, then: claude --versionMake the work folder
inholds your originals,outholds everything Claude makes. Put copies of photos inin, never the only copy.mkdir -p ~/photocraft-work/in ~/photocraft-work/out cd ~/photocraft-workmkdir $HOME\photocraft-work\in, $HOME\photocraft-work\out cd $HOME\photocraft-workWrite CLAUDE.md: the rules Claude follows every time
Claude Code reads this file at the start of every session in this folder. It's what keeps it in
out, on a copy, and asking before a batch.# My PhotoCraft folder You edit images here with PhotoCraft, over its MCP server (the photocraft tools) or with photocraft-cli. ## Folders - in/ the originals. Read them, never change them. - out/ everything you make goes here, and only here. ## Every edit 1. Find the right command first: command_list with a filter word (or photocraft-cli commands --filter <word>). Never guess a command id or its params. 2. Work on a copy: duplicate the document (image.duplicate) before trying anything. 3. Save to out/ with a new name. Never overwrite a file. 4. Show me a preview (render_preview) and tell me the file name when it's done. ## Batches - Before you edit more than one file, show me the list of files and the steps, and wait for my yes. - Do the first file only, show me, then the rest after my yes. Stop on the first error. ## Never - Never write outside out/, and never change anything in in/. - Never use a customer's photo unless I say it's cleared. - PhotoCraft is early alpha: if a result looks wrong, stop and tell me.Add PhotoCraft as an MCP server
Run this from inside
photocraft-work. Everything after the--is the command Claude Code starts: PhotoCraft's MCP server, allowed to read your work folder and write only toout. Use full folder paths:$HOMEfills in your home folder for you. This adds it for this folder only (Claude Code's default, the local scope).cd ~/photocraft-work claude mcp add photocraft -- photocraft-cli mcp --automation-read-root "$HOME/photocraft-work" --automation-write-root "$HOME/photocraft-work/out"cd $HOME\photocraft-work claude mcp add photocraft -- "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Programs\ArtCraft\PhotoCraft\photocraft-cli.exe" mcp --automation-read-root "$HOME\photocraft-work" --automation-write-root "$HOME\photocraft-work\out"PermissionsPhotoCraft can read any file under the read folder and create image files under the write folder. It refuses to replace anything that isn't an image or document file, so it can't overwrite your code or settings, but keep the folders small anyway.Check it's connected
claude mcp listshould showphotocraftwith✔ Connected. Then start Claude in the folder and type/mcpto see it from the inside.claude mcp list claude
First test: an inverted copy (free)
Copy any photo of yours into in and name it test.png (a PNG or JPEG is fine; change the name in the commands if it's a .jpg). First the command-line tool on its own, so you know PhotoCraft works:
photocraft-cli --version
photocraft-cli info in/test.png
photocraft-cli commands --filter invert
photocraft-cli run in/test.png --cmd image.adjustments.invert --out out/test-inverted.pnginfo prints the picture's size and layers, commands --filter finds command names (this is how you never guess one), and run makes an inverted copy in out. Your original stays as it was: PhotoCraft refuses to write over the file it opened unless you add --in-place, and you won't. Now the same thing through Claude:
Use the photocraft tools. Open in/test.png, duplicate it, invert the copy (find the command with command_list first), save it to out/test-inverted-mcp.png and show me a preview. Don't change in/test.png.Good: two inverted copies in out, a preview in the chat, and in/test.png untouched. Bad: Claude says it has no PhotoCraft tools (check claude mcp list and that you started claude inside photocraft-work), or a save is refused (it tried to write outside out, which is the folder rule doing its job).
Real use: prompts for real jobs
Sharpen in/<photo>.jpg on a duplicate with smart sharpen (filter.sharpen.smartSharpen; check its params with command_list first), amount 80. Save to out/<photo>-sharp.png and show me a before and after preview.in/logo.png is a transparent PNG. Find the bevel and emboss layer style with command_list, apply it to a duplicate with soft settings, save out/logo-raised.png and show me. Try one setting, not ten.Open in/<file>.psd and tell me what's in it: size, every layer and group by name, which ones have masks, and any missing fonts. Don't change or save anything.For every image in in/, I want <the edit>. First show me the list of files and the exact commands you'll run. After my yes, do the first one only and show me. After my second yes, do the rest, save each to out/ with the same name, and stop on the first error.Without Claude, the command-line tool has its own batch: photocraft-cli batch --actions steps.json --in ./in --out ./out, where steps.json is a list of [command, params] pairs. It refuses to use the same folder for in and out, so it can't overwrite your originals.
What it costs
| Tool | Plan | Monthly, list price |
|---|---|---|
| PhotoCraft, FilmCraft, VectorCraft, EffectCraft, PdfCraft, LightCraft, DesignCraft | Free, open source | $0 |
| ArtCraft Launcher | Free, open source | $0 |
| Claude Code | Claude Pro, billed monthly | $20 ($17 a month billed yearly, $200 up front) |
| Total | Monthly billing | $20 |
PhotoCraft runs on your own computer, so there's no per-edit charge and no credits. The only paid piece is the Claude plan, and you'd only need it for the Claude Code part. The apps work fine on their own.
