Inspect live FileMaker layouts
Live layout inspection is available in macOS 2.9.6 (Build 75) and Windows 1.4.1 through Genie and Local MCP. It is included in Free read access.
Use it to understand an existing layout before planning changes: inspect its structure, field bindings, buttons, script triggers, authored calculations, object hierarchy, and local styling. The read does not switch layouts, use the clipboard, or change FileMaker.
Try it
Section titled “Try it”Ask: “Inspect the Customer Details layout. Explain the fields, buttons, and script triggers.” Replace Customer Details with the exact layout name in your open file.
Start with a summary, then request only the objects you need. If the layout changes between reads, get a fresh summary before continuing.
MCP usage
Section titled “MCP usage”Use the existing fm_read tool with target: "layout"; there is no separate get_layout tool. Resolve an exact layout ID or unique layoutName in the active file.
summary: layout identity, parts, counts, and triggers.objects: a bounded object index for focused discovery.object: complete details for one object, including optional subtree XML for tool-level inspection.full: paginated original XML for clients that need the complete definition.fields: the separate field-usage view; Windows supports this mode on FileMaker 22 and 26.
Keep the returned file/layout/object identities and snapshot_hash with follow-up requests. Continuation cursors require that hash. If a snapshot becomes stale, restart from a fresh summary. Raw XML is an internal/tool representation; ordinary Genie previews remain human-readable.
Verified compatibility
Section titled “Verified compatibility”| Platform | FileMaker Pro builds |
|---|---|
| Apple silicon Mac | 19.6.3, 20.3.2, 21.1.3, 22.0.6, 26.0.2 |
| Windows x64 | 19.6.3.302, 20.3.2.201, 21.1.3.301, 22.0.6.601, 26.0.2.212 |
Other point builds and Intel Macs are not supported for layout-content reads. This feature-specific list is narrower than general plugin or public search compatibility.
Access and limits
Section titled “Access and limits”Layout-content reads are unavailable while the relevant Chat or Local MCP Privacy Mode is active. Metadata or field-usage access remains subject to its own selected scope and platform support.
Inspection does not add layout import or Apply. Ask for native layout objects in the same Genie chat; generating those objects requires Coding Access on macOS. External staging, all Workbench actions, evaluation, script runs, and file activation require Coding Access; SELECT-only queries and supported reads remain Free.
After updating, restart FileMaker and reconnect your MCP client to refresh discovery.