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How do I install Desktop Commander (local MCP) in Claude Desktop, Cowork or Claude Code? ​

Desktop Commander (local MCP) runs on the same computer as your AI app. Claude Desktop and Cowork share one setup, so you install it once for both. Claude Code has its own setup.

You need: Node.js 22.12 or newer. Check with node --version, or get the installer from nodejs.org. On a Mac, the install script below installs Node.js for you.

Claude Desktop and Cowork ​

From the terminal (recommended). Open Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows) and run:

bash
npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest setup

On a Mac without Node.js, run this instead:

bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install.sh | bash

From Claude's directory. In Claude Desktop, open Customize, browse connectors or plugins, search for Desktop Commander and click Install. Pick Desktop Commander, not Remote Desktop Commander, which is the version for ChatGPT and Claude on the web.

Then fully quit Claude Desktop (on a Mac, quit from the menu bar), open it again and ask: "What can I do with Desktop Commander?"

Prefer to edit the config file? Add this to claude_desktop_config.json, next to any servers already in it:

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "desktop-commander": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest"]
    }
  }
}

The file is at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on a Mac, %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json on Windows and ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on Linux.

Claude Code ​

Run this in your terminal to add Desktop Commander for all your projects:

bash
claude mcp add --scope user desktop-commander -- npx -y @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest

Or install it as a plugin inside Claude Code:

txt
/plugin marketplace add wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP
/plugin install desktop-commander@desktop-commander

Already set up in Claude Desktop? On a Mac or in WSL, run claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop to copy it over.

Installing in Claude Desktop doesn't add Desktop Commander to Claude Code, and the other way around. Install it in each app you use.

If something doesn't work ​

  • The setup command fails: check that node --version shows 22.12 or newer, then run the command again. You can also edit the config file by hand
  • Claude can't find Desktop Commander: fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop. On a Mac, check System Settings › Privacy & Security in case it asks you to allow something
  • It works in one Claude app but not another: each app needs its own install, see above

Update or remove ​

Desktop Commander (local MCP) updates itself each time you restart your AI app.

  • Claude Desktop and Cowork: run npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest remove. It backs up your config first. If you installed from Claude's directory, remove it under Customize
  • Claude Code: run claude mcp remove desktop-commander, or /plugin uninstall desktop-commander@desktop-commander if you installed the plugin

To limit which folders and commands it can use, see How do I use Desktop Commander safely and limit its access?

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