Overview
The Asset Search MCP tools let AI agents (running in Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf, or any MCP-compatible IDE) discover and import game assets directly into your Summer Engine project. Instead of switching to the Summer app to browse the asset store, you describe what you need in natural language and the agent finds it, imports it, and optionally adds it to your scene.
What makes it powerful: Hybrid search combines keyword matching with semantic understanding. A query like “sci-fi weapon” finds assets named “Blaster A” and assets described as “futuristic gun” or “space shooter.” Results are diversified across asset packs so you get variety, not ten variations of the same model.
Pro subscription required. Asset search via MCP is a Pro feature. Run summer login to authenticate. Free users can use all other MCP tools (scene editing, project settings, import from URL) without restriction.
Prerequisites
- Summer Engine installed and running (for import and scene placement)
- MCP configured in your IDE to use the Summer Engine MCP server
- Logged in with a Pro account:
summer login
- Scene open in the editor (for adding assets to the scene tree)
summer_search_assets
Searches the asset library by description. Returns asset names, types, preview URLs, and import-ready file URLs. Use this when you need to explore options before committing to an import, or when the user asks “what trees do you have?” or “show me some low-poly characters.”
Parameters:
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|---|
query | string | required | Natural language search, e.g. “low-poly tree”, “wooden crate”, “sci-fi weapon” |
assetType | enum | "all" | Filter: 2d_image, animation, 3d_model, audio, music, or all |
limit | number | 10 | Max results (1–20) |
{
"assets": [
{
"id": "abc123",
"title": "Tree Oak",
"type": "3d_model",
"fileUrl": "https://res.cloudinary.com/.../tree-oak.glb",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://res.cloudinary.com/.../preview.png",
"pack": "Nature Kit",
"similarity": 0.87
}
],
"count": 10,
"summary": "3 from Nature Kit (3d model), 2 from Forest Pack (3d model), ...",
"message": "Found 10 assets matching \"low-poly tree\""
}
summer_import_asset
Searches the asset library and imports the best match in one step. Use when the user’s intent is clear: “Add a tree to the scene,” “Import a wooden barrel,” “Put a low-poly character in ./World.”
Parameters:
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|---|
query | string | required | What to find, e.g. “low-poly tree”, “wooden crate” |
parent | string | optional | Parent node path to add the asset under, e.g. ./World. If omitted, only imports (no scene placement) |
assetType | enum | "3d_model" | Preferred type: 2d_image, animation, 3d_model, audio, music, or all |
- Searches the library (up to 5 results)
- Picks the top match by relevance
- Downloads and imports the file into the project (triggers the engine’s import pipeline)
- Kenney 3D assets: Imports texture first (
Textures/colormap.png), then the GLB, using pack-scoped paths (res://assets/models/kenney/{packSlug}/). This prevents texture collisions when multiple packs are imported. Each pack keeps its own texture folder.
- If
parent is provided and the asset is a 3D model, instantiates it under that node
Example success response:
{
"success": true,
"asset": "Tree Oak",
"type": "3d_model",
"importedTo": "res://assets/models/kenney/nature-kit/tree-oak.glb",
"addedToScene": true,
"parent": "./World",
"message": "Imported \"Tree Oak\" and added to ./World"
}
summer_import_asset multiple times or use summer_search_assets first to curate, then import selected assets via summer_import_from_url.
Search Quality Tips
The hybrid search works best when you match how assets are described in the library:
- Be specific: “low-poly wooden crate” beats “crate”
- Use style terms: “cartoon”, “realistic”, “stylized”, “sci-fi”, “fantasy”
- Mention context: “platformer tiles”, “FPS weapon”, “RPG character”
- Pack names help: If you know a pack (e.g. “Nature Kit”), include it
Results are diversified: you won’t get ten assets from the same pack. Each result includes a pack field so you can group or filter by asset pack.
Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Resolution |
|---|
Not logged in | No auth token | Run summer login |
upgrade_required | Free plan | Upgrade to Pro at summerengine.com/dashboard |
Invalid or expired token | Token expired or invalid | Run summer login --force |
No results | Query didn’t match any assets | Try different keywords or broaden the search |
Engine error | Summer Engine not running | Open Summer Engine first |
Import failed | Download or import pipeline failed | Check engine logs; verify asset URL is accessible |
Workflow Examples
Single asset, add to scene
User: “Add a low-poly tree to my World node”
Agent calls: summer_import_asset({ query: "low-poly tree", parent: "./World", assetType: "3d_model" })
Browse before importing
User: “What sci-fi weapons do you have?”
Agent calls: summer_search_assets({ query: "sci-fi weapon", assetType: "3d_model", limit: 15 })
Agent presents results, user picks one. Agent then uses summer_import_from_url with the chosen asset’s fileUrl and summer_instantiate_scene to add it.
Multiple assets, same type
User: “Add some wooden crates and barrels to the warehouse”
Agent calls summer_import_asset twice (or uses summer_search_assets + summer_import_from_url_batch for bulk import).
Asset Library
The search covers 25,000+ assets from the Kenney asset collection: 3D models, 2D sprites, UI elements, and audio. All assets are CC0 (public domain) and free to use in commercial projects. See Art System Licensing for details.
