Content
# Desktop Commander MCP
### Search, update, manage files and run terminal commands with AI
[](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander)
[](https://smithery.ai/server/@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander)
[](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wonderwhyer)
[](https://discord.gg/kQ27sNnZr7)
Short version. Two key things. Terminal commands and diff based file editing.
<a href="https://glama.ai/mcp/servers/zempur9oh4">
<img width="380" height="200" src="https://glama.ai/mcp/servers/zempur9oh4/badge" alt="Claude Desktop Commander MCP server" />
</a>
## Table of Contents
- [Features](#features)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Usage](#usage)
- [Handling Long-Running Commands](#handling-long-running-commands)
- [Work in Progress and TODOs](#work-in-progress-and-todos)
- [Media links](#media)
- [Testimonials](#testimonials)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [License](#license)
This is server that allows Claude desktop app to execute long-running terminal commands on your computer and manage processes through Model Context Protocol (MCP) + Built on top of [MCP Filesystem Server](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/tree/main/src/filesystem) to provide additional search and replace file editing capabilities .
## Features
- Execute terminal commands with output streaming
- Command timeout and background execution support
- Process management (list and kill processes)
- Session management for long-running commands
- Full filesystem operations:
- Read/write files
- Create/list directories
- Move files/directories
- Search files
- Get file metadata
- Code editing capabilities:
- Surgical text replacements for small changes
- Full file rewrites for major changes
- Multiple file support
- Pattern-based replacements
- vscode-ripgrep based recursive code or text search in folders
## Installation
First, ensure you've downloaded and installed the [Claude Desktop app](https://claude.ai/download) and you have [npm installed](https://docs.npmjs.com/downloading-and-installing-node-js-and-npm).
### Option 1: Install through npx
Just run this in terminal
```
npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest setup
```
For debugging mode (allows Node.js inspector connection):
```
npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest setup --debug
```
Restart Claude if running
### Option 2: Installing via Smithery
To install Desktop Commander for Claude Desktop automatically via [Smithery](https://smithery.ai/server/@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander):
```bash
npx -y @smithery/cli install @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander --client claude
```
### Option 3: Add to claude_desktop_config by hand
Add this entry to your claude_desktop_config.json:
- On Mac: `~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- On Windows: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
- On Linux: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander"
]
}
}
}
```
Restart Claude if running
### Option 4: Checkout locally
1. Clone and build:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeComputerCommander.git
cd ClaudeComputerCommander
npm run setup
```
Restart Claude if running
The setup command will:
- Install dependencies
- Build the server
- Configure Claude's desktop app
- Add MCP servers to Claude's config if needed
### Updating Desktop Commander
When installed through npx (Option 1) or Smithery (Option 2), Desktop Commander will automatically update to the latest version whenever you restart Claude. No manual update process is needed.
For manual installations, you can update by running the setup command again.
## Usage
The server provides these tool categories:
### Terminal Tools
- `execute_command`: Run commands with configurable timeout
- `read_output`: Get output from long-running commands
- `force_terminate`: Stop running command sessions
- `list_sessions`: View active command sessions
- `list_processes`: View system processes
- `kill_process`: Terminate processes by PID
- `block_command`/`unblock_command`: Manage command blacklist
### Filesystem Tools
- `read_file`/`write_file`: File operations (supports viewing PNG, JPEG, GIF, and WebP images directly in Claude)
- `create_directory`/`list_directory`: Directory management
- `move_file`: Move/rename files
- `search_files`: Pattern-based file search
- `get_file_info`: File metadata
- `search_code`: Recursive ripgrep based text and code search
### Edit Tools
- `edit_block`: Apply surgical text replacements (best for changes <20% of file size)
- `write_file`: Complete file rewrites (best for large changes >20% or when edit_block fails)
Search/Replace Block Format:
```
filepath.ext
<<<<<<< SEARCH
content to find
=======
new content
>>>>>>> REPLACE
```
Example:
```
src/main.js
<<<<<<< SEARCH
console.log("old message");
=======
console.log("new message");
>>>>>>> REPLACE
```
## Handling Long-Running Commands
For commands that may take a while:
1. `execute_command` returns after timeout with initial output
2. Command continues in background
3. Use `read_output` with PID to get new output
4. Use `force_terminate` to stop if needed
## Debugging
If you need to debug the server, you can install it in debug mode:
```bash
# Using npx
npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest setup --debug
# Or if installed locally
npm run setup:debug
```
This will:
1. Configure Claude to use a separate "desktop-commander" server
2. Enable Node.js inspector protocol with `--inspect-brk=9229` flag
3. Pause execution at the start until a debugger connects
4. Enable additional debugging environment variables
To connect a debugger:
- In Chrome, visit `chrome://inspect` and look for the Node.js instance
- In VS Code, use the "Attach to Node Process" debug configuration
- Other IDEs/tools may have similar "attach" options for Node.js debugging
Important debugging notes:
- The server will pause on startup until a debugger connects (due to the `--inspect-brk` flag)
- If you don't see activity during debugging, ensure you're connected to the correct Node.js process
- Multiple Node processes may be running; connect to the one on port 9229
- The debug server is identified as "desktop-commander-debug" in Claude's MCP server list
Troubleshooting:
- If Claude times out while trying to use the debug server, your debugger might not be properly connected
- When properly connected, the process will continue execution after hitting the first breakpoint
- You can add additional breakpoints in your IDE once connected
## Model Context Protocol Integration
This project extends the MCP Filesystem Server to enable:
- Local server support in Claude Desktop
- Full system command execution
- Process management
- File operations
- Code editing with search/replace blocks
Created as part of exploring Claude MCPs: https://youtube.com/live/TlbjFDbl5Us
## DONE
- **28-03-2025 Fixed "Watching /" JSON error** - Implemented custom stdio transport to handle non-JSON messages and prevent server crashes
- **25-03-2025 Better code search** ([merged](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeDesktopCommander/pull/17)) - Enhanced code exploration with context-aware results
## Work in Progress and TODOs
The following features are currently being developed or planned:
- **Better configurations** ([in progress](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeDesktopCommander/pull/16)) - Improved settings for allowed paths, commands and shell environment
- **Windows environment fixes** ([in progress](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeDesktopCommander/pull/13)) - Resolving issues specific to Windows platforms
- **Linux improvements** ([in progress](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeDesktopCommander/pull/12)) - Enhancing compatibility with various Linux distributions
- **Support for WSL** - Windows Subsystem for Linux integration
- **Support for SSH** - Remote server command execution
- **Installation troubleshooting guide** - Comprehensive help for setup issues
## Website
Visit our official website at [https://desktopcommander.app/](https://desktopcommander.app/) for the latest information, documentation, and updates.
