Adobe previews MCP links that let outside AI agents operate Creative Cloud apps

Adobe has previewed local Model Context Protocol integrations that would allow outside AI agents to work directly inside Creative Cloud desktop applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere and After Effects. The system is designed to let agents from providers including OpenAI, Google and Anthropic modify native project files on a user’s computer.

Unlike Adobe’s earlier chatbot connectors, the local MCP approach gives external agents control of the desktop applications themselves. The Verge reported that layers, vectors, bins and sequences remain editable after an agent has made changes, allowing creators to review and refine the result in the original software.

MCP, or Model Context Protocol, is an open-source standard for linking AI systems with external applications and databases. Adobe said the connections could also let an agent combine creative work with other MCP-compatible tools, such as retrieving reference material from Google Docs or sharing finished work through Slack.

The company demonstrated an OpenAI agent editing a project in the Photoshop beta desktop application, according to CNET. Adobe said the aim is to allow customers to use their preferred AI application with selected Creative Cloud tools, while it continues to determine which capabilities the endpoint should expose.

The announcement extends Adobe’s agentic-software push, as we reported Tuesday when the company expanded Firefly into an AI creative studio built around its Creative Agent, partner models and Adobe tools. Adobe has previously brought creative functions to conversational platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot, but the MCP preview would move beyond calling individual functions from a chat window to operating the desktop applications and their working files.

Adobe also updated the beta Firefly AI Assistant with Plan Mode, which shows an agent’s proposed sequence of work before it runs. Users can edit and approve the plan or allow the agent to proceed, while a new Model Selector lets them choose a model themselves or use automatic selection based on the required outcome.

The assistant can retain project preferences such as formats, colours, brand guidelines, characters and products for use across work. It also gained an integration with Firefly Boards.

Separately, Adobe previewed always-on agents for recurring background work, including sorting incoming assets, checking quality and preparing material for different channels. The company said these agents would arrive first in Firefly AI Assistant, enabling work to continue while a user is elsewhere or away from the computer.

Creative Cloud’s local MCP integrations are due to enter a private beta for selected users in early 2027.