What is Desktop Commander MCP?

Tired of juggling separate tools for coding, file management, terminal commands, and automation? Desktop Commander transforms Claude Desktop into a single, seamless workspace where you can tackle all these tasks—without worrying about API token costs or scattered workflows. It’s built for developers, DevOps pros, technical writers, and designers who want an AI assistant that acts as much as it answers—executing commands, editing files, and streamlining processes right from Claude’s chat interface.

Key Features

📁 Local File Control: All your files stay on your machine. Claude only sends necessary data to its LLM for analysis, keeping sensitive work private and secure. No cloud storage, no hidden data transfers.
🔄 Unlimited Token Access: Say goodbye to per-token costs. With a Claude Pro or Max subscription, you work without limits—ideal for large projects or long editing sessions.
💻 Smart File & Terminal Integration: Claude “understands” your project structure, making precise code edits and executing terminal commands directly in chat. No more switching between editors, terminals, or tools.
🌐 Cross-Platform Flexibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with native support for each OS’s quirks. Whether you’re on a Mac laptop or a Linux server, Desktop Commander adapts.
🔒 Customizable Security: Restrict file access to specific folders, block sensitive commands, or set permissions—so you control what Claude can (and can’t) do.

Use Cases

Software Engineer: Imagine building a feature without writing a single line of code. Describe your goal in chat, and Claude will:

Analyze your codebase’s structure (even 44k-file projects!).
Generate, test, and edit code—then run terminal commands to deploy it.
Example: A user recently automated a 11 million-line codebase’s test coverage with zero manual edits.

DevOps Specialist: Streamline server setup with natural language. Ask Claude to:

Configure Docker containers or Ansible playbooks.
Log into remote servers via SSH and troubleshoot issues.
Example: One DevOps team cut environment setup time from 2 hours to 15 minutes by automating Terraform scripts through chat.

Technical Writer: Keep docs up-to-date without leaving Claude. Ask it to:

Generate release notes from code changes.
Convert code comments into UML diagrams.
Example: A writer reduced weekly doc updates from 8 hours to 2 by automating content reviews and SEO checks.

Conclusion

Desktop Commander isn’t just another AI tool—it’s a workflow upgrade. By unifying file access, terminal control, and AI smarts into Claude’s chat interface, it turns tedious tasks into quick, conversational actions. Whether you’re building a product, managing servers, or writing docs, it’s the assistant that does as much as it knows.

Ready to skip the tool-switching? Install Desktop Commander today—free for personal use, with affordable plans for teams.

FAQ

Q: Is it safe to let Claude access my files?
A: Yes. You control file access (restrict to specific folders) and command execution (block sensitive commands). Claude only acts with your user permissions, and no data leaves your machine unless you share it. Always review proposed actions before approval.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Free for personal use. Teams with >20 per license. You’ll need a Claude Pro (100/month) subscription to use it.

Q: Does it work with large codebases?
A: Absolutely. Users have reported success with 44k-file projects (11 million lines of code). Claude reads full files, not just chunks, so it understands your project’s full structure.

Q: Need help installing?
A: Join the Discord community for real-time support, check GitHub for troubleshooting, or use the automated installers (npx, bash, or Smithery) for a seamless setup.

More information on Desktop Commander MCP

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Desktop Commander MCP was manually vetted by our editorial team and was first featured on 2025-05-04.