How to Use the Unsplash MCP in Windsurf

Q: Can I search for specific collections using Unsplash in Windsurf?

Yep. The searchcollections tool lets you look up curated topics by keyword, like 'Travel' or 'Architecture.' Once you have a collection ID, the agent can list every photo inside it.

Q: If I need a single photo, how does Unsplash help with Windsurf?

You can ask the agent to getphotodetails using an ID found elsewhere. This tool retrieves all specific data points about that single image—metadata, size, and attribution info.

Find and manage high-res images with Windsurf. Your AI agent handles complex visual sourcing.

See Vinkius in Action

Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers - Free for Subscribers

Connect Unsplash MCP to Windsurf

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

GDPR Free for Subscribers

Setup Unsplash with Windsurf

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

MCP Server: Automate photo discovery for Windsurf

The `search_photos` tool finds free, high-resolution photos across Unsplash based on keywords and returns the ID, URL, and photographer details. Cascade figures out the optimal search parameters and runs this automatically when you set a goal. It doesn't just give you links; it plans the whole sequence for you—from searching curated collections using `search_collections` to listing specific photos with `list_collection_photos`. Just tell Windsurf what you need, and watch it execute.

Browse user portfolios via MCP Server in Windsurf

Need content from a specific creator? Use `get_photographer_photos` to pull every photo uploaded by an Unsplash user. Cascade handles rate limits and pagination, giving you the complete set of images. You can then drill down further using `get_photo_details` on any single ID or use `get_collection_details` if they’ve organized their work into a collection. It's perfect for building out a content library piece by piece.

Get random inspiration with MCP Server and Windsurf

Stuck on a visual concept? The `get_random_photo` tool provides instant, high-resolution photo suggestions. You can even narrow the focus by providing an optional query to guide the selection. This is ideal for brainstorming sessions where you don't want to commit to a search term. Windsurf incorporates this random pull into multi-step plans, ensuring your final output has visual variety.

Setup guide

Set up Unsplash MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

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

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the Unsplash MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my Unsplash payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the Unsplash tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.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.

Why Choose Vinkius

Vinkius connects your tools to AI with real-time monitoring and automatic cost savings — all from one dashboard.

Connect Unsplash now

Real-time monitoring

Live

visibility into every interaction

Connect your favorite tools to your AI and see exactly what's happening — every request, every response, in real time.

Built-in savings

60%

lower AI costs

Vinkius compresses data between your apps and your AI automatically. Lower bills every month — no configuration required.

Single dashboard

One

place for every integration

Every tool your AI connects to, managed from a single screen. One account, complete control.

Common questions about Unsplash MCP in Windsurf

You set a high-level goal, and Cascade figures out the steps. For example, you might ask it to 'Find 10 industrial photos from Nature collections.' It will autonomously run `search_collections` first, then use that ID to feed into `list_collection_photos`. You just get the result.

This server handles photo metadata (IDs, URLs), photographer usernames, and collection details. It's all public-facing attribution information needed for image sourcing.

Yep. The `search_collections` tool lets you look up curated topics by keyword, like 'Travel' or 'Architecture.' Once you have a collection ID, the agent can list every photo inside it.

It is. The core function of this MCP Server provides direct URLs and detailed metadata for high-resolution photos. This means your final assets are properly sourced and ready to use.

You can ask the agent to `get_photo_details` using an ID found elsewhere. This tool retrieves all specific data points about that single image—metadata, size, and attribution info.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

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

OpenAI Agents SDK sdk-python

Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python

Vercel AI SDK sdk-typescript