Peekaboo
Peekaboo is a macOS CLI & optional MCP server that enables AI agents to capture screenshots of applications, or the entire system, with optional visual question answering through local or remote AI models.
Peekaboo is a macOS screen capture and UI automation MCP server that enables AI agents to observe and control desktop applications. It provides tools for taking screenshots, inspecting accessibility hierarchies, and performing actions like clicking, typing, and menu navigation across any macOS app. The server integrates with MCP clients such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Codex, allowing language models to interact with the graphical desktop environment through a standardized protocol.
Key Features
Use Cases
- 01Enabling Claude or other AI assistants to observe and control macOS applications during coding sessions
- 02Automating multi-step browser workflows like navigating to websites and filling forms
- 03Inspecting UI hierarchies of running applications to identify clickable elements programmatically
- 04Creating visual documentation by capturing screenshots with AI-powered analysis
- 05Building agent workflows that combine observation and action across multiple macOS apps
- 06Testing UI automation scripts with structured accessibility element snapshots
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Peekaboo — FAQ
What is Peekaboo MCP server?+
Peekaboo is an MCP server for macOS that gives AI agents the ability to capture screenshots, inspect UI elements through accessibility APIs, and automate desktop interactions like clicking and typing. It exposes these capabilities as tools that MCP clients can call to observe and control macOS applications.
How do I install Peekaboo MCP server?+
Install Peekaboo via npm using 'npx -y @steipete/peekaboo --version' (requires Node.js 22+) or via Homebrew with 'brew install steipete/tap/peekaboo'. Then add the MCP configuration to your client's settings file, pointing to the npm package or CLI binary.
Which MCP clients work with Peekaboo?+
Peekaboo supports Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and any other MCP-compatible client. The documentation provides specific setup instructions for connecting to each client.
What are the prerequisites for using Peekaboo?+
Peekaboo requires macOS 15 or later and Screen Recording permission for screenshots. Accessibility permission is needed for UI inspection and automation, and Input Monitoring permission enables synthetic keyboard/mouse input. No API keys are required for basic screen capture and automation.
Is Peekaboo free to use?+
Yes, Peekaboo is open source and released under the MIT license, making it free for both personal and commercial use.
Can Peekaboo automate apps without bringing them to the foreground?+
Yes, Peekaboo supports background automation for semantic actions like clicking named elements and typing when provided with an exact window ID. This allows automation without disrupting the user's current workspace.
How do I install Peekaboo?+
Open the source repository on GitHub and follow its README. Peekaboo is a mcp server — MCP Agents Market links you directly to the official repo.
Is Peekaboo free?+
Peekaboo is an open-source project hosted on GitHub. Check the repository for its license and any usage requirements.