How to Use the Unsplash MCP in Cursor

Q: Can I find a specific user's portfolio using Unsplash with Cursor?

Yes. You can use searchphotographers by name, then pass the resulting username to getphotographerphotos. The agent will pull all those photo URLs and IDs for you.

Live photo context and data injection into code with Cursor.

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Connect Unsplash MCP to Cursor

Create your Vinkius account to connect Unsplash to Cursor and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup Unsplash with Cursor

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Injecting Visual Data into Code using the MCP Server

Need to write a component that requires image assets? Use `search_photos` so the AI agent can grab photo IDs, URLs, and photographer details. The resulting code will use live data, not stubs. This ensures your generated code is contextually correct right out of the gate.

Contextualizing Photo Collections in Code

If you're building a gallery feature, `get_collection_details` gets you all the necessary metadata. You can then write logic that depends on specific fields like collection names or descriptions. The agent also handles listing photos inside a defined set using `list_collection_photos`, giving you IDs to loop through in your code.

Automating Content Discovery for Project Needs

Use the tool's search functions—like querying keywords via `search_collections`—to find assets. The AI can take that list of results and write placeholder logic around it. It even provides a way to get random inspiration with `get_random_photo`, which is perfect for generating sample data or mock-ups.

Setup guide

Set up Unsplash MCP in Cursor

Prerequisites

Cursor installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP Settings

Go to Cursor Settings → MCP or open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and search for "MCP: Add Server".
2

Add the Unsplash MCP

Cursor will create or open .cursor/mcp.json in your project root. Paste the JSON snippet on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Enable Agent mode

Open Composer (Cmd+I / Ctrl+I) and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown at the top. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode.
4

Verify the connection

Ask Cursor something like "List my recent Unsplash transactions." If the MCP tools are loaded correctly, Cursor will call the Unsplash tools automatically. You can also check Settings → MCP for a green status indicator.

.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "unsplash-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by Unsplash. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about Unsplash MCP in Cursor

Just activate Agent mode in Cursor and ask it to find assets. The AI will call the MCP tool, get live photo data, and then inject that information directly into the code you're writing.

The server touches image IDs, photographer attribution, collection details, and topic keywords. All this structured data is available for your AI client to read and write into code variables.

Yes. You can use `search_photographers` by name, then pass the resulting username to `get_photographer_photos`. The agent will pull all those photo URLs and IDs for you.

The data is live. When the AI calls the MCP tool, it returns real API responses—no mock data or stubs. You get working context immediately.

It handles text strings (usernames, topics), image URLs/IDs, and structured metadata about collections and photos.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

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