TdHttpApi.tox - Agent Bridge

TouchDesigner HTTP Bridge — Agent Quick Start

What You Can Do

Inspect & Debug Networks

• See the full network structure — all nodes, wires, and parameters as JSON
• Find errors instantly — list all broken operators and their error messages
• Verify what's running — inspect cook times, memory, and performance metrics
• Read any DAT — pull Python script or CSV content without opening files

Find & Fix Problems

• Identify parameter mistakes — discover the exact param names instead of guessing (radx vs rad0)

• Check operator signatures — know if a node expects wired inputs or parameter references

• Trace references — see which nodes depend on which, spot broken chains

• Understand errors in context — read the full error message and the surrounding network

Explain Networks

• Generate network diagrams — export as Mermaid (/network.mmd) for visualization
• List all connections — see data flow without looking at the UI
• Describe patterns — understand what each part of the network does

Learn from Official Examples

• Request example networks — get curated code snippets for any operator type (via /examples route)
• Ask about node types — get explanations and use cases for any TouchDesigner operator
• Learn techniques — understand how to wire feedback loops, manage state, compose effects, etc.

Build Networks Programmatically

• Create nodes — specify type, position, and parameters
• Wire them up — connect inputs/outputs with full control
• Batch operations — build entire sub-networks in one script
• Use templates — capture hand-built patterns and replay them
• Hot-reload Python — edit your scripts and reload without restarting TD

Other Powers

• Set parameters — read and write any parameter value or expression
• Run Python — execute one-off scripts and capture output
• Move & organize — reposition nodes, add comments, group with annotations
• Compare snapshots — diff two network states to see exactly what changed

Getting Started

Step 1: Install the TdHttpApi Component

Drop the TdHttpApi.tox component into your TouchDesigner project. It runs a local HTTP server on port 3031, exposing the entire network and Python API.

Step 2: Verify the Bridge Is Live

curl http://127.0.0.1:3031/health or visit in a browser. You should see a JSON response.

If this fails, check:

1. Is TouchDesigner running and the project open?
2. Is the TdHttpApi COMP active (no red errors)?
3. Are you using 127.0.0.1 (not localhost)?

Step 3: Connect Your Agent

Run a prompt to let your agent know how to use the bridge. There's a robust example prompt in the TdHttpApi COMP's prompt_agent_init DAT.

For a quick start, you can use the following simple prompt to orient your agent:

Use the TdHttpApi at http://127.0.0.1:3031 to inspect and modify the live TouchDesigner project.

Optional Additions (Unlocks More Power)

These aren't required, but they'll make your work smarter and faster, with fewer hallucinations and mistakes:

Skills & Documentation

If your project has a skills/ folder, you can copy the embedded skills in TdHttpApi.tox into it. These skills provide high-level guidance for your agent, including:

• td-http-api.md — friction points and best practices
• td-network-craft.md — idiomatic network-building technique
• td-common-mistakes.md — common TD Python traps to avoid

MCP Server: 

https://github.com/cacheflowe/td-docs-mcp

Query TouchDesigner's official documentation directly from your editor:

• "What parameters does a poptoCHOP have?"

• "Show me the Python API for CHOP operators"

• "What does the attribscope parameter do?"

Configured in .mcp.json; requires uv and the td-docs-mcp repo.

Good luck! 

Updated: 2026/07/25