DesktopCommanderMCP
This is MCP server for Claude that gives it terminal control, file system search and diff file editing capabilities
Desktop Commander is an MCP server that grants AI assistants like Claude full access to your computer's filesystem, terminal, and running processes. It enables Claude to read and write files (including Excel, PDF, and DOCX), execute shell commands, manage long-running processes (SSH, databases, dev servers), and perform surgical code edits using search-replace blocks. Built as an extension of the MCP Filesystem Server, it transforms Claude Desktop into a powerful automation and development assistant that works across your entire system rather than being confined to a single IDE.
Key Features
Use Cases
- 01Analyzing CSV, JSON, or Excel files by running Python/R scripts directly without saving intermediate files
- 02Exploring and documenting complex codebases across multiple projects simultaneously
- 03Maintaining SSH sessions to remote servers for deployment, monitoring, and system administration tasks
- 04Automating file organization and batch operations across your entire filesystem
- 05Making precise, surgical code changes using search-replace blocks with fuzzy matching and diff previews
- 06Running and interacting with long-running development servers, databases, or interactive REPLs
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DesktopCommanderMCP — FAQ
What is Desktop Commander MCP?+
Desktop Commander is an MCP server that gives Claude Desktop and other MCP clients full access to your computer's filesystem, terminal, and processes. It enables AI-assisted coding, automation, file management, and system administration tasks directly through Claude's chat interface.
How do I install Desktop Commander in Claude Desktop?+
Run `npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest setup` in your terminal and restart Claude Desktop. Alternatively, you can use the bash installer on macOS, install via Smithery, or manually add the npx configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json file.
Which AI clients does Desktop Commander work with?+
It works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code with GitHub Copilot, Cline, Roo Code, Trae, Kiro, JetBrains AI Assistant, Gemini CLI, Augment Code, and Qwen Code. It can also be used with ChatGPT and Claude web via Remote MCP.
Do I need API keys or additional subscriptions?+
No API keys are required. Desktop Commander works with your existing Claude Desktop Pro subscription ($20/month) and does not incur additional API token costs. Node.js is required for most installation methods, though the Docker option works without Node.js.
Is Desktop Commander free to use?+
Yes, Desktop Commander is free and open-source (MIT license). The author requests voluntary support through GitHub Sponsors, Buy Me A Coffee, or Patreon if the tool contributes to your success.
Does it automatically update to new versions?+
Yes, installations via npx, Smithery, bash installer, manual npx config, and Docker automatically update when you restart Claude Desktop. Only the local git checkout method requires manual updates via git pull.
How do I install DesktopCommanderMCP?+
Open the source repository on GitHub and follow its README. DesktopCommanderMCP is a mcp server — MCP Agents Market links you directly to the official repo.
Is DesktopCommanderMCP free?+
DesktopCommanderMCP is an open-source project hosted on GitHub. Check the repository for its license and any usage requirements.