## Media
Learn more about this project through these resources:
### Article
[Claude with MCPs replaced Cursor & Windsurf. How did that happen?](https://wonderwhy-er.medium.com/claude-with-mcps-replaced-cursor-windsurf-how-did-that-happen-c1d1e2795e96) - A detailed exploration of how Claude with Model Context Protocol capabilities is changing developer workflows.
### Video
[Claude Desktop Commander Video Tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8) - Watch how to set up and use the Commander effectively.
### Publication at AnalyticsIndiaMag
[
This Developer Ditched Windsurf, Cursor Using Claude with MCPs](https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-features/this-developer-ditched-windsurf-cursor-using-claude-with-mcps/)
### Community
Join our [Discord server](https://discord.gg/kQ27sNnZr7) to get help, share feedback, and connect with other users.
## Testimonials
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=UgyyBt6_ShdDX_rIOad4AaABAg
](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=UgyyBt6_ShdDX_rIOad4AaABAg
)
[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=UgztdHvDMqTb9jiqnf54AaABAg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=UgztdHvDMqTb9jiqnf54AaABAg
)
[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=UgyQFTmYLJ4VBwIlmql4AaABAg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=UgyQFTmYLJ4VBwIlmql4AaABAg)
[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=Ugy4-exy166_Ma7TH-h4AaABAg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3bed99Dy8&lc=Ugy4-exy166_Ma7TH-h4AaABAg)
[
https://medium.com/@pharmx/you-sir-are-my-hero-62cff5836a3e](https://medium.com/@pharmx/you-sir-are-my-hero-62cff5836a3e)
## Contributing
If you find this project useful, please consider giving it a ⭐ star on GitHub! This helps others discover the project and encourages further development.
We welcome contributions from the community! Whether you've found a bug, have a feature request, or want to contribute code, here's how you can help:
- **Found a bug?** Open an issue at [github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeComputerCommander/issues](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeComputerCommander/issues)
- **Have a feature idea?** Submit a feature request in the issues section
- **Want to contribute code?** Fork the repository, create a branch, and submit a pull request
- **Questions or discussions?** Start a discussion in the GitHub Discussions tab
All contributions, big or small, are greatly appreciated!
If you find this tool valuable for your workflow, please consider [supporting the project](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wonderwhyer).
## Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions. For a more comprehensive FAQ, see our [detailed FAQ document](FAQ.md).
### What is Claude Desktop Commander?
It's an MCP tool that enables Claude Desktop to access your file system and terminal, turning Claude into a versatile assistant for coding, automation, codebase exploration, and more.
### How is this different from Cursor/Windsurf?
Unlike IDE-focused tools, Claude Desktop Commander provides a solution-centric approach that works with your entire OS, not just within a coding environment. Claude reads files in full rather than chunking them, can work across multiple projects simultaneously, and executes changes in one go rather than requiring constant review.
### Do I need to pay for API credits?
No. This tool works with Claude Desktop's standard Pro subscription ($20/month), not with API calls, so you won't incur additional costs beyond the subscription fee.
### Does Desktop Commander automatically update?
Yes, when installed through npx or Smithery, Desktop Commander automatically updates to the latest version when you restart Claude. No manual update process is needed.
### What are the most common use cases?
- Exploring and understanding complex codebases
- Generating diagrams and documentation
- Automating tasks across your system
- Working with multiple projects simultaneously
- Making surgical code changes with precise control
### I'm having trouble installing or using the tool. Where can I get help?
Join our [Discord server](https://discord.gg/kQ27sNnZr7) for community support, check the [GitHub issues](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeComputerCommander/issues) for known problems, or review the [full FAQ](FAQ.md) for troubleshooting tips. You can also visit our [website FAQ section](https://desktopcommander.app#faq) for a more user-friendly experience. If you encounter a new issue, please consider [opening a GitHub issue](https://github.com/wonderwhy-er/ClaudeComputerCommander/issues/new) with details about your problem.
## Data Collection
During installation and setup, Desktop Commander collects anonymous usage data to help improve the tool. This includes:
- Operating system information
- Node.js and NPM versions
- Installation method and shell environment
- Error messages (if any occur during setup)
This data is collected using PostHog analytics and is associated with a machine-generated unique ID. No personal information is collected. This helps us understand how the tool is being used and identify common issues.
We are currently working on adding a built-in opt-out option for this data collection in an upcoming release. For now, if you wish to opt out, you can block network connections to `eu.i.posthog.com` in your firewall settings.
## License
MIT
