How to Use the Unsplash MCP in Mastra AI

Q: How do I find random images with Unsplash and Mastra AI?

You call getrandomphoto. Since this is a core tool, it's great for the start of any workflow. You can optionally pass a query to guide the selection before moving on to analysis.

Q: Can I manage photo collection details with Unsplash and Mastra AI?

Yes, use getcollectiondetails. This gives you all the necessary metadata for a specific group of images. You can then check if those details meet criteria before proceeding to list the photos inside.

Q: What if I need to find a specific topic using Unsplash and Mastra AI?

You can use listeditorialtopics first. This lists the available topics (Nature, etc.). Then you incorporate that knowledge into your workflow's next step.

Run complex photo retrieval workflows with Mastra AI using this MCP Server.

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Connect Unsplash MCP to Mastra AI

Create your Vinkius account to connect Unsplash to Mastra AI 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 Mastra AI

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Running multi-step Unsplash searches in Mastra AI

When you build a workflow, you can chain tools together. For instance, first call `search_collections` to find 'Architecture.' Then, take the resulting ID and pass it into `list_collection_photos`. The MCP Server handles these sequential calls. If one step fails—say, the collection is empty—your Mastra AI workflow can catch that error and automatically retry or move to a different fallback tool like `get_random_photo`.

Retrieving photo data for Mastra AI

Need detailed info on one image? Use `get_photo_details`. This is crucial when you need to verify specific metadata about a picture before proceeding in your workflow. The server provides the structured output needed for conditional logic. This makes it ideal for auditing: if photo details don't meet criteria, the workflow can fail gracefully and alert an admin.

Handling Unsplash search failures with Mastra AI

The `search_photos` tool returns IDs, URLs, and photographer info. If a search fails or yields zero results, your agent framework doesn't crash; it uses the failure state to trigger an alternative path. For example, if searching by name fails, the workflow can automatically switch and try listing the most recent photos using `list_latest_photos` instead.

Setup guide

Set up Unsplash MCP in Mastra AI

Prerequisites

Node.js 18+ and a TypeScript project
@mastra/mcp + @mastra/core packages
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Install dependencies
Run npm install @mastra/mcp @mastra/core plus your preferred model provider (e.g. @ai-sdk/openai).
2

Configure the MCPClient
Create an MCPClient with your Vinkius endpoint as a URL object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Discover and inject tools
Call mcpClient.listTools() and spread the result into your agent's tools object. All Unsplash tools become native Mastra tools.
4

Run with any model
Swap openai("gpt-4o") for any AI SDK-compatible provider. Call agent.generate() and the agent routes tool calls through MCP automatically.

agent.ts

import { MCPClient } from "@mastra/mcp";
import { Agent } from "@mastra/core/agent";
import { openai } from "@ai-sdk/openai";

const mcpClient = new MCPClient({
  id: "unsplash-mcp-client",
  servers: {
    "unsplash-mcp": {
      url: new URL(
        "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
      ),
    },
  },
});

const agent = new Agent({
  name: "Unsplash Agent",
  model: openai("gpt-4o"),
  instructions: "You have access to Unsplash tools.",
  tools: {
    ...(await mcpClient.listTools()),
  },
});

const result = await agent.generate(
  "List recent Unsplash transactions"
);
console.log(result.text);

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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 Mastra AI

You call `get_random_photo`. Since this is a core tool, it's great for the start of any workflow. You can optionally pass a query to guide the selection before moving on to analysis.

Yes, use `get_collection_details`. This gives you all the necessary metadata for a specific group of images. You can then check if those details meet criteria before proceeding to list the photos inside.

The server provides three main search paths: searching collections by keyword (`search_collections`), searching photographers by name, or general photo searches. Each gives structured data to guide your workflow.

The server touches public-facing photo IDs, URLs, collection details, and photographer names. It assumes the external source is stable but helps your workflow manage unexpected null or empty results.

You can use `list_editorial_topics` first. This lists the available topics (Nature, etc.). Then you incorporate that knowledge into your workflow's next step.

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