How to use the BioRender MCP connector

Integrate BioRender's scientific illustrations directly into AI-powered conversations to streamline research, figure creation, and scientific communication.

The BioRender MCP connector lets you use natural-language prompts in a compatible AI assistant to:

• Search the BioRender template library for professional, ready-to-use scientific templates.
• Search your own and shared BioRender files (figures) so you can find and reference work you've already created.
• Create custom scientific figures with AI — generate a first-draft figure from a text description (and an optional reference image or template), preview it, and open it in BioRender to keep editing.

Results and previews appear directly in your conversation, and every item links back to BioRender so you can open and edit it.

How to use the BioRender MCP connector with your AI assistant

1. Open your AI assistant's settings and navigate to "Connectors" or "Integrations".
2. Click to add a new MCP server connection.
3. Enter the BioRender MCP server URL: https://mcp.services.biorender.com/mcp
4. Save the configuration.
5. In your AI assistant, select "Connect to BioRender".
6. Log in using your BioRender credentials.
7. Approve the requested permissions.
8. Once authenticated, you'll be redirected back to your AI assistant.
9. In an active conversation, enable the BioRender connector under "Tools" or "Connectors".

Searching BioRender content

Use natural-language prompts to search the BioRender template library and your own files. Examples include:

• "Find BioRender templates for protein aggregation pathways."
• "Show me my BioRender files about CAR-T cell therapy."
• "Search BioRender for SARS-CoV-2 viral structure illustrations."
• "Find my figures and any templates related to CRISPR gene editing."

You can ask for templates only, your own files only, or both at once.

The first time the assistant calls the BioRender connector in a conversation, you'll be asked to approve the request. Review the request and choose to allow it.

Search results appear as cards with a title, a preview thumbnail, and a link. Click any result to open it directly in BioRender for editing and use. Your own files are labelled so you can tell them apart from public templates.

Creating a custom figure with AI

You can ask the assistant to generate a brand-new figure from a description. For example:

• "Create a BioRender figure showing the stages of mitosis."
• "Make a figure of a neuron synapse, using this template as a starting point." (with a template from a previous search)
• "Generate a figure based on this sketch." (with an image you provide)

The assistant generates one or more figure previews and shows them to you in the conversation. When a preview is ready, BioRender creates a real figure from it and returns a link so you can open it in the editor and continue refining. Generating custom figure previews consumes BioRender AI credits on your account.

Common issues

Unable to connect to BioRender

Verify your BioRender credentials, check server access, and confirm that your AI assistant supports MCP.

There are no results to my search

Use broader or alternative search terms. When searching your own files, make sure you're signed in to the BioRender account that owns or has access to them. Ensure your subscription includes access to the content type you're searching for.

Troubleshooting authentication issues

If you encounter issues authenticating, clear your browser cookies or cache. Confirm that your BioRender account is active by logging into https://app.biorender.com, then try authenticating again.

Limited access to templates

Some templates within search results may be restricted to certain Premium plans of BioRender. Ensure that you have the right Premium subscription to access these types of content on the app.

Custom figure generation isn't working

Custom figure creation uses BioRender AI credits. If generation fails or is unavailable, confirm that your account and plan include BioRender AI access and that you have credits remaining.

Your data and privacy

When you use the BioRender MCP connector, the searches you run, the files and templates you choose to reference, the prompts you write, and the figures generated for you are shared with the third-party AI assistant you've connected (for example, Claude). That assistant processes this content under its own terms and privacy practices, which BioRender does not control. Only connect the assistant and approve requests if you're comfortable with that.

BioRender does not use your uploaded content or science figures to train generative AI models without your consent. For full details on what we collect and how it's used, see the BioRender Privacy Policy (https://www.biorender.com/privacy).