Tolstoy MCP lets you use Tolstoy Studio through an AI assistant such as Claude or Codex. MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It connects your AI assistant to the Tolstoy tools and workspace you approve.
This is useful when you have several products to create content for, with photos and campaign instructions stored in different places. For example, you can use product photos from your computer and a brief from Google Sheets to create a set of lifestyle images. Your AI assistant brings the information together, while Tolstoy Studio generates the content.
How to Set Up
Before you start, you’ll need:
A Tolstoy workspace with access to Studio.
An AI assistant connected to Tolstoy MCP.
Product photos and instructions for the content you want.
Access to those files through your chosen AI assistant.
1. Connect your AI assistant to Tolstoy
Follow the Tolstoy connection guide for your AI tool, then sign in to the Tolstoy workspace you want to use.
For Claude, follow the Claude setup guide.
2. Give your assistant access to your source files
Make your product photos and campaign brief available to the assistant. Depending on your setup, this may mean connecting Google Drive, attaching files, or providing access to a local folder.
Connecting Tolstoy does not automatically give your assistant access to your computer, Drive, or spreadsheets. Those sources need their own access.
If you want the assistant to update a spreadsheet with results, its connection must also support editing that spreadsheet.
3. Prepare your campaign brief
A spreadsheet can help you keep instructions organized. Use one row per product and include details such as:
Product | Image filename | Scene | Headline |
Yellow mug | yellow-mug.jpg | A sunny cabin porch | Your morning moment |
Canvas bag | canvas-bag.jpg | A picnic beside a lake | Made for weekends |
Include any other requirements that matter, such as the image format, background, or details that should stay unchanged.
4. Ask the assistant to create your content
Explain where your files are, which brief to follow, and what you want it to produce.
For example:
Use the product photos in the “Summer Campaign” folder and the instructions in the “Summer Campaign Brief” spreadsheet.
Upload the photos to my Tolstoy library, then use Tolstoy Studio to create one lifestyle ad image for each product. Follow the scene and headline in each row, and keep the product’s color, shape, and logo unchanged.
If you have permission to edit the spreadsheet, add each finished image’s link and status to its matching row. Otherwise, return a table of results here.
5. Review the results and request changes
Review the generated images in the assistant or their corresponding Tolstoy Studio chats.
To change a result, identify the product and describe the adjustment:
Update the yellow mug image from this campaign. Change the winter scene to a sunny summer day. Keep the mug, headline, and cabin porch unchanged.
You can continue refining the result through the same conversation.
How to Publish
Generating content creates assets for you to review. It does not automatically launch an advertising campaign or make the content live on your website.
Once you approve the results, use the publishing workflow for your intended destination, such as your website, social channel, or advertising platform.
Before using an image, open the finished result and check that the product, text, and format match your brief.
Best Practices
Match filenames to products. Make it clear which photo belongs to each spreadsheet row.
Be specific about the result. Include the scene, headline, format, and intended use.
State what should stay unchanged. Mention important product details when requesting edits.
Start with a small batch. Review the creative direction before applying it to more products.
Keep a record of results. Ask for product names, links, and completion statuses in a table or editable spreadsheet.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
When is MCP most useful?
MCP is useful when your workflow involves many product files, several information sources, or an AI assistant you already use regularly. For a small number of images, you can also work directly in Tolstoy Studio.
Can I use a saved Studio template?
Yes. Ask your assistant to find the Studio templates available in your connected Tolstoy workspace and use the one you choose.
Can I change one image without starting the whole batch again?
Yes. Identify the result you want to change and ask for an update in its existing Studio conversation.
Why can’t the assistant read my files or update my spreadsheet?
Check whether your chosen assistant has access to the source. Reading a spreadsheet and editing it may require different permissions or connector capabilities.
Is creating content through MCP cheaper?
There is no guaranteed saving. Costs depend on your Tolstoy usage and the AI assistant you use.