Desktop Commander

The Desktop Commander MCP server enables AI assistants like the Claude desktop app to execute terminal commands, manage processes, and perform file system operations through the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

It’s built on top of the MCP Filesystem Server and extends functionality to include advanced search and replace capabilities for code editing.

Features

• 🖥️ Execute terminal commands with output streaming
• ⏱️ Command timeout and background execution support
• 🔄 Process management (list and kill processes)
• 📁 Full filesystem operations (read/write, create/list, move)
• 🔍 Advanced code search using vscode-ripgrep
• ✏️ Precise code editing with surgical text replacements
• 📊 Session management for long-running commands
• 🔒 Configurable command blacklist for security

Use Cases

• Exploring and refactoring large, complex codebases across multiple projects simultaneously
• Automating repetitive development tasks through custom terminal commands and scripts
• Performing system-wide code searches and making precise, context-aware modifications
• Managing long-running processes like build jobs or data processing tasks directly from Claude

Installation

1. Ensure you have the Claude Desktop app and npm installed.

2. Choose one of the following installation methods:

npx -y @smithery/cli install @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander --client claude

npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander setup

OR Add the following to your claude_desktop_config.json:

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

Usage

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
• create_directory/list_directory: Directory management
• move_file: Move/rename files
• search_files: Pattern-based file search
• get_file_info: File metadata
• code_search: Recursive ripgrep based text and code search

Edit Tools:

• edit_block: Apply surgical text replacements
• write_file: Complete file rewrites

For code editing, use the following format:

filepath.ext
<<<<<<< SEARCH
existing code to replace
=======
new code to insert
>>>>>>> REPLACE

FAQS

Q: How does Desktop Commander MCP differ from IDE-specific tools like Cursor or Windsurf?
A: Desktop Commander MCP works across your entire operating system, not just within a specific IDE. It allows Claude to read entire files, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and execute changes in a single operation, providing a more holistic and efficient development experience.

Q: Do I need to pay for additional API credits to use Desktop Commander MCP?
A: No, Desktop Commander MCP works with the standard Claude Desktop Pro subscription ($20/month). You won’t incur any additional costs beyond the subscription fee.

Q: Can I use Desktop Commander MCP to interact with remote servers?
A: Currently, Desktop Commander MCP is designed for local use. However, support for SSH and remote server command execution is planned for future updates.

Q: How does the code search functionality work?
A: Desktop Commander MCP uses vscode-ripgrep for recursive code or text search in folders. This provides fast, context-aware results that can help you quickly navigate and understand large codebases.

Q: Is there a way to limit which commands or directories Desktop Commander MCP can access for security reasons?
A: Yes, Desktop Commander MCP includes a configurable command blacklist feature. Additionally, work is in progress to improve configurations for allowed paths, commands, and shell environments to enhance security and customization options.