When it breaks
The relight filter blows the picture out
filter.render.relight, on an earlier version), it blew our picture out at every setting, like a flashbang. Skip it, or try it on a duplicate in a newer version and judge the preview before you save. Alpha filters get fixed release to release.photocraft-cli: command not found
~/.local/bin and open a new terminal window. Linux: install the .deb or .rpm, which put it in /usr/bin. Windows: it isn't on your PATH, so use the full path, %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\ArtCraft\PhotoCraft\photocraft-cli.exe.claude mcp list says ✘ Failed to connect, or ENOENT / “Executable not found”
photocraft-cli. Remove it with claude mcp remove photocraft and add it again with the tool's full path instead of the bare name (no ~ in it).Claude says it has no PhotoCraft tools
photocraft-work, so start claude from inside that folder. Type /mcp to check.A save or an open is refused
photocraft-work and writes under out. Move the file into in, and save to out.A batch stopped halfway
doc_inspect) and undo step by step, or just delete what's in out and start over from in, which never changed.A file won't open, or comes out different
Text looks wrong in a PSD
FilmCraft won't open on Windows
$env:WGPU_BACKEND = "vulkan" then & .\filmcraft.exe.Drag and drop doesn't work on Linux
You want it gone
claude mcp remove photocraft disconnects it from Claude Code. Then uninstall the app the normal way for your computer and delete photocraft-work if you're done with it.That's the setup
Free Adobe rebuilds with Claude's name on the code, pulled from the real place, checked, and hooked up so Claude edits in one folder and nowhere else. Early, sure, but they're yours.
Checked on Oct 31, 2026 against
Every claim about a third-party tool in this guide (plans, prices, menu paths, commands, limits) was checked against these official pages on Oct 31, 2026. These screens change often: if something looks different, trust the page over this guide.
- PhotoCraft on GitHubClean-room reimplementation of Photoshop in Rust; MIT or Apache-2.0; early alpha; platforms and installers; SHA256SUMS.txt; the macOS CLI notarization check; known gaps (HEIC, AVIF, JPEG XL, Affinity, re-saved PSDs, Wayland drag and drop).
- PhotoCraft releasesEvery build per version (v0.18.0 on 2026-10-31): the .dmg, the separate photocraft-cli macOS zip, .msi, .deb, .rpm, AppImage, Flatpak, SHA256SUMS.txt.
- PhotoCraft on getartcraft.comFree and open source, early alpha, downloads and checksums, the Launcher as the recommended install (checked 2026-10-31).
- ArtCraft: the Crafting AppsAll thirteen apps and their status (early alpha or in development), free to use, permissive licenses (checked 2026-10-31).
- PhotoCraft docs: MCPclaude mcp add photocraft with read and write roots; absolute paths; ENOENT fix; what a client can read and write; the tools (command_list, command_run, command_batch, doc_inspect, render_preview); batches don't roll back; duplicate before experiments.
- PhotoCraft book: MCP from an installed releaseWhere each install puts photocraft-cli (Windows MSI folder, /usr/bin on Linux, the separate macOS zip) and the Windows claude mcp add command.
- PhotoCraft book: Command-line interfaceThe info, run, batch, commands and mcp subcommands; the invert example; out-is-in refusals; missing-font warnings.
- PhotoCraft commit historyCommits signed Co-Authored-By: Claude (39 of the latest 100 on 2026-10-31).
- FilmCraft on GitHubOpen-source nonlinear video editor measured against Premiere Pro; alpha; timeline tools, H.264 MP4 export, MCP; Linux builds; the Windows WGPU_BACKEND fix.
- VectorCraft on GitHubOpen-source vector art tool measured against Illustrator; alpha; Apache-2.0.
- EffectCraft on GitHubOpen-source motion graphics tool measured against After Effects; first commit 2026-10-01; alpha, not yet for production client work; no After Effects projects or plug-ins.
- PdfCraft on GitHubOpen-source PDF reader and editor measured against Acrobat Pro; clean-room; alpha; Apache-2.0.
- LightCraft on GitHubOpen-source non-destructive photo editor; alpha; Apache-2.0.
- DesignCraft on GitHubOpen-source page and layout design editor; Apache-2.0.
- ArtCraft Launcher on GitHubInstalls and updates every Craft app, picks the right build, checks SHA-256 checksums; early alpha.
- Claude Code: Advanced setupInstall commands, claude --version, and which plans include Claude Code (not the free plan).
- Claude Code: MCPclaude mcp add
-- , local scope by default, claude mcp list / remove, /mcp, trust each server before connecting it. - Claude: Plans and pricingFree $0 without Claude Code; Pro $20 billed monthly or $17 a month billed yearly ($200 up front) with Claude Code (checked 2026-10-31).
Questions people ask about this
