> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.summerengine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Build Games in Zed with Summer Engine MCP

> Connect Summer Engine's MCP server to Zed and build games with AI inside the fast, AI-powered editor.

## Summer Engine in Zed

Zed is a fast, AI-powered code editor that supports MCP (Model Context Protocol) through its Agent Panel. With Summer Engine's integration, Zed's AI can control your game engine: add nodes to scenes, set properties, import assets, run the game, and debug, all from within your coding workflow.

This guide covers the configuration. Setup takes about a minute.

## Prerequisites

* **Zed**: The high-performance editor with built-in AI
* **Node.js**: For running the MCP server (Node 18+)
* **Summer Engine**: Installed and running with your project open

## Configuration

Zed uses `context_servers` in its settings. You can add Summer Engine via:

* **Settings file:** `~/.config/zed/settings.json` (or `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/zed/settings.json` on Linux)
* **Project-level:** `.zed/settings.json` in your project root (create via **zed: open project settings**)
* **UI:** Agent Panel → Settings → **Add Custom Server**

### Step 1: Open Settings

Press `Cmd+,` (Mac) or `Ctrl+,` (Linux/Windows), or run **zed: open settings** from the Command Palette. For project-specific config, run **zed: open project settings** to create `.zed/settings.json`.

### Step 2: Add Summer Engine

Add the `context_servers` entry. If it already exists, add `summer-engine` to the object:

<CodeGroup>
  ```json New context_servers theme={null}
  {
    "context_servers": {
      "summer-engine": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["summer-engine", "mcp"],
        "env": {}
      }
    }
  }
  ```

  ```json Adding to existing context_servers theme={null}
  {
    "context_servers": {
      "other-server": { ... },
      "summer-engine": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["summer-engine", "mcp"],
        "env": {}
      }
    }
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Step 3: Restart Zed

Close and reopen Zed so it loads the new config. The Summer Engine MCP server starts when Zed starts; it connects to the engine on the first tool call.

### Step 4: Verify

1. Open the **Agent Panel** (top-right menu or Command Palette)
2. Go to **Settings** and check the context servers list
3. A green dot next to **summer-engine** means it's active
4. Try a prompt: "Use Summer Engine to add a MeshInstance3D with a BoxMesh to the scene"

If the node appears in Summer Engine, the setup is working.

## Using Summer Engine with Zed

Once configured, the AI can use Summer Engine's tools when you ask for game-related changes. Example prompts:

* "Add a Camera3D and DirectionalLight3D to the scene root"
* "Get the scene tree from Summer Engine"
* "Import this model and add it to the World node: \[URL]"
* "Run the game and capture a screenshot"
* "Set the project's main scene to res\://main.tscn"

<Tip>
  **Engine must be running.** Zed's AI talks to Summer Engine over localhost. Open your project in the engine first, or run `npx summer-engine run` from the project directory.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting

### "Summer Engine is not running"

Start Summer Engine and open your project. The MCP server connects to the engine's local API on port 6550. The engine writes a token to `~/.summer/api-token` when it starts.

### MCP server not appearing or red dot

* **Config path:** Verify settings are in `~/.config/zed/settings.json` or `.zed/settings.json` in your project
* **JSON validity:** Ensure no trailing commas, proper quotes, and valid JSON structure
* **Restart:** Fully quit and reopen Zed

### Tools return errors

See the [Tools Reference](/mcp/tools-reference) for parameter formats. Common issues: wrong node path format (`./World/Player`), invalid property values (use engine string format like `"Vector3(0, 10, 0)"`), or the game running when scene edits are attempted (stop it first with `summer_stop`).

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tools Reference" icon="wrench" href="/mcp/tools-reference">
    All 23 MCP tools with parameters and examples
  </Card>

  <Card title="Building a Game" icon="gamepad-2" href="/mcp/building-a-game">
    How an AI builds a full game using MCP
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Setup Overview" icon="plug" href="/mcp/setup">
    Architecture, prerequisites, and other IDEs
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI Reference" icon="terminal" href="/mcp/cli-reference">
    summer install, run, create, and more
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Need help or have questions? Reach out to our founders at [founders@summerengine.com](mailto:founders@summerengine.com) or join our community on [Discord](https://discord.gg/yUpgtxnZky) for fast responses.