OpenAI OCR MCP Server

What is OpenAI OCR MCP Server?

OpenAI OCR MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that uses OpenAI’s GPT‑4.1‑mini vision model to extract text from images. It integrates with Cursor IDE, allowing users to select an image file and receive the extracted text directly in the IDE, as well as saved as a separate text file.

How to use OpenAI OCR MCP Server?

Install dependencies (npm install), build the TypeScript code (npm run build), and set the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable in a .env file. In Cursor IDE, configure the MCP server, then use the OCR tool via the command palette to select an image file. The extracted text is displayed in Cursor and automatically saved as a text file next to the source image.

Key features of OpenAI OCR MCP Server

• Text extraction from images via OpenAI’s GPT‑4.1‑mini vision model.
• Automatic creation of text files alongside the source image.
• Content‑based file naming using a unique 8‑character hash.
• Supports JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP image formats.
• Robust error handling with detailed, debug‑friendly logging.

Use cases of OpenAI OCR MCP Server

• Extracting text from scanned documents or photos directly in Cursor IDE.
• Automatically saving OCR results as organized, hash‑named text files.
• Processing batches of images with consistent error reporting and file validation.
• Enabling text extraction workflows within a code editor environment.

FAQ from OpenAI OCR MCP Server

What vision model does the server use?

It uses OpenAI’s GPT‑4.1‑mini model, optimized for text extraction from images with high‑detail analysis.

Which image formats are supported?

The server supports JPEG/JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP formats.

Is there a file size limit for images?

Yes, images must be 5MB or smaller; larger files are rejected with an error message.

How is the extracted text file named?

The text file follows the pattern {original_image_name}-{content_hash}.txt, where the hash is an 8‑character unique identifier derived from the extracted text.

Do I need an OpenAI API key to use the server?

Yes, a valid OpenAI API key (either standard sk-... or project‑specific sk-proj-...) must be set in the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